New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-14
Senator Cummins introduces Bill
Terminating Existence on
December 5.
PASSAGE SEEMS LIKELY
It Would Put Aldrich, Hale. Bur
rows and Other Old Leaders
Out of Government Service
Methods Criticised.
From Tho Tribune Rurnnu.

Of the National Monetary Commission. of
which ex- Senator Nelson " Aldrich Is
! chairman. is strongly foreshadowed in
bill introduced to-day by Senator Cum
MINIS. of Iowa The bill provides that the
December 4. and that the law by which
it exists shall be repealed on December ..
1911.
In view of the somewhat general dis
satisfaction in the Senate with the
Monetary Commission, its apparent fail
ure to make substantial progress in the
way of accomplishing the purpose for
which 1t was established. it's alleged ex-
travagance, and the fact that II has
come to be recognized as a convenient
berthing place for lame ducks" Of both
the Democratic and Republican folds. il
is possible that the object of the bill will
be attained. If the commission should
be abolished the seven ex-Senators
and three Representatives numbered
among its eighteen members would be
completely separated from the govern
ment payrolls. and such old leaders as
Messrs Hale Burrows. Money. Aldrich
and Teller would find themselves without
a vocation.
Criticism Of the commission Is directed
against it's methods rather than its pur-
pose There is no apparent hostility
toward the central reserve plan proposed
fact. Senator Cummins himself is dis
posed to approve the plan with certain
notification minimizing the control OF
the New York Banks and insuring I the
scattered districts greater independence
Furthermore, the ability Of ex-senator
| Adrich 10 direct the work for which the
commission was created is generally rec
| ognized
Selection Of Lame Ducks" Criticised
The dissatisfaction. which crystallizec
rapidly as soon as the abolition Of the
commission was definitely proposed II
the Cummins bill can be traced bach
more particularly 10 the appointment or
the commission of several lame ducks
both Senators and Representa- atives, Just
! before the expiration OF their terms or
March T. Although originally made W
of members of Congress exclusively onl,
two Senators and four Representatives
remain. and Secretary Knox is a nominal
rather than an actual. member. Messrs
| Aldrich. Hale. Burrows. Teller. Money
Flint and Taliaferro. ex-Senators. anc
Ponvnge. Prince and McLachlan. ex
/ Representatives continue To receive th'
same salary as commissioners that they
received as members Of Congress.
II is also pointed out that the com
mission has spent about S2"o.on since
| its establishment in 1905. In that time
II has accumulated a valuable nbrar'
md performed much original research
into financial conditions and systems
This however. has been the work o
cxnerts. rather than NJ the commission
itself. which. until the central banE
rlan was proposed by its chairman. ha'
done nothing. according to its critics II
the vav Of preparing a report for th'
senate. senator Cummins ana other
are Of the opinion that there VIII d.
.reictent time between now and De
aan,hor , for the commission TO complete
i,s consideration Of the Aidrich plan an'
the commission does not 90 out "' IN
istence until June. 1914.
Another complaint against the 'oii
r,ission ~ that many OF us eihp''9 u
to,.a recaived double salaries from th'
government. In some cases experts II
tho emuloy Of the government nave pee'
maid literally. for making investigations
and preparing reports. In certain III
stances il was. perhaps. impossipie u
obtain other than government experts
and 90 these the objection is sentlmenta
-.tber than practical. II rs asserted
boUever. that the same excuse cahho
he made for paying additional salarle
"a clerks and others employed ny th'
commission and receiving salaries IRON
the government.
Bv the terms of the act creating IN
commission such expenses as may b'
ceamed necessary are paid out or IN
Treasury on the audit and order OF tn
chairman. the senate having retained
M authority To pass on the expendi
tures. This feature. IN view of 'th
charges Of extravaganza, constitutes an
other basis for criticism.