The Washington times., 1910-02-05
Citizens Will Appear Before
Senate Subcom-
mittee.
WILL BE PREPARED
TO GIVE EVIDENCE
Conditions Resulting From Prac-
tice of Usary Declared
IEtolerable.

Following UP their determined efforts
TO obtain legislation which will put law
oefying loan sharks behind prison bars
instead of merely letting them OF with q
fine, the Citizens Committee will FIRE an
other gun in their war on usury in the
District next week, when they appear
before the Senate Subcommittee on Ju-
dietary to urge the passage Of the
amended West bill
Realizing that the heaviest blows
should be struck now II the desired leg
islative action is 10 be obtained at this
session Of Congress- the committee on
legislation Of the Citizens Committee
has Informed Senator Dillingham;. chair
man OF the Subcommittee on Judiciary,
and Senator GaIIInger. chairman Of the
Senate Committee on the District. that
the leaders Of the anti-Ioan shark move
ment would like 10 explain the great
need Of drastic legislation TO curb the
Districts usurers. Both Senators have
agreed TO hear the views Of the Citizens
Committee. although the date for the
hearing has not yet been set.
Long List of Speakers.
The speakers who VIII appear before
the Senate sub-comnittee in advocacy
or the proposed West ant5-Ioau shark
clUdes a jail sentence and a higher min
imum fine for offenders. viii probably
be former District Commissioners West
and MacfarIand. Miss Mabel T. Board
man. national director Of the American
Red Cross Society William H. Baldwin,
chairman Of the Citizens Committee:
Frederick L SiddOns. lawyer, George \
wilson, secretary Of the District Board
q ChaTitless Ivan n Tucker, PreSi-
deEt Of the Northeast Citizens AssCcia-
ZION, and perhaps z Francis Riggs,
I-abCT's voice in favor OF the proposed
legislation VIII Be heard through Presi-
dent ColpOys, OF the Central Labor
Union. and Emmett = Adams. Mean
time, II Is understood that the amended
West bill VIII be submitted to the Cen
trail Labor Union and its Endorsement
asked.
Spirited and earnest discussion OF the
merits OF the proposed legislation will
not De lacking because every one OF
me spea kerS named has made a careful
study Of the evils growing out OF the
loan shark abuses in the District. They
are convinced that the check Of the law
should be put on an those who impose
Usury on the helpless. Now IS the
time 70 90 IL they declare in unison.
and they intend to make their plea as
powerful as belief IN a cause viii make
West Bill Approved.
There Is no denying that the condi-
tions which have resulted from the i'm
position Of usury in this city are in
tclerable," declared Frederick L. Sid
dOns today We believe that the So
called West bill with the proposed
amendments, viii 90 far TO correct the
loan shark evil in the District. and We
mean to speak strongly for II when the
opportunity comes Senator Dillingham;
and Senator GaliInger have both agreed
10 hear us as soon as possible
In the meantime, while the citizens
committee IS completing its plans for
an appearance before the lawmakers
an effort viii be made TO get a general
Endorsement OF the proposed legislation
from the citizens OF the District. Sew
eral of them already have approved thc
West bill without the amendments
which were sent yesterday to Senator
Dillingham;, and the plan is now 20
bring the amended measure to thsi-
attention.