Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-08

| tOi, A.-boCAdlOI iAluI
| today introduced into the Senate his
| currency bill which for some time has
been under consideration by Republic
can members Of the senate committee
| on finance. At his request the bill was
| read at length in the Senate and very
careful attention was awarded the
reading.
Il have asked that the bill be read"
sail Mr.. Aldrich, after the reading
had been completed, 'in order that the
Senate may at once be informed of it's
provisions. I have been authorized by
the committee on finance to say that
the committee will receive and give
careful consideration to bills sent to
it, having the same purposes III view
that are sought in the bill that has
been read, and have to request SEN
ators who have such bills to present
them as at an early day as possible"
Mr.. Culherson, asked for informa-
ton about his resolution sent to the
committee on finance, directing inquiry
into the causes Of the recent financial
St-irgency.
THE committee has been busy" Mr..
Aldrich replied. land has not had time
to take up that matter"
He added that the committee had not
yet received the information called for
from the treasury department by the
resolutions which passed the Senate
previous to the Christmas recess.
Il should be glad to take up that
resolution if the Senate so desires, at
the next meeting Of the committee"
said Mr.. Aldrich.
when will the next meeting be
htld?" asked Mr.. Culberson.
Next Tuesday," responded Mr.. AL
drich; and he added that he would see
that Mr.. Culberson's resolution is in
cluded in the matters then taken up.
1t is understood that all Republican
members of the committee are in favor
of the measure, except Senator Hans
hrough, who believes that a central
bank will best solve the currency diff
t1culties.
Republican leaders in the Senate, as
a whole, are extremely hopeful Of the
early passage Of the Aldrich bill. They
declare that while they are anxious
that it should not be a partisan meas
urc yet, if Democratic opposition
should be developed to the Republican
plan, the majority will proceed to put
the bill through the Senate as a party
measure.
1t is expected there will be Demo-
cratic criticism of the Aldrich bill and
Republicans declare that they are
ready to accept any reasonable amend
ment from that source that may result
in making the bill as nearly non-par-
tisan as possible.
Senator Aldrich said today that it
was his purpose when the bill was
reported to make a statement In ex-
PLANTATION of the measures and Of his
belief as to what 1t should accomplish.
Asked for a statement as to his opin-
ion concerning the efficiency Of bonds
other than those issued by the govern
ment as securities for national bank
circulation approved by the Aldrich
bill, Chairman Fowler of the House
banking and currency committee re-
piled by quoting a number Of authori-
ties in opposition to such a plan. He
refused to add any expression Of his
own. but his manner was such as to
leave no doubt Of his antagonism to
the idea, If not to the bill. In view of
the fact that the banking and curren-
cy committee will handle the bill for
the House if it passes the Senate the
attitude of it's chairman is considered
significant.
Whether Mr.. Fowler represents the
views OF a majority Of the committee
Is not known. but 1t is understood that
there is considerable divergence of
opinion among the members.
1--Tba financial