The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
POSTAL BANK ACT
WILL BE PASSED
Carter to Drop Root Plan il
Necessary.
CONFERENCE AT WHITE HOUSE
Beveridge Agrees 10 Lay Aside the
Alaskan Bill for Prescnt-SenatOrs
Decide on Administration LegiSIa-
tive Programme with the Presi-
dent-siajOrity for Savings Bank.

President Taft yesterday summoned
Senator Carter. of Montana. to the White
House 10 discuss the prospect for the pos
tai savings bank bill. and from Senator
Beveridge he requested an account OF the
difficulties that beset the pathway of the
bill recognizing the Alaskan government
and the measure giving Statehood to New
Mexico and Arizona.
The President also called in Senator
Borah, of Idaho. Senator Borah has been
one OF the most persistent opponents OF
the bill
Postal Savings Measure.
Senator Carter. who has had charge OF
the measure in the Senate. explained to
the President the increasing opposition in
the Senate 10 the postal savings bill He
told the President, it is understood, that
Il would be impossible TO PASS the amend
ment proposed by Senator Root. which
was designed 10 make the bill constitu-
tional The amendment requires the In
vestment of the postal savings bank de-
pOsits in government securities. Senator
Root holds that without the amendment
the government would be engaged in a
banking business contrary TO the Consti-
tuition. President Taft has indorsed the
Root amendment
Senator Carter reported to the Presi-
dent that the votes of all the Demo
cratic Senators, as well as the insur-
gents among the Republicans, would be
cast against the Root amendment. and
hot Ra Il 81.
the measure.
President Taft pointed out to Senator
Carter the necessity of making some
progress with the bills now pending in
the two houses OF Congress that embody
administration policies. He made II clear
that Of these measures the postal saw
ings bank bill was OF vital Importance.
Senator Carter expressed confidence in
his ability to pass the bill. stripped OF
the Root amendment. if he could have
a little time to compose differences
among the Republican leaders Of the
Senate
Sidetrack Alaska Bill.
Before Senators Carter and Beveridge
had left the White House it was agreed
that the Alaskan bill should be side
tracked for the present; that the postal
savings bank bill should he made the un-
finished business of the Senate and kept
before that body to the exclusion of any
thing else. except general appropriation
bills. This agreement was reflected little
later in the day, when Senator Bever-
ldge announced that the Alaska bill would
not be urged as the unfinished business.
The object OF the hasty adjournment
so early in the day became known later,
when II was learned that an Informal
conference OF Republican leaders would
be held in the morning TO harmonize diff
ferences on the postal savings bill with
view Of passing it
The consideration Of the measure will
be resumed to-day when the Senate
meets. and Senator Carter expressed hope
yesterday that substantial progress would
be made with the bill before adjournment
to-day. While the supporters OF the bin
claim to have eight majority in its favor,
the opponents Of it are still hopeful of
accomplishing its defeat, even If Senator
Roots amendment is thrown overheard.
1t is now known that only two Demo-
cratic Senators will vote for the bill
Clay, Of Georgia, and Gore. of Oklahoma.
Senator Owen. Of Oklahoma, who has
been counted as favorable TO the bill,
yesterday announced his opposition to il,
and will make a speech attacking il.