Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-02
Mr.. DINGLEYS VIEWS
Maine Representative Discusses Prob
able National Legislation.
NO HOPE FOR MONETARY REFORM
Hawaiian Treaty Will Probably Be
Disposed of Promptly.
WILL NOT TOUCH CURA

LEWISTON, Me, December c-The Jour-
nal this afternoon prints an interview with
congressman Nelson Dingley who left for
ashinston today. Mr.. Dingley SAID: In
asnuch as this will be the first regular
session of the Fifty-fifth Congress. and
therefore the session unlimited in length by
me constitution ami laws, il is difficult to
forecast the duration
The business Of the approaching sessio,
NH be expedited by the fact thar the
House. as well as the Senate is already
fSanized and the committees appointed.
6ut the Senate has no means of un,ti,.
Debate, SO that it is always in the power OF
very few senators to greatly extend The
stllhS- see no reason now. however to
believe that this session viii continue later
Than June.
Probably bankruptcy legislation will he
the lirst to come up after such appropria-
tloh pllis as may be ready are passed. The
voluntary bankruptcy bll passed by the
senate during the extra session was re-
Ifrred TO the House judiciary committee
which may be ready to report II back be-
fore the Christmas recess
Inc House VIII probably pass a subs;i-
tute on the line OF the Torrey bill as il
did TWO years ago, and then the two hills
VIII go TO conference. Probably the confer
nee committee of the Senate and House
VIII agree on a compromise measure which
VIII become a law.
y" Monetary Legislation Possible.
III the Senate We're republican and in
harmony with the majority Of the House
on the monetary questions, / should look
LOT currency legislation, but with a free
silver majority in the Senate. antaeonistic
to the Ideas of the majority of the House
as 10 what constitutes sound currency
system. L dc not see how IL is possible 10
secure desirable currency legislation of an
important character until the Senate is
brought to harmony with the House
Possibly some desirable amendments of
the national banking law might he passed
by the Senate. The House joint resolution
for a joint committee TO consider and re-
port OH needed currency legislation passed
at the extra session is still in the hands of
the finance committee of the Senate and
may be reported back and considered by
the Senate as soon as Congress reassem-
bies.
While l. should be pleased to see legisla-
ton which would remedy the want of fieN-
ibiiity of our banking system and would
separate those functions of the Treasury
Department which relate TO the government
demahd notes and certificates used as cur
roncy from those which relate TO cA.rrent
receipts and expenditures. and thus better
protect the reserve, yet 1 believe that il is
sufficient for all immediate purposes 10
know that the administration has the power
and is determined to defend the present
monetary standard.
Indeed, with sufficient revenue to meet
all currency expenditures, shall have
in the next fiscal year, the Treasury De-
partment can accomplish the purpose indi-
Gated without any new egislatioE-legisla-
tion, however. is desirable because under
existing conditions, when government hotes
are redeemed in gold. there are only two
ways in which they can be disbursed-viz:
By purchase of government bonds for eX-
change or exchange for gold
immigration Legislation.
Immigration legislation, said Mr.. Ding
ley, lis likely to be consummated. Some
Legislation may be required to streng then
the hands of the interstate commerce COM
mission, whose power for good has been
largely taken away by the decisions of the
courts. 1t is saId that the railroads will
again urge their pooling blil.
preliminary census legislation is neces-
sary. Undoubtedly the effort TO secure the
admission of Arizona and New Mexico as
states Will be renewed. Some better form
OF government must be given Alaska, and
the Postmaster General will urge his postal
savings system"
Concerning the proposed postal savings
system, MIR. Dingley said
Il have reached no conclusion on the
question. as L want first to know more
definitely how the deposits can safely be
invested, what would be the effect on the
existing savings bank system. which has
proved 50 valuable; and whether the ten
dency OF the new system would be TO draw
capital from the more thinly populated
parts of the country (where more capita! is
required), and transfer il TO the centers of
business, already cCngested with capital, or
to make it available for use outside these
ceEterS.
Cuba and Hawaii.
UNLESS those who have convassed the
Senate are much mistaken, the Hawaiian
al neXation treaty will either be promptly
ratified by the Senate or annexation
resolution passed and Hawaii brought into
the Union "a territory.
Speaking for myself 1 think that sound
policy and the best interests of Cuba re-
quire that the question of our attitude to-
ward the island and Spain be left with
the President, who has already done much
for the Cuban cause"