Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-26
.0vERSTREET TALKS
A Good Word for Gen. Luke
E. Wright.
FINANCIAL QUESTION
WOULD LIKE TO SEE LEGIsLA-
TON, BUT TT IS NOT ESSENTIAL.
Prosperity Will Continue Even If No
Currency Bill Passes-Industrial
Condition Admirable.

Representative Overstreet Of Indiana, sec
retary of the national republican congress
sional campaign committee, is in the city
today. Mr.. Overstreet is east on private
business and will remain in Washington
probably until Friday.
II was glad to see that Gen. Luke E.
Wright of Tennessee has accepted the pres
idency of the Philippine commission to sue
ceed Judge Taft" said Mr.. Overstreet to a
Star reporter today. Here is a democrat
of prominence, an ex-confederate and a
man Of conservatism and influence taking
up the work in behalf of the Filipinos
which was commenced by Mckinley and
continued by Roosevelt. 1t should be a
guarantee to the men of Gen. Wrights own
political faith who have opposed our policy
in the Philippines that we are right in that
policy. and that the criticisms which have
been indulged in by democrats and against
us are wrong.
1T is evidence to conservative people that
Gen. Wright, being on the scene, has found
that the United States government, under
this administration and the one immedi-
ately preceding 1t, is dealing with the Phil
ippine problem correctly. If it were not SO,
Gen. Wright would not remain in the is
lands as the head of the administrative
commission. The democrats have abused
the republican administration severely for
its Philippine policy. l am frank to say
that we have not always enjoyed our posi-
ton. 1t has been a difficult one at times,
but we have stuck to it because it was
right"
As to Financial Legislation.
Mr.. Overstreet is deeply interested in the
financial question. He was leader IN the
movement which resulted in the gold stand
ard legislation Of 1900. is member of the
committee on banking and currency of the
House and regarded as one of the practical
legislators on financial subjects. When
asked today his opinion upon the necessity
Tor further legislation, Mr.. Overstreet said:
'Of course, l would be glad to see addi-
tlonal currency legislation and would deem
1t advisable. At the same time l want to
emphasize my opinion that it is not nee
essary to the continuance Of prosperity.
There are two main features of the finan-
cial situation:
First, the certainty and security Of our
currency.
Second. the freedom Of its circulation.
Now. the certainty and security of the
currency is assured by the legislation al
ready on the statute books, especially the
gold standard act Of 1900. There cannot
be doubt nor even the shadow or ghost
of a doubt, as to the absolute stability of
our currency. 1t is founded on rock bot
tom and cannot be assailed or shaken
The freedom of circulation can be Sc
cured by continuance Of public confidence.
Why should not public confidence con-
tinue? There is nothing in the Industrial
conditions of this country to menace pros
perity. The banking conditions are much
better today than they were one year
ago. The little furry in Wall street
makes no impression whatver on the west
1t has not caused as much commotion in
industrial and financial circles as the fall
ing of an autumn leaf. Let public con-
fidence continue and we will have no cause
to complain of the freedom of circulation
Industrial Conditions.
industrial conditions throughout the
country west of the Suspuehanna river are
in every way admirable The country
seems to be in fever of industrial activ-
ity Men are busy everywhere, working
night shifts as well in the daytime
The crops are splendid, railroads are taxed
to their utmost to move the accumula ton
OF freight at every point and on every
hand is indication of thrift and industry'' ~