The Washington herald., 1908-05-15
House Leaders Force Cur
rency Measure Through.
TURN LAUGH ON DEMOCRATS
Vigorous Debate Characterizes the
Houses Passage OF a Money BiIl.
for Once-BiII May BE Replaced in
the Senate by AIdrich Measure.

Was pdhStu b9 lilS f1EuSt ycSI6IudJ alleT
its provisions had been bitterly attacked
by Democrats and recalcitrant Republi-
cans. The vote on the passage of the bill
was 1S4 to l45.
Under the terms Of this measure clear
ing-house associations composed of not
less than ten national banks may issue
emergency currency on the basis of any
securities held by the banks, including
commercial paper. the total amount OF
such currency authorized being $500, ,O00. 600
The bill viii now go to the Senate,
where it Is probable that the Aldrich bin
will be substituted for It as an amend
ment. This will send the measure to con-
ference, and it is the understanding that
the eonferees will frame a compromise
measure which viii be placed on the
statute books before the end of next
week.
Not an 80 was dotted or a ''t'' crossed
by the House in its consideration OF the
measure. This was practically certain.
in view Of the fact that the bill was re-
drafted TO suit the objections Of the Re
publican membership. and was approved
in that form at the Republican confer
enee last Monday night
Vigorous assaults on the bill were made.
Representative Prince. of Illinois. a Re
publican. declaring that ii was an Insult
to the Committee on Banking and Curren-
cy, OF which he is a leading member
Sixteen Republicans refused to support
the measure on the final vote. They were
Campbell, Calderhead, and Murdock, OF
Kansas; Cooper, Kuestermann. Morse. and
Nelson, Of Wisconsin, Darragh and Nc
Moran. of Michigan; Fowler. Of New
Jersey, who is chairman Of the Banking
and Currency Committed Henry and Hi,
Of Connecticut: Keifer and Weems. OF
Ohio: Prince. Of Illinois. and Waldo. OF
New York.
A FURRY at the start.
There was a furry when the House met
and the bill was not called up. The
fact was that the official copy OF the
measure was lost Where It had gone
nobody was able 10 explain Represent
ative Freeland had retained the manu-
script draft of his measure, however. and
with this he hustled to the Government
Printing Office. where he dictated the text
to compositors. and with a fresh original
dashed back TO the House and started
things going.
But a real thriller came at the end OF
the lively debate, when the Republicans
played a low-down political trick on the
Democrats.
Minority Leader Williams had been
taunted for not Offering as a substitute
for the Vreeland bill tthe currency meas
ure prepared or approved by William
Jennings Bryan, and introduced by him
self. In spite OF the fact, however, that
the resolution governing the consideration
Of the currency question provided that
the Bryan-Williams bill might be voted
on, Mr. Williams announced that the
Democrats preferred 70 choose their own
substitute, instead OF having the Repub-
leans do so, and his bin would not be
proposed.
He feared Greeks who come bearing
gifts" he said Then Whip Watson. OF
the Republicans. sprang his surprise. At
his instance Representative Kahn, Of Cal
ifornia, a Republican, offered the Bryan
Williams measure as a substitute for the
Vreeland bill.
4 Laugh on Minority.
It was funny to everybody except the
Democrats. to see the bombsher effect in
the ranks OF the minority. There was an
uproarlous time for a while. A Republi-
can called for the yeas and nays, and
his party associates responded with
yell of JOY. When Adair, OF Indiana,
the first Democrat on the roll an
swered present" thus Indicating that his
side Of the chamber intended to sidestep
the issue presented. even if that action
seemed to reflect upon their peerless lead
er, there was a hilarious outburst from
the majority
When John Sharp Williams name was
called he answered 'No" from force of
habit an apparent reputation Of his own
child. The Republicans yelled again
few seconds later Mr.. Williams was
rushing down the aisle. vigorously pro-
testing that he had voted mo" through
error Pointing his finger at the tally
clerk, he shouted. THAT vote is present
present." whereat there was more Re
publican laughter and derisive shrieking.
Speech! Speech" called the Repub-
leans, as John Sharp turned smilir ~
to face his tormentoTs. John Sharp was
willing but ran counter to cries Of Reg
ular order" and he j to take his seat.
The BTyan-Williams substitute was re-
jeeted, of course. yeas and 2s2 nays.
with SS answering present" The six
faithful Democrats who voted for the
substitute were Brundldge, Floyd, and
TD-k aF Al. - T.
Davenport of Oklahoma, and Hackett of
North Carolina. After that the Vree-
land bin was passed and the House ad-
journed
In the debate on the resolution limiting
the debate, Mr.. Vreeland said that the
measure carried out the Presidents rec
for an emergency circula-
ton and a commission TO provide for re-
vising the banking and currency system
or the country.
Mr.. Prince. of Illinois, second Repub- |
lican member on the Banking and Cur |
rency Committee, made the principal |
speech In opposition. He protested that |
1t was an insult to that committee.
Only a Few Want II.
Only a few of the leaders wanted the |
bill. he declared. Millions of letters had |
been received by Congressman asking |
that wood pulp be put on the free list /
and that something be done regarding
the Sherman law and the Issuance of
.njunctions, but these had met with no I
response from those who. when the people /
asked for bread, gave them stone. Three +
Cannon, Sherman. and Dal. 4
responsible for ali legislation, /
be said.
Mr. Williams accused the Republicans :
Of playing to the galleries.
Representative Burton, of Ohio, reused /
the Republicans to a high state of en- /
.husiasm In closing the debate.
Hill. Of Connecticut, Republican mem
Der OF the Banking and Currency Com
nittee opposed the bill, and caused /
laughter when he read this telegram;
Il. ~ -ksg--