The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-26
NO RADICAL CHANGES.
wJFsT THE MONETaRF COMHfS-
SION WTLL RECOMMEND.
The Changes VIII be of a Character SO
Gradual That No Disturbance In u
nanciaI AGairs WIN be Created.

WASHINGTON. j. c., oct. 2.-Thc
Monetary Commission has been steaniiy
az work since 80 rcconyencd az the At
lington Hotel, on october 18th.
Each of the subcommittee has made
considerable progress in the investigation
OF the subjects assigned 10 f.. PartiAi
reports from these subcommittee nave
been submitted TO the whole commission
and generally discussed.
Were the work OF tho Commission SIM
ply 10 determine what would he an ldeal
currency and banking system us TASK
would be much simpler but 10 IS one thing
10 form n measure that one man OF
number Of mon believe TO be just rsAi'
and another thing TO form measure that
will 20 through Congress and meet WIN
general popular support
Upon this subject there has been con-
siderable discussion in the commission as
TO whether 70 should coninc Itself TO the
recommondation of such measure or
measures as 90 believes Congress viii pass
a. its session or devise what Il believes
10 be an ideal system OF currency and
banking which shall serve as basis Tor
not only such legislation as Congress IS
willing 20 enact at present but for an
future legislation upon the subject.
GRADUAL CHANGES.
one thing that has been made perfectly
clear by the discussions up 60 date is that
the commission viii not recommend that
Congress undertake any radical changes
In the monetary system Of the country
that would bee likely 20 produce fuctua-
ton Of prices or uncertainties as to the
future Whatever changes are recon-
mendod will be of a character so gradual
that the changes will not create amy dis
turbancc IN financial or commercial ar
fairs Such changes can be made The
more readily because under the present
prosperous conditions. with the balance
Of trade in our favor. there seems no
likelihood Of "a financial stringency or
commercial disturbance for some years
20 come. and there is no immediate need
OF a radical change. This condition of
THINGS makes 10 possible TO adopt such
measures as viii provide against posi-
bic dangers in the future such as the
country has recently passed through ana
institute gradual reforms, with ample
time. 10 carry them out during the Pc
Rod Of prosperity.
The wisdom Of tho commissions plan
Of sitting at Washington and there re-
ceivinp suggestions and taking testimony,
instead 81 travelling about the country,
has been demonstrated The necessity
Of travelling commission was very
largely obvlated by the eeograpf ical DIS
trlbution Of the membership.
WELL REPRESENTED.
Every section of the country is repre-
scented on the Commission, and represent
ed by the men most thoroughly nm touch
with the business affairs of their own
territory, and most familiar with its con-
ditions and needs. The suggestions and
appeals that have reached the commits
sion by mail have come from every state
I'm the Union and from al classes OF pco-
Die. Farmers. business men, bankers,
and students have written calling atten-
ton 10 this or that need, or making sug-
gcstions that they believe would be of
value.
The newspapers throughout the coun-
try have also. as "a general thing, express
I'd themselves very freely upon the sub
3ect. rejecting in large measure the
opinions Of their constituency. And I'm
this way the members of the commission
feel that they have gained very fair
index Of popular opinion upon the various
phases Of the currency and banking ques-
lions before them.