The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-22
Secret Conference Is Held
to Discuss DepOsing Of
the Speaker
DEMOCRATS NOW FAVOR
LEAVING CANNON ALONE
Agreement Is Reached to Take
Vote on the Postal Savings
Bank Bill Today

Washington. June PA secret confer
ence of number of the leaders of the
House insurgents was held late today to
discuss the subject of further activity at
the present session. The question of
whether an attempt should be made to de-
pose Speaker Cannon was broached and
again divided sentiment on the subject
was disclosed Statements were submit
ted by different members who had can
vassed the situation and reports were
made of careful counts on the PROPOSE
tion. 1t was agreed that 1t was ex-
tremely doubtful whether enough votes
could be obtained to carry through such
an action.
One insurgent reported that he had
carefully sounded the democratic side and
had found that the democrats preferred to
enter the congressional campaign with
Speaker Cannon still the presiding officer
of the House.
Members of the minority. he said, be-
iieved their chances for carrying through
their ideas was improved with the issue
of Cannonism still live one. 1t was the
unanimous opinion of the insurgents he
said that the democrats would vote SOL
idly to depose Speaker Cannon If the mo-
ton was made.
Before the meeting ended one prominent
member of the irsurgent body who is
strongly in favor of deposing the speaker
informed his colleagues that 1t was a
question for individual action, and he
wished to serve notice that he might Of
fer his moti,n bringing the matter before
the House.
Agreement to Vote on Bill
Washington, June H.-Agreeing to vote
at 8 o'clock tomorrow on the Carter mo-
IN in, ho
ings bank bill, the Senate adjourned at
o'clock tonight after a day devoted large
ly TO an onslaught upon the House meas
ure. "A number OF amendments were Of.
fered, but the "od guard" of the reg
ulars was on duty and each assault was
successfully resisted, he majority rang
ing to s votes. Word was circulated
early in the session that the President
desired the House bill and the message
undoubtedly had an influence In maintain
Ing the measure intact.
All the amendments were directed to the
section of the House bill relating to the
deposit and withdrawal Of the postal bank
funds from the local banks for transfer
ence to the large eastern banks and to
the national treasury. while 1t was agreed
that the Senate bill would hold the money
in the home banks except in case of war
OF other contingency.
The first of the amendments disposed
Bacon
provided for the striking out of the pro-
vision authorizing the use of the postal
bank deposits for the purchase of bonds
Supporting his own amendment, Mr. Ba-
con declared that the provision of the
House is but an entering wedge In the
interest Of great central bank. He
said that the financiers of Wall street
could have written nothing more to their
Cwn liking.
Mr.. Percy took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to make a general speech charg-
irg the postoffice department with false
economy in failing to increase the rural
free delivery service to meet the de-
nlands of the country. Incidentally, he
charged that the political power of the
postoffice department is being Increased
to the detriment Of the country
The amendment was voted down by a
majority of six, as was the next amend
rent, which was offered by Mr.. Cummins
and which required that depositors should
+ be selected In accordance with a general
rule.
The suggestion which received most
attention provided for a requirement OF
indemnity bonds from postal savings de-
pcsitories.
This is the provision in the Senate BILL
while the House requires the deposit of
bonds as security in its measure. Tho
amendment was favored by Senator's
Cummins and Brlstow and opposed by
Messrs Burton and Carter
Mr.. Bristow said the House provision
would preclude the possibility of country
banks becoming repositories, as 1t would
require them to prefer one depositor ovct
others. which the state laws would not
permit.
Instead of being source of strength
IN the next campaign 1t would be a
cause OF weakness to the republican party
he said The vote against the amend
ment stood q to IS.
A similar fate overlook an amend
ment by Mr.. Cummins restoring the Sem
ate provision authorizing the withdr avail
Of the deposits from the local banks only
in case Of war or other exigency.