The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-17
CURRENCY TINKERS
Meet at Atlantic City Today to For
muIate Reforms.

Atlantic City, N J., April 1.-THE
comrHfttee on monetary legislation ap-
pointed at a caucus of the Republican
members of the national house of repre-
sentatives shortly before the adjourn
ment of congress will begin its session
in this city today General David B.
Henderson, of Iowa, is chairman, and
the other members of the committee are
as follows: John Dalzel1, Pennsylvania;
Serene z. Payne, New York; Jesse
Overstreet, Indiana; William Lowering,
Massachusetts; Charles Curtis. Kansas;
Page Morris, Minnesota; Eugene F.
Loud, California; R. P Hawley, Texas;
J. w. Babcock, Wisconsin, and Kerr,
Ohio The committee is considered to
ernbody the sound financial thought of
the Republican side of the house. Messrs-
Henderson and DaIzeu make, with
Speaker Reed, majority of the COM
Tnittee on rules: Mr.. Payne is chairman
of the committee on ways and means,
and several others are representative
business men who are in sympathy with
the movement to put the monetary
standard beyond attack
Hadden Hall. one of the largest hotels
on the beach front, is the headquarters
of the committee, and the meetings will
be held in one of the parlors. The gath
erings will be private and will probably
be irregular The work assigned to the
members partakes more of the nature
of a conference, and as the committee
is not a public one, it will only give out
such news for publication as best suits
its purpose 1t is expected that the ses-
siOns will last not less than two weeks,
and they may extend much longer.
The committee may decide to perfect
a bill to meet the situation, or may out
line a measure and then adjourn to
meet again later in the year They will
have all of the important bills on the
currency question that were before the
last congress, including the bill of the
monetary commission; the McCleary
bill, which was reported favorably to
the house by the banking committee:
the Hill bill, which was given a favora-
BILE report by the house coinage COM
mittee; the bill prepared by Secretary
Gage, and the bill of Chairman Walker,
of the committee on banking, who is no
longer q member of congress.
Mr.. Overstreet, who has given the
subject much attention, has prepared a
comparison of the principal features of
all these bills, which will be of much
value to the committee. There has also
been secured from the treasury depart
ment a great mass of valuable financial
data, including the reports of the secre-
taries. comptrollers of the currency and
directors of the mint In addition, the
committee will have at it's command a
complete codifcation Of the existing
currency laws.
It is expected that many distinguish
ed fnanciers will have an opportunity
to appear before the committee and pre-
sent their views on the subject of the
expansion of the currency. the establish
ment of the gold standard and other
matters to be considered.
NJ. H. Hanna and other representa-
tives of the executive committee of the
Indianapolis monetary committee will
be here during the sessions to urge the
bill of the monetary commission This
bill was framed by a commission of
which Senator George F. Edmunds was
chairman, and which included ex-Secre-
tary E'airchild, of New York; C Stuart
Patterson. of Philadelphia; John W.
Fries, of North Carolina, and other fin
anciaI experts
Mr.. Hanna was directed at a meeting
of the Indianapolis executive commit
tee, to urge the adoption of the entire
programme of the monetary commits
sion, but if this does not appear posi-
bic to accept notifications not incor-
sIstent with the principles of the bill.
These principles relate to the enactment
of the gold standard into law the pro
lection of the treasury against gold
raids by means of a more definite and
greater provision for greenbacks and
currency for the future of the expanded
republic It is said to be probable that
each of these topics will be considered
in turn by the caucus committee, but
just how far they will go is not yet de-
termined
The fact that the leadership of the
house is represented in the makeup of
IN a great degree bind the Republican
party, may produce a conservative ten
dency, but the pressure for some means
Of meeting currency needs is being
strongly felt in Washington, and the
treasury officials are reported as de-
termined to urge upon the committee
the necessity of making full provision
for putting the currency on an enduring
basis.