The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-08-11
HITS MONETARY COMMISSION
SENATOR CCMMTNS CHARGES
1T WITH EXTRAvAGANCE.
Says It's Travelling Expenses 10 Europe
Were @lO.2SO and ITS Total Travel.
ling Expenses We're ASS AM Salaries
Paid TO Men Already on the Payroll.

WASHINGTON. Aug. io.--A vigorous
attack was made in the Senate this after
noon on the National Monetary Commits
sion and Ex-senator Aldrich. its chairman,
by Senator Cummins of Iowa, aided by
Senator Hepburn Of Idaho. Mr.. Cummins
started the debate by calling up his bill
which demands report from the None
tary Commission ny December next
and its immediate disbandment thereafter
Coming TO the defence OF the commits
sion. of which he is member, Senator
Burton OF Ohio said II would be unwise
to require n report by December 4, as
there would he difficulty in getting the
members together far enough In advance
Of the assembling Of Congress in Decem-
ber to formulate a report by the day
named. He also urged that while the
members Of the commission might be
required to serve without salaries. it
would be great mistake to disband
that body and largely waste the fruits
Of their investigations and research. He
expressed the emphatic belief that the
work OF the commission would he in
valuable In shaping wise and needed
currency legislation.
Before he had finished Mr.. Burton's
opposition to the Cummins proposal had
assumed the proportions Of flibuster.
and it is apparent that he will fight the
bill to the end. When adjournment was
taken Mr.. Burton announced that he had
only concluded about one-third Of the
remarks he will submit. In view Of his
decided opposition it seems doubtful II q
vote will be reached on the Cummins bill
at this extra session.
Senator Cummins, in his attack. charged
extravagant expenditure for salaries and
travels by the commission and that clerks
and members had received payment
from the Treasury while they were al
ready on the payroll in other capa cities.
This he said was illegal. Two members
Of Congress. he asserted, received an
additional 5.562 each for service on the
commission.
Mr.. Cummins made several sarcastic
references to the commissions 8 European
trip. which had cost 3l9,25O in travelling
expenses and for which no itemized state
ments were made. since none was required
under the law creating the COMMISSION.
He added that this was the most remark.
able authority ever given under act OF
Congress. practically unlimited sums
being authorized to he paid out on APP
proval Of tn. chairman Of the commits
sion. Mr.. Aldrich.
During ono heated SPELL continued
Mr. Cummins. "the commission held
meeting at Narragansett Pier. Quite
a delightful place tn compose ones mind
to study great problems of financial
legislation. but they never had n right to do
that"
Senator C,immins said the total ravel-
ling expenses Of the commission since
March 81. 1910. were S35ii2. which he
estimated was enough to maintain one
person for sixteen years on an average
expense account of 81 day. OF the total
salaries paid to employees he said that
-. AGA had heen paid to n man regularly
employed in the Treasury department,
but he admitted that this was a most
competent man.
There are some very excellent men on
the commission said Mr. Cupmins, hut
majority of ifs members AT this time
are not devo'inR their time and lahors
to the important work of this body II
has become simply a convenient birth
for those who have lost the favor Of their
constituencies
In conclusion Senator Cummins said
that IL the country was to have laws to
perfect its financial sy stem md to shield
the nation from the dangers Of a recur-
renee of panic il was time TO enter on the
discussion Of such legislation. He ex-
pressed confidence that the report of tho
monetary commission. when finally made,
and the monographs prepared under
their directions would he "A valuable
and Illuminating contribution 10 the fund
of information on the subject of finance.
Senator Hepburn described the legis-
lation which created the monetary com
mission as vicious legislation. iniouitous
legislation" He charged that the mono
graphs Of the commission contained no
more information of value to aid in shap-
ing legislation on the subject than the
Arabian Nights He said double salaries
had been paid to favorites.
In other stations these men would he
called grafters," shouted Mr. Hepburn
The thing To do is To pay the bills the
commission has contracted. dishand the
commission and forget the mistake