Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-02-27
OWEN OF OKLAHOMA IN TILT
WITH ALDRICH ON A
FINANCE BILL.
STEPHENSON PRESENTS PRO
TEST AGAINST CENTRAL
PENSION AGENCY.
LA TOILETTE IMPROVES AND
WILL SOON RETURN TO
WORK.

.versial tits, accompanied the deliv-
cry in the senate yesterday of COM
prehensive speech upon the pending
currency bill by Senator Robert l..
Owen of Oklahoma.
During the first portion Of his adj
dress, Senator Owen laid stress upon
his connection with an emergency
currency provision, of which he was
the author and which former Senator
Jones introduced in the senate in
1900. He declared that IF that
bill had been adopted the recent pan
ic might have been prevented"
Several senators took part in the
controversies with Senator Owen
and among them Senator Aldrich,
who entered into an exchange of
words with Senator Owen as to the
reasons why the bill under consider,
alton did not permit the use of gov
eminent bonds as a basis for emer-
gency currency, and said that such
bonds are used for national bank
circulation He added that only 81
per cent. of such possible circulation
is now taken out, leaving a consider
able amount that may be had by the
banks. Upon the conclusion Of Sen
ator Aldrich's statement, Senator
Owen terselv replied.
"The explanation is sufficient"
Currency legislation was the chief
topic before the senate. For nearly
three hours Senator Owen spoke on
the Aldrich bill He received close
attention from the senators and was
frequently interrupted with ques-
tons, which led to spirited debate.
The Indian appropriation bill re,
ceiYed the consideration of the senate
read through.
More Protests From Veterans.
Senator Stephenson continues to re-
ceive memorials and petitions extern
sively signed from various G.. A. r.
posts against the closing of the Mil
waukee pension agency. Senator
Stephenson is opposed to the central
ization at Washington of a general
Office to disburse pension checks. He
believes that the present system is
best from all points of view, best
for the pensiOner, inSuring speedy
payment and best from an economic
view point in that it costs less to the
government under the present sys-
tenn Of disbursement than under the
proposed central branch with head
CIIa ri of i'm or
Stephenson laid before the senate
protests against the change in ex-
isting methods of paying pensions
from G. A. R. posts in Appleton,
Marshfeld, Sturgeon Bay, South MI
waul1ee, Mansion, Chiffon, Mtlwau
kee, Merrill, La Crosse. Kenosha and
National Soldiers home.
La Toilette improves.
Senator La Toilette is still con-
fined to his home with grip. 1t was
reported in his committee room yes
terday by his secretary that the SEN
ator is much better and only awaits
favorable weather to venture to the
capitol.
Kuestermann Favors Canteen.
General debate on the army appro-
pr.ation I'LL in the house again fur
nished opportunity for free express
sion Of opinion on the issues of the
day. Mr.. Garrett of Tennessee and
MI. Paul of North Carolina arraigned
the republican party for its policies
with regard to the tariff, while Mr..
81
financial system of the United States
''as patchwork" and the Aldrich bill
as failing far short of the remedial
legislation needed"
The only remarks pertinent to the
army bill were made by Mr.. Parker
of New Jersey, who favored the
proposition to increase the pay or
officers and men and Mr. Kuester-
mann of Wisconsin in support Of the
restoration of the canteen.
The seven hours allowed for gen
eral debate on the bill expire today,
when the measure will be read for
amendment.
To Consider LitIey Charges.
Representative L;lley of Connect
cut appeared before the house com
mittee on rules in executive session.
and made a statement intended as q
general substantiation of his pub
lished charges that wrongful methods
had been used by the Electric Boat
company to secure legislation in con
gress and that members of the
house committee on naval affairs had
been improperly Influenced by that
company. During his statement Mr.
Lilley was briefly cross-examined By
members of the committee.
Mr. Lilley declined to make public
the substance Of his statement The
committee held a second session and
it was announced that no action
would be taken on the Lilley resolu
ton until the stenographic' notes OF
Mr.. Lilley's statement have been
transcr bed and examined.
Esch Bill Favored.
The house committee authorized a
favorable report On the Esch bill
which requires the railroads to make
monthly reports of all accidents Oh
Their lines to the interstate commerce
commission and authorizes the publ
cation of these reports by the com
mission