The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-18
Fate of Currency Legislation
Rests With Attitude of Burton
Ohio Representative, Opposed to the Aldrich Bill VIII
Be the Dominant Force Among House
@M Republicans. ga

One man in Congress practically holds
the fate Of currency legislation at this
session of Congress In the hollow OF his
hand. This man is not Senator Aldric}s
OF Rhode Island. Nor yet is 1t Speaker
Cannon. who, with the aid of the Rules
Committee, had a great part in forcing
the modified Vreeland bill through the
House. II is Representative Theodore
Burton OF Ohio, who was put on the
Banking and Currency Committee this
session. and who is d member OF the
special committee selected by the Repub-
lican conference 10 draft a currency
measure
The matter of whether an emergency
currency bill is passed this session is
hanging in the balance. The scales may
fall either way Tho Senate has substi-
tuted the AldTich bill. with amendments,
for tho bill that went through the House.
and the question has gone 10 conference
Some apprehension IS felt that tho Sen
ate Democrats may fight against adop-
tion Of the conference report, providing
one is agreed on by the conferees, but
the real worry OF the Republican leaders
. who want cur ency legislation is what
viii be done by those House Republi-
cans that are antagonistiC TO the Aid
rich bill.
A lot OF talk has been INDUCED in 10
| the effect the conEerees would agree on
the Aldrich bill. and that Speaker can
| non and his aides would try 10 Jam the
| Aldrich bill down the House throaT
| when II came TO the House with the
| sanction Of the conference committee.
| If this plan is attempted, there may be
| anticipated such a hght in the House
as has not been seen this session. and
/ it is extremely prObable that currency
! legislation viii fau 10 the ground.
Opposes Aldrich Bill.
Representative Burton. IN addressing
the House the other day. committed
himself against the Aldrich bill. He
said If an attempt were made to put IT
through the House, II would have 10 be
done without his support or his vote
/ This IS taken 20 mean that he would
lead a night against IT. and II is gen
orally believed by those that have OBJ
served the situation closely, that enough
insurgent Republicans would flock Il
his assistance 10 prevent the Adoption
OF any conference report that agreed L,
the Aldrich measure
on the other hand. II the cOnfefe eI
! make such notifications OF the AlGrlcl
(. bill as TO enable Mr.. Burton Z" ap
| prOVa it, his influence with thOSt Ike
! nuGIiCgns in the House who inCli 1e q
b Independence will no doubt be ade
} uuate 10 bring about the adoption or IN
/ conference report, and hence legislation
| 1t has TO be borne in mind, or course
p | that with the close Of the session nea
az hand a small body OF Senate Demo
P Gratis Il in position 10 make trouble j
2 Il chOOss 10 do so. Ghe signs are. no"
| ever that the opposition IN the 5enal
: 10 VIVA ever the cOnfeTees report Wi
/ not be carried 20 the point OF trying I
Mr., Rurton's position in the House
% unusual He IS easily the man WI
, | dominates the situation there toda
4 with reference to currency LEGISLATOR
. He has risen TO this place by the snee
% force of mis- intellect and the conhdenc
| that his colleagues repOse IN MS luleE
: ! ritv of purpose and his good judgment
4 Moreover, ne Is recognized as ma
| VINO has gone deeply into the study =
I | the currency question, and the Whoi
70 garnut OF financial problems. He . IN
. author or an able financial WoTk, an
= | has long been a close student OF banE
, ing and currency problems
) Goes TO the Bottom.
It is characteristic Of Mr.. Burton tina
. when he takes up a question befor
! Congress TO deal with il seriously,
. goes 10 the bottom Of It. This has bee
shown by his work as chairman OF IN
/ Rivers and Harbors Committee. This
he has mastered the rivers and harboT
probIens Of the country IS conceded b
70 an OF his colleagues In Congress the
e NAV not all accede to his views VII
i / reference 10 some improvements, po
! they do not dlspaTdge ms STOCK OF "
: In Tie present 2anicky condition {
! | mind OF the House Republicans on n
: | subject OF emergency currency WI
. | many o. them fearing what course
| take and most OF them not well-iE