The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-09-05
SENATORS ASK
VIEWS ON COINS
Want TO Hear From People on
Three Cent and Halt Cent Pieces.
OHIO IDEA IS UNDER FIRE.
Opinions Of individuals. Organizations
and Business interests Are Desired
Before Finance Committee Takes Ae-
tion-Churches Might Lose.

Before Finance Committee Takes Ae-
tion--Churches Might Lose.
Members of the United States sen
ate finance committee would like to
have the views of individuals, organ
izations and business interests on the
proposed three cent and one-half cent
pieces. So far the proposal TO add
such coins to the denominations now
In circulation has not caused the In
terest which was anticipated. Every
citizen, no matter how limited bis re-
sources, would be affected, and some
lines of Industry would be compelled
to readJust their methods OF business
as a result. The committee is patient
~ sitting on the bill. Whether it ever
will emerge from that committee is
problematical. However. the senators
would like to know whether the coun
try does or does not want the coins,
for on some meeting day they may de
sire to act
The bill was passed by the house
May 6, where It went through unob
trusively. Some of the senators ap-
pretended that the proposition was
serious when it came before them the
following day Senator POmerene of
Ohio wanted it to go to the committee
on standard weights and measures,
which had received a similar bill in
troduced by him April %. but Sena
tors Smoot and Lodge Insisted that it
go to the finance committee. and the
senate on vote refused to agree to
the Ohio senator's motion.
Idea Originates In ohio.
So far the proposal TO change the
national coinage has been almost ex-
clusively an Ohio undertaking. 1t
originated in Cleveland. where they
have three cent car fare. and Con-
gresham Bulkley Of that city intro
duced a bill to create n coin for that
particular need. Toledo also came
into line In support of the scheme.
Then some one revived the idea of the
one-half cent piece. which comes up at
regular periods. and it was tucked to
the bill.
Before This the treasury department
had suggested aboIishing for sanitary |
purposes the present copper cents, !
which corrode and affect employees /
who handle them in large quantities |.
The intention is TO make them OF the /
same composition, 20 per cent copper I
and % per cent nickel. as the present /
5 cent piece. To the bin making this /
comparatively slight change in the one /
cent piece was added the proposal to
create the two new coins.
Secretary of the Treasury MacVeaGh .
did not oppose the new coins, nor did
be approve them The protests did /
not start to come in until after the bill |
had passed and the treasury officials
took the attitude that congress. not /
they. should determine the coinage, re-
CARELESS of their opinions whether ii /
was unwieldy. Dummies of the coin.
the three cent one. with hole in the
center, like a Chinese piece. were pre-
pared BY George +. Roberts, director
of the mint.
Senator Oliver was the first 10 voice
opposition to the new coins with me-
mortal from the chamber Of commerce
of York. Pa. protesting TO the senate.
The American Street Railway asso
citation and various street car lines OF
New York also have communicated
with the finance committee deploring
any such additions to the minor coins
The argument of the street car COM
panies is that. while Ohio cities might
be convenienced. every other city in
the country would bear the burden, for
patrons would pay fare in one-half
cent pieces or two three-cent pieces.
compelling the conductors to carry
loads of change.
Thinks Churches Would Suffer.
One individual who took a lighter
vein sent a protest to the committee
in behalf Of the churches.
arguing that contributors would, drop
a one-half cent or three cent piece in
the box in lieu of the customary nickel \
or dime.
The proposed three cent piece is one
thirty-Second of an inch larger than
the present nickel. so THAI after being
handled and worn slightly II would
work havoc with the receipts Of vend,
ing machines or telephone companies
which operate nickel slot devices.
I'VE will proceed deliberately and
not recommend any such important
change in the coinage of the nation
without giving everybody an Oppor-
tunity to be heard" declared Senator
chairman of the finance com
mittee mo date has been fixed for !
taking IT up. and with the tariff bills.
which must be attended to, before us
at present there is no telling when we
will reach it. In the meantime we
would like to know who is interested.
so that when It is reached they can be
notified to appear and present their
views"