The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-01-29
A GREAT AMERICAN IS DEAD.

In priyate conversation while at Juneau in 1928 President Harding declared that Senator Oscar w. Underwood was one of the greatest men f not the greatest man, in public life in the United States He discussing available Democrats for the Presidency at d time when he fully expected to be the Republican nominee in The succeeding election President Harding s estimate Of the great American statesman who died last Friday is that most Americans. Ii is safe to say that the best informed of our people who did not think that Senator Underwood was entitled 10 first place among living American statesmen would readily agree that he among the foremost Of them.
 With brilliant, erudite and we'll ballasted mind. tralned by lifetime of hard and effective work character whose honesty and patriotism undiluted and courage that was never even timid no man ever entered the public service better equipped to serve his country effectively than Senator Underwood. And in his time gave better accounting of his talents. No Congressional leader of recent times, Democrat or Republican, has even approached the record of accomplishment that made by MT. UnGer- wood as leader of the House Of Representatives during the first wilson Administration With a party majority So large that if believed to be unwieldg, he set out in 1913 to translate his party piallarm into definite legislation, and
  writers whose works have come nnder our notice declare that the task was performed almost or quite perfectly in letter well as sliTit.
 MT. Underwood won his legislative battles without creating animosities. He won because he mastered his subjects and inspired confidence in his fellow members. He advocated what he be- iieved nnd his advocacy masterly and in such agreeable temper that personal feeling and passion rarely, fl ever, appeared in the debates. Notwithstanding that his leadership was pro gressiye and hard-wcrking leadership, he finished the four years that he led the House Of Repre- sentatiYes. majority without an enemy on either side of the chamber,
 Tho Empire has always contended that the greatest Wilson mistake was in not making Mir Underwood Secretary of State when MT Bryan resigned hat office in 1915 He should have been appointed and the President ought to have leaned heavily upon him after naming him. No in the Democratic Party was so well equipped in ability experience and temperament for thc position. If that had been done it is not at all improbabie that the popularity of the Will son Administration would never have waned and that Mr Underwood would have succeeded to the Presidency in 1921. And what President he would have made!
 t was, politically, unfortunate that Mr Under wood found it necessary to cross swords, in the only personal controversy he ever had in his Con gressiona career with William j. Bryan though he could have done nothing that more completely proved his mettle and worth a statesman. 1t would have been impossible for of Mir. Under woods sound and orderly mind horse sense and courage, to serve his country, as he believed to be right and be supporter of the vagaries of the evanescent Bryan Following his fixed habit of trying to stamp reactionary and interest controlled every one that had not taken orders in all things from him, MT. Bryan, when the Democrat gained control Of Congress, denounced Nh. Underwood in his Commoner newspaper eentending that he was Democrat and asked the Democratic members not to make him the party leader. Mr. Underwood in the House, claimed the floor on 2 matter of personal priv ilege, and answered Mir. Bryan lie did not mince words His answer was so eomnlete and con yincing that tie controversy went no further However, Atr Bryans influence with rural voters was so great that the fact that he was against Mir. Underwood probably more than anything else prevented the latter from hing the eminence within his party to which his attain meDts character and services entitled him
 Senator Underwood was fortunate in his se lection of Birmingham a residence when he did He almest Immediately acquired a lucrative law practice, and with it opportunity for investment in d town that became great city He accumu- lated competenre in early life When he went into the public service he was relieved Of worry over finances He had ample time to read and study. Consequently he became profound scholar master of economics and history and the matters that were subjects of Legislation and executive action
 II will De long time before Americans ce,se to mourn Oscar ". Underwood. His death was q sererf Natienal 'loss.