The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-18
POSTAL SAVINGS LAW
is EXPECTED AT ONCE
Senators pledged to Bill Which Will Be Debated From
December IA Until Vote Is Taken Carter of Mon
tana Has Measure in Charge
By 7. c. WELLIVER.

A postal savings bank law will prob
ably be enacted by the coming short
session OF Congress.
Not much general legislation is ex-
pected at the short session. The appro-
priation measures will occupy most OF
the time. Still, it seems likely that both
houses viii find the opportunity to pat
through a measure for postal savings
banks, and that without any prOtracted
debate
Since 1871. fer nearly forty years. the
country has been discussing the ques-
ton OF establishing postal savings
banks. ana it viii be a remarkable ac-
cOmplishment If the short session or
the Sixtieth Congress provides for a
much controversy and TO which there
has been so much opposition.
A year ago it looked as If the way to
postal savings banks were likely TO
prove a long and rough one; but the
public demand for such a system. fol-
lowing upon the depression OF a year
ago, has been so great that the situa-
ton has changed radically In the first
place public sentiment on the subject
led the Republican party at the Chi
cage convention 10 declare for a postal
savings system. In the second place
a large share Of the opposition that
used TO prevail in banking circles 10
postal savings banks has been removed.
Intelligent bankers for the most part
have been led TO see that the postal
savings bank VIII re-enfOrca the bank
ing system Of the United States instead
OF iniuring the banking business.
Uged by Bryan Idea.
Moreover. the agitation OF the plan
favored by Mr.. Bryan for Government
guarantee % deposits has undoubtedly
tended to lessen the objections hitherto
made TO postal savings banks.
Postmaster General Meyer Will ne en-
titled 10 a large measure OF credit II
the postal savings bank system is legal
~ provided TOR by Congress. He mas
hammered away from the time he en-
tered the PostOf1ce Department and has
gone to and fro and UP and down over
the country preaching the advantages
Of 1t, He has had more TO Go Ia 6r0us-
ing public sentiment as 10 the need Of
a postal savings system than any other
one man. He has been strongly backed
by President Roosevelt. who urged a
sage ana VINO Will repeat his recon-
mendation N his forthcoming message.
Postmaster General Meyer believes
that Congress will pass the postal saw
ings I'm the coming session December
a has been fixed as the date for be-
ginning general debate uInn il 10 be
continued until a vote is had. Senator
Carter OF Montana IS In charge OF the
bill and viii give il able championship.
Senators Pledged to It.
A majority of the Senators and more
are pledged to supper the bill, which
was reported last session out Of the
Senate Postohices Committee by lInan-
imOus vote How IA the Democrats
viii oppose the bill. now that il has
been Endorsed by tina Republicans IN
national convention ana made a party
measure. IS not certain, but II is not
expected there viii be serious Demo
cratic opposition.
Last session the plan Of postal savings
banks was weak in the House side for
the reason that it had opposition IN the
House Postodtce Committee, Of which
Representative Jesse Overstreet OF In