The Washington herald., 1907-01-08

Vigorous criticism Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury. and a bolt on the part OF
the Georgia members Of Congress were
features at a lively caucus held in the
minority room at the Capitol yesterday
Several weeks ago Secretary Shaw !ndl-
Gated that he would indorse a proposition
for a United States subtreasury IN the
Southern States If the members from that
section could get together. They made an
attempt al it yesterday afternoon.
Before It was over the Georgia members
seized their hats and coats and rushed
from the minority room, several Of them
declaring that there would be no sub
treasury. When the Georgians had de-
parted the Alabamians, South Carolinians.
and Tennesseeans got down 10 business.
and on the seventh ballot selected Biz
mingham, Ala, as the place for the new
subtreasury.
The Ways and Means Committee usnl
hold a meeting this morning 10 hear argu-
ments IN favor Of Birmingham Atlanta
representatives may also be present. but
with the prestige Of caucus Endorsement
behind the city, Birmingham hopes %
carry of the prize in the unexpected event
that any bill is passed.
Georgia has two cities striving after the
subtreasury location--Atlanta and Savan-
nah. The delegation could not agree as to
which should have its unanimous SUP
port, and, therefore, drew up a resolution
to the effect that they would not enter a
caucus which would be binding but do
sired 10 consider the meeting as merely A
conference. The members from the other
three States declared that the Secretary
Of the Treasury desired that an agreement
be reached, and Representative Under
wood. of Alabama. urged that a vote be
taken on his motion that whatever CITY
should be selected by the caucus would
have the Endorsement and united support
Of the caucus
Georgia Members Protest
Senator Clay. Representative Living
ston, and other Georgia members pro-
tested against this course. and the Sen
ator made d speech citing the fact that
he did not know who was entitled TO
vote, and he thought the Secretary Of the
Treasury should designate the exact
States In the new subtreasury territory.
This brought out letters and statements
from six or seven Of the members. to the
effect that Secretary Shaw had given out
number Of conflicting interviews At
one time IL was declared that he was
simply for district including the States
Of Alabama. Georgia, and South Carolina.
Then, It was stated. Tennessee was
added. The next thing some Of the mem.
bers knew there was a proposition 10 in
Finally the Secretary was quoted as be-
ing perfectly Indifferent as 10 what States
were brought in; IN fact, he was willing
70 leave it to the entire Democratic side,
or, for that matter, the entire Congress
sional membership.
Latimer DenOunces shaw.
Senator Latimer. Of South Carolina,
was especially vigorous in his denuncia-
tion of the alleged vacillating course Of
Secretary Shaw. THE Secretary" said
the Senator, got US into this scrape. No
one knows where he stands to-day or to-
morrow We are simply Jemporizing and
fooling with man with no backbone. We
ought TO throw him down and spurn his
Offer
At this point Representative Under
wood, Of Alabama, renewed his motion
for vote making the result Of the meet
ing binding. and the Georgia members
left the room.
Tennessee divided its twelve votes
equally between Birmingham and Co
lumbia, giving the former city one ma
jority- The selection of Birmingham was
then, upon the motion Of Representative
Lever, Of South Carolina, made unani-
nous.