Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-25
OSCAR UNDERWOOD
IS TAKEN BY DEATH
At VIRGINIA HOME
Cerebral Hemorrhage, Para
lytic Stroke and Relapse
Prove Fatal.
EX-SENATOR WAS POWER
IN u. S. POLITICS 20 YEARS
Upper Branch Adjourns Out of Re-
spect to Memory of Former
Member From Alabama.
BY tho Associated Press.

from Alabama and powerful figure in
American political life for 90 years,
died at his home, in Woodlawn, Va, this
morning after a long illness
A cerebral hemorrhage early in De-
cember, stroke of paralysis two weeks
later. from which he rallied, and a re-
lapse a few days ago brought his dis
tinguished career to an end,
The death was announced by his son
Oscar w. Underwood jr, Washington
attorney, who, with other members of
his family, had guarded the Alabama
statesman from annoyances of the Curl
Gus since his illness became serious. A
brief statement that the former Senator
had succumbed was the only word COM
ing from the home of the Underwoods.
Unconscious Two Days.
Senator Underwood died at lis this
morning. He had been unconscious for
two days. and his death had been ex-
pected since yesterday. The family
withheld notice of his condition, hope
full to the last that he would improve.
At his bedside when he died were his
wife, Mrs. Bertha w. Underwood, and
his two sons, John Lewis Underwood
and Oscar w. Underwood, jr. Mrs
John Lewis Underwood and his brother
Fred v. Underwood of Knoxville, Tenn.
Another brother, Col Sidney S. Under
wood, u. S. A. retired, was on his way
here from Atlanta, Ga, having been
notified yesterday of the seriousness of
the former Senator's condition.
Funeral arrangements had not been
even discussed early this afternoon on
account of the condition of Mrs. Under
wood. She was perceptibly shocked by
her husbands death, although it was
known to her yesterday that there was
no hope for his recovery. The body,
however, will be taken to Birmingham,
Ala, for burial in the Elmwood Gene
terry.
Although no specific time had been
set. it was thought likely that the body
will be taken to Birmingham tomorrow
on an afternoon train.
Estate Overlooks Potomac.
Woodlawn, the Underwood estate,sis.
located near Mount Vernon HIS, Va.
about Is miles south of Washington.
The house is a massive brick structure
located on the knoll of hill just off
the Washington Richmond highway
and overlooks the Potomac Esiver and
Mount Vernon, the home of Wash
ington.
Senator Underwood, noted for his
leadership of the Democratic party in
the House and Senate, took up his resi-
dence at Woodlawn, near the Mount
Vernon home of George Washington,
after he had decided to retire from the
Senate. His health had been poor for
many months, although he had made
light of it.
Mr.. Underwood assumed leadership OF
his party in the House of Representa-
fives in 1911. The tariff bill passed
during the Wilson administration bore
his name, and he was placed in nomi-
nation for the Democratic presidential
nomination at several of the party's
national conventions.
Alabama finally placed him in the
Senate, and during his service there,
he became party leader and was one
of the American delegates to the Wash
ington Arms Conference and bore
large part of the burden in the Senate
fight to have the treaties drawn up at
that conference ratified. He retired
voluntarily from the Senate, declining
to let his name go before the voters
In 1925.
Immediately upon announcement Of
the death of the former Senator the
Senate today adjourned as a mark OF
respect.
Senator Hefiin of Alabama, a COL
league of the late Senator, made the
announcement TO the Senate OF Mi.
Underwood's death. He suggested an
immediate adjournment. and Senator
Curtis of Kansas, majority leader. then
moved the adjournment as mark of
respect. Despite the anxiety of leaders
over the pending cruiser construction
bill, the adjournment was Immediately
entered into.
The Senate viii be profoundly shock
ed and grieved,' said Senator Heflin,
ito learn of the death of former
member of this body and a former
leader of the Senate. Oscar Underwood
died this morning at IL o'clock. Be-
cause of his long service in Congress
and his long service as leader of the
Democratic membership in the Senate.
suggest to the majority leader that we
now adjourn as a mark of respect"
Announcement in House.
In the House the announcement was
made by Representative Garrett OF
Tennessee, the Democratic floor leader
The House, however, went ahead with
its work
In his announcement Garrett said
ne was ''one of the very great men OF
his generation"
A tribute to the qualities of the for
Jner Senator was paid by Senator Rob-
sinson Of Arkansas, Democratic leader
of the Senate and nominee of his party
for Vice President in the recent cam
Npaign, who described him as "a faithful
friend, loyal patriot and an able, far
sighted statesman"
Tribute of Kellogg.
Secretary Kellogg, who was associat.
ed with Mr.. Underwood in the Senate
said: His counsel was sought and ad.
vice needed on public questions which
lay beyond the limits of party politics
in the passing of Senator Underwood
the country has lost one of its grea
men and one of its most conscientiou!
servants"
One OF the towering figures in Con.
gress during his day. Oscar w. Under.
wood attained national prominence
through unusual qualities of statesman
ship and marked capacity as a leader
Concededly one of the ablest men c
his party, his name was brought for
ward repeatedly for the Democratic
presidential nomination. but geographi.
cal boundaries were regarded as barring
the way despite the fact that he received
much OF his support from the North anC
Last. Although born in Kentucky anl
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