The Washington times., 1908-12-20
Insurgents, Plus AdniiniStra-
ton and Taft, Stagger
Senate Leadership.
POSTAL SAVINGS
MEASURE TO PASS
Rhode Islander Admits Himself
Powerless-Will Attempt
TO Amend 1t.
BY J. c. WELLIvER.


The Senate insurgents. plus President
elect Taft, plus the outgoing Admins
tratIon, have succeeded thus early in
the short session in administering
sharp defeat 10 the Aldrich-Hale lead
crship Of the Senate.
The postal savings bank bill is to be
passed, because Senator AIdrich has
discovered that he has not the power
To defeat it.
This confession is made just after the
adjournment for the holiday recess.
The Western Senators, who feel that
the passage or The bin is necessary 10
keep the faith pledged in the Chicago
platform, viii have their way. They
stood pat, refused TO be terrorzed. and
made t plain that they were prepared
to force a final issue on this PROPOSE
tion.
Confronted with .i.r prospect-almost
the certainty-of a defeat which would
overthrow him as the leader Of the Sen
ate, the Rhode Islander has decided to
permit the measure 20 pass, but TO
make an effort TO secure important
amendments
victors Not Content.
The very Senators. who have been
fighting for this legislation we're dis
posed to be disEusted when the word
was passed today that Aldrich ha6 de
cided TO withdraw opposition. They
We're so confident OF a big and telling
victory, if the fight went on. that they
did not want to be deprived of their
glory. Senator Aldrich. instead Of holc-
ing his position. retired from the field
as soon as he saw that defeat was
pretty certain, and viii make stand
I'm some more favorable place, 10 defend
his leadership against the insurgent
attacks
The story or the postal savings bank
legislation is an odd one. Originally a
Democratic proposal. il had no chance
I'm Congress. Then last summer the
Republicans stole it and put IL in their
platform as an autidotc 10 the Bryan
guarantee of deposits proposal. As soon
as IL had served this purpose. the Sena-
t0riaI conservatives proposed 10 drop
81. making the plea that the monetary
commission IS working on a general
financial reform scheme, and ought not
10 be interfered with by any patch
work efforts at reform. 50 long as its
conclusions have not been reached.
Moreover, Senator Aldrich. who has
been a great deal i'm Germany in con-
nection with the commission investi-
Gs ton. thought he had discovered Il
better scheme OF postal savings banks
there. than the one proposed for this
country by the Carter bill. II is an
adaptation Of the German fOISbank plan.
which ne hoped TO work out for this
country.
Admitted Defeat
So when the session opened. and il be-
came known that the Aldrich-HaIe
forces were opposed to the postal bank
bill. 10 was promptly assumed that as
usual they would have their way.
But the younger element had discov-
cred its advantages. In the first place,
Senator Garter. who usually runs with
the machine was enthusiastic for his
bill He honestly wanted it passed. and
was ready to fight for it. The insurgents
were for il, and a number Of men who
ordinarily stand with the organization
felt that they must vote to carry out the
party pledges Appraisal OF the oppos-
ing forces convinced the insurgents that
they stood 10 win in contest; and
30. with the bill in the advantageous
position OF being unfinished business.
they were ready to force the struggle
after the recess.
senator AAQtltA4 saw Ills ulS-Au dAAAeL-7ts
End allowed the leaders Of insurgency
10 know that he would drop his fight
against the bill. But he indicated that
he wanted some amendments before al
lowing it TO pass.
Proposed Amendments.
These include:
\ provision that not over 500 shall
be deposited in one account. The Cart
er bill allows a maximum Of $1,000
A provision that not over 500 of this
shall draw interest; perhaps not over
St0O.
A provision that all such deposits
shall be assessable locally where they
are made
A strict requirement. that all such de-
posIts in the postal banks shall be re-
deposited by incorporated banks in the
zane communities
The effect of these amendments would
be greatly 10 weaken the measure; prac-
1.caIIy. indeed, TO reduce 1t to the scope
OF q Government guarantee Of deposits,
v pithout interest.
The insurgents are not by any means
prepared to accept such amendments;
bat they may decide 10 allow them to
be put on the bill in the Senate, pro-
N.ded they can secure assurances that
the House viii cut them out again; then
the bill will go to conference, where the
insurgents feel pretty sure they can
save it in pretty good FORM
At any rate. the Senatorial leadership
has been maneuvred into an uncOmfort-
Phle situation. and is right now trying
10 get away without a serious loss OF
prestige. The independents. recosniz-
ing their advantage, and anxious Cor a
victory which will be impressive, are
going 20 press their case as lard rs
possible