The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
POSTAL SAVINGS
 BANKS FAVORED

Washington. December 15.-Senator Car ter today spoke in support of the postal savings bank bill. After referring to the various inducements by political conven- tfons and other organizations of postal savings banks, MT. Carter said that while there are only ,452 savings banks, there are more than 6lO00 postoffices, 4o,0O0 of which are money order offices"
 He declared that postal savings banks are in operation in practically all civilized countries of the world except the United States. He proposed, he said, to offer amendments to the bill reducing from SlO00 to $5O0 the amount any person may de- posit in postal banks with interest, and from s200 to s100 the amount that may be deposited in any one month, and also to strike out the provision allowing per sons to deposit money as trustees These amendments, he said, would remove three objections that have been made to the bill. Mr Carter read a circular signed by Lucien Toter, chairman of the com- mittee on postal savings banks of the American Bankers association, calling on bankers to oppose the bill pending in the Senate for the establishment of postal savings banks.
 T acquit the American Bankers asso- citation of the statements made in this circular" said MT. Carter. He then read from the circular, which requested members of the American Bankers asso- ciation to present the enclosed argu- ments against postal savings banks to the local newspapers requesting that they hp a editorial ssyNrifa v This circular, the Senator said, exhibiting the printed slips, has the following caution ary notice
 Please remove this slip before hand ing to newspapers"
 'The puropse of this cautionary notice," said MT. Carter, was to have the local banker slip up on the blind side of the paper and to relieve this committee from responsibility for loose statements used"
 He added that he would publish all of these circulars in the Congressional Rec ord so that they could be seen by the public. Senator Carter. speaking at 2 clock, when the unfinished business was laid before the Senate, moved the con- sideration of the postal savings bank bill and, his motion being carried, the meas ure became the unfinished business of the Senate, displacing the joint resolution suspending the commodity clause of the interstate commerce law.
 The objections urged against the estab- lishment of postal savings banks in this country, MT. Carter said, had been urged against their establishment in Great Bri- tain, but now there was no sentiment against them there. All political parties, he said, committed to the principle of the postal savings bank, and in closing his remarks he urged the passage of the bill as an aid to the class of citizens hot xrir1o of tha icto 70 congress-.
 Senator Depew also spoke in support of the bill. He declared that it could not be considered experimental because postal savings banks were operating in nearly every country except the United States.
 The bill has been in conference since the last session of congress.
 An attempt to have both houses agree to the report before holiday adjournment will be made as the original section Is made to become effective January l, 1909