The Washington herald., 1907-12-19


well founded.
L have not been one of those who
| questioned-publiely-a statement made
by the President. It was not necessary.
He always admitted enough TO provoke
my intense opposition, and to make me
believe that his election TO the Presidency
and his continuance in that Office is
menace TO the public interests of the
country"
In these strong sentences Senator Cul-
| berson, minority leader IN the upper
house Of Congress, yesterday declared his
opinion of the President in the course Of
an impassioned speech which he made on
the floor OF the Senate during an effort
to force action on the currency question.
Thinks Majority Is Tardy.
Senator Culberson called up the resolu-
ton which he introduced on Monday di-
recting the Committee on Finance forth
with 10 institute an inquiry into the
! causes Of the recent financial stringency.
and report thereupon TO the Senate, with
such recommendations as II should de-
termine upon for measures which would
prevent the recurrence of like conditions
Senator Aldrich, chairman Of the Finance
Committee. repeated his motion Of the
previous day that the resolution be re-
| ferred 10 the committee
A spirited little colloquy ensued be-
tween the two Senators. after which Mr..
Culberson. expressing his belief in the
paramount Importance OF the resolution
and declaring that It should take pre-
| cedence over other resolutions introduced
by himself, which ask for information
concerning the measures taken to relieve
the money scarcity, launched into a short
but pointed discussion Of what he in
lferenuaIy described as the procrastina-
ton Of the majority in dealing with the
curreny question.
RecOunts Possible Causes.
Describing the suddenness with which
the crisis came on. the Senator continued:
Various reasons have been assigned FOR
the condition Of affairs BY some il is
attributed 10 lack Of elasticity in our
system OF currency. BY others II Is
ascribed 20 mere fright and panic among
bankers, which will speedily pass away
without legislation. It is said by others.
and among them I believe men high in
authority. that it is due to a conspiracy
on the part Of those who opposed recent
Congressional legislation and certain
corporate reforms. but that the move
ment now has gotten beyond their con-
troll,
1T is said finally by some that this
condition is due TO the Vaccinations Of
stock gamblers, who would decry pros
perity. who would cripple trade and
commerce in order to force the money
which is therein employed in the interior
of the country back East, where il may
be used for their speculative purposes.
Demands Immediate Action.
''As a matter of course. I do not in
tend at this time to discuss the cause
OF the panic or to express any opinion
with reference TO t1at particular matter.
It suffices for my immediate purpose 10
emphasize the necessity for an imme-
date consideration of those causes by
an authoritative body, 10 be followed
/ by prompt and speedy action on the
part CT Congress if the remedy lies
within the field of Federal legislation"
The Committee on Finance, the Sena-
| tor contended. was the proper body TO
make the desired inquiry He realized
that the motion Of Senator Aldrich would
prevail, and that accordingly there would
be no action on the matter until after
January 6. He continued:
Il want to read one sentence from the
Characteristic letter Of the President to
the Secretary Of the Treasury, dated
! November Il:
" I have assurance that the leaders OF
Congress are considering a currency bill
which will meet I'm permanent fashion
the needs of the situation, and which. I
/ believe, will be passed at an early day
after Congress convenes, two weeks
/ hence
Asks Pertinent Question.
Has there been a change on the part
of the administration. or has there been
change Of opinion on the part Of the
leaders of the majority in this chamber
and the other with reference to this
matter?"
At this point the Senator made the re-
marks concerning the President which
are quoted above He then again insisted
| upon the necessity of some action which
should carry out the promise of the Presi-
dent as made in his letter, assuming. he
said, that in this instance the Executives 3
statement was correct.
The Republican Senator's had slowly
melted away. until only fourteen OF the
majority party remained in the chamber.
Noting this condition. Senator Culberson
concluded his remarks with a demand
for a roll call TO determine the presence
Of quorum. which he questioned. with
] the avOwed object OF having a yea and
nay vote upon the question whether his
resolution should have immediate con-
| sderation. as he asked, or go TO the
/ Finance Committee in accordance with
the recommendation of the Senator from
Rhode Island
Push-buttOns Are Handy.
Then certain little electric push-buttons
provided for just such emergencies. got
busy, and shortly Republican members
began TO stroll casually into the chamber
and take their seats, for all the world as
/ If they did not know that anything was
going on. but had just happened in. Each
arose when the roll call had been con-
cluded, was recognized and entered as
present. The Vice President announced
that fifty-three Senators had answered to
their names, and, therefore. a quorum
was present
| After another little tilt between Sena-
tors Culberson and Aldrich over the
! formers suggestion that the resolution
might slumber indefinitely in the commit
tee, Mr.. Aldrich assured him that a re-
/ ha ols,fsr,