The Washington herald., 1910-06-10

The postal savings bank bill. one OF
the administration measures, was passed
by the House at o'clock last night by
a vote Of 195 to 101-
Ten hours suficed for its enactment,
one being devoted to debate on Tuesday
and nine consecutive hours being devoted
to It yesterday. It went through under a
gag rule brought in by the Committee
on Rules, shutting off amendments. Far
from being in danger at any time. It re-
ceiyed generous Democratic support
The bill provides for the establishment
OF postal savings banks for the receipt
OF savings accounts up to $500 for each
account. AS amended in Republican eau
Gus. it provides that 65 per cent Of de-
posits shall remain in the LEGAL banks In
the localities where the accounts originate.
8 per cent must be held in reserve, and so
per cent may be devoted to the purchase
OF bonds Interest at the rate Of 2 per
cent is to be paid on deposits, this low
rate being fixed to demonstrate that the
government does not intend TO compete
with the banks The measure has been
recommended for years by Postmasters
General, and was declared for in the na-
tlonaI platform Of both parties at the last
conventions
Democrats Contest Every Step.
The House convened at II O'Clock yes
terday. and after Chairman Weeks, of
the Post-oflce Committee. who was in
charge OF the bill, had succeeded in get
ting a quorum, the debate went on
steadily until 6 p. m. All the familiar
arguments for and against were used.
the charge being made by some Of the
Democrats that the bill was unconstf-
tutonal.
Representative Weeks spent busy day.
nine hours continuously, on the floor.
Champ Clark minority leader, led q
spirited opposition, and after Mr.. Weeks
had made the concluding argument, the
Democrats contested the passage OF the
bill at every parliamentary turn.
Representative Finley, minority men,
Der OF the committee. offered, as he was
at liberty to do under the special rule.
the minority bill as a substitute. This
bill differed from, the Republican bin by
providing that IS per cent of the deposits
should be retained IN the local banks.
except in time Of war,
The minority substitute was voted
dOwn-ayes 113. noes 196. Norris. OF Ne
braska, a Republican insurgent. alone
among the Republicans voting for it.
Senate May Accept House Bill.
The committee bill was then adopted
by vote OF 1872 to 112 Six Republican
insurgents from Western States-Hubbard.
Lenroot. Nelson, Norris, Woods, and
Gronna-voted against it. Twenty-four
Democrats-Aiken. Ansberry, Ashbrook.
Cox, Foss of Massachusetts, Foster Of
Illinois, Graham of Illinois. Hammond,
Havens. Henry. Hitchcock. Hughes OF
New Jersey, Kinkead Mcclure, Moss,
O'Connen Pou, Ransdell, Rucker Of Col
orado. SABBATH. Sharp, SulZer. Taylor OF
Colorado, and TOu Velle-vOted for It
The Democrats were not willing 10 give
up without a further struggle. Mr.. Moon,
OF Tennessee. of the Post-office Commit
tee, made motion to recommit the bill
10 the committee. This motion was
voted down, lis to 1s7. Still another roll
call was demanded by Champ Clark on
the final passage OF the bill, which was
passed by a vote Of 195 TO 101
The bill as passed is substitute for a
radically different bill which passed the
Sonata some time ago. The measure will
nOW go TO conference. There was some
talk at the Capitol yesterday that the
Senate would agree to the House bill,
thus insuring its final enactment at this
session.
The passage OF the bill is another step
toward an early adjournment.