New-York tribune., 1909-08-24
Mr.. FOWLER'S SURPRISE.
Criticism of Speaker Expected from,
Him, but an Less Vigorous Style.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington. Aug. 2S--Representative Fowler IS
known in Washington a fighter. loyal 10 his con-
victons but at times inclined TO be impetuous and
arbitrary When he was removed from the chair
manship OF the Banking and Currency Committee
on the last day of the special session of Congress
he made no secret OF the fact that he was angry
ana his friends in Congress never doubted that he
would express himself in plain language. They std
not. however. expect such attack the letter
he has just addressed TO Speaker Cannon.
For some years Mr.. Fowler has been Of the
opinion that Mr.. Cannon is not the best Speaker
that could bs secured, nor the wisest statesman.
The Speaker in turn has cherished the conviction
that there might be better financial experts than
Mr.. Fowler. but he retained him at the head of the
Banking and Currency Committee and Mr.. Fowler
voted Tor Mr.. Cannon without a murmur.
When the necessity for emergency currency
bill became apparent. Mr. Fowler came forward
with his plan for asset currency. He announced
his intention OF doing before the Goth Con-
gress convened, but the Speaker did not remove
him from the committee. Instead he added 10 the
committee Representative Burton. OF Ohio: Weeks.
OF Massachusetts. and Mckinney. Mr.. Fowler be-
lieved that these men were associated with him in
order that they might outvote him his currency
plans.
AS soon as Congress convened Mr.. Fowler found
that Senator Aldrich. Speaker Cannon and the in
huential members OF the House were opposed 10
The credit currency plan. and although he waged
strong fight for Il. he was finally beaten His
refused TO make favorable report on the Aldrich-
Vreeland bin
When this measure finally passed Mr.. Can
non did not name Mr.. Fowler Of the confe-roes,
and this action served 10 widen the breach between
the two men. Mr.. Fowler and number OF o;her
insurgents voted against the Aldrich-Vreeland
bill when It came up for final passage. but they
had not sufficient strength 60 defeat il.
When the rules fight came the opening cf
the 6lst Congress Representative Fowler cast his
fortunes with the Republican Insurgents" ana
when the end Of that struggle the Speaker
stil In power IL seemed foTegone conclusion that
Mr.. Fopler would be deposed from his chairman
ship. Those who made this prediction saw it vsri-
fed on the last day OF the special session.
Representative NTeeand appointed cha,rrna7
or the Banking and Currency Committee, and Mr.
Fowler was assigned 10 the committees on InsIilar
Affairs and Reform IN the Civil Service
Speaker Cannons friends in Washington Justify
his action in deDOsing Representative FoWle- by
pointing 10 the fact that the New Jersey member
is made OF uncompromisinS timber, and that he
Insists upon his own views with a tenacity that
excludes all difference of opinion. They say that
with currency reform the programme the House
and the Speaker would be impeded by such q man
at the head OF the committee which Is 10 nav.
much TO do with the work
The insurgents" however. will rejoice They
welcome AL attacks on Mr.. Cannon ana predlc-
tons are rife that the Speaker and Afr Aldrich viii
ind bard shedding fer their financial programme
unless II conforms 20 Mr. FoWler's ideas