Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-12
Mr.. La Toilette Sarcastic.


that bill and wanted time to study it.
MI. La Toilette Sarcastic.
Senator Hale. chairman of the naval
committee. had just finished giving Mr..
La Toilette pretty severe drubbing for
daring to suggest that the established
customs of the Senate were anything but
perfect when the debate was interrupted
in order to allow Senator Wetmore to
dispose of the Lincoln day resolution.
Senator La Toilette said he was only too
ready to yield for that.
When ii had been adopted Mr.. La Fol-
lette. with fine sarcasm. reminded the
Senate. and especially Senator Hale. that
he had introduced a resolution for that
same purpose last winter and had seen
IL reported adversely and indefinitely
postponed by the Senate.
Il am glad to see that there is sone-
body who can get things through this
body Mr.. La Toilette commented.
Closing Of Local Banks.
The majority of the banks and other
financial institutions of the District of
Columbia were closed today But it was
not until after O'Clock this morning.
officials and clerks having reported at the
several financial institutions as on regular
business days, that the signs were dis
played on the front doors of most of the
institutions announcing Bank closed: le
gal holiday
But this straightforward and unquali-
fed declaration is in strong contrast to the
condition of mind Of many Of the bankers.
Many of them are In doubt as to what eX-
tent their institutions are closed today.
and some Of them are PRACTICAL! open.
SO far as their regular patrons are con-
cerned. The Union Trust Company was
open and doing business as usual. its
officials declaring that the resolution of
Congress making today special legal
holiday is not a law until it is actually
signed by the President.
1t was not until the telegram was re-
ceived at the White House from Presi-
lent Roosevelt announcing his approval
Of the joint resolution that the attorneys
for the ma iority of the local financial in
s,itutions advised their clients to cease
business for the day.
Attorneys in Conference.
Attorneys J. J. Darlington. r. Ross
Perry and ]. w. Mattingly late last even
ing were in consultation with officials OF
the departments Of State and Justice to
determine whether the resolution Of Con-
gress and the subsequent proclamation
by an absent President were binding on
the banks Doubt developed as to whether
the resolution of Congress had been prop
erly and legally approved by the Presi-
dent. and a telegram was finally de-
sDatched TO the chief executive on his
train speeding toward Lincons birth
place In Kentucky.
Shortly after s o'clock this morning
| advice was given by the bank attorneys
that the financial institutions should open
regularly for business today.
The transaction of business by the
Union Trust Company today was in ac-
cordance with instructions of President
Stellwagen. who maintains these is a
| marked difference between sentiment and
legal constructions. When asked about
the matter today, Mr.. Stellwagen said:
THE reason are wide open today,
with every man at his post. is upon the
| theory that no law becomes such or is
operative until it receives the signature
| of the President. or. when his signature
| is withheld. until ten days have elapsed. -
Departments and Public Schools.
| The late hour when the joint resolution
was passed by the Senate and the conse-
| quent delay in the issue of the President s
proclamation declaring today to be q
| legal holiday was the cause of much con-
| fusion in the government departments
and workshops and in the public schools
Of the District. At many Of the depart
ments the proclamation was not received
until about closing time. and when It
reached the various bureau chiefs many
of the employees had departed for the day.
In consequence hundreds of government,
| employees made an unnecessary trip tC
| their offices this morning. walking to the
doors to be confronted with the sigr
| Department Closed-Legal Holiday" Tel
ephones Of bureau chiefs and even cabine,
officers were kept ringing. last night. the
anxious employees desiring to know fol
sure whether or not they were expected
at their Offices today. Many of the
| clerks saw the bulletin on The Stars
board yesterday afternoon that Congress
had passed the bill providing for the
holiday and returned to the departments
to find out for sure regarding attendance
! today.
At the doors of school buildings this
morning many children spelled out the
words that told them of days respite
| from study. w. V. Cox. acting president
Of the board of education. issued an or
der last evening closing ali public schools
| today, and the announcement was COM
municated by telephone to the supervising
| principals. But although the informa-
| ton was spread IS widely as possibly.
many teachers and pupils proceeded to
the school buildings at the usual hour
| hi