Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-31
ANSWERS THEFT CRY WANTS SMALL NOTE
BarthoId Defends Methods Secretary Macveagh May Al
That Nominated Taft ter Size of Paper Money.
IN TURN MAKES ATTACK REDUCTION BY ONE-THIRD
Chicago Believed Change Would
Bento Treachery. $4,000 Annually.
DECLARES CONTESTS BOGUS ALL UNIFORM IN DIMENSIONS
Eighteen Months Required Effect
That Change-Banks May OPP
eatesW WereF irlv Sea+ed Plan.
REDUCTION BY ONE-THlRD
Believed Change Would Save Gov
ernment $500, 900 Annually.
ALL UNIFORM IN DIMENSIONS
Eighteen Months Required to Effect
Change-Banks May OPP
pose Plan.

The size of all United States currency
and national bank notes probably will be
reduced by one-third and their designs
revolutionized by Secretary of the Treas
ury MacVeagh for the sake Of economies
to the government, convenience to the
public and safety against counterfeiting.
This decision practically has been reach
ed by the Secretary
1t is proposed to make the dimensions
6 by u. inches. The paper money now
in circulation measures I.2S by 3O4
inches. The designs of all paper money
United States notes and certificates and
national bank notes-would be systema-
tized and made uniform for every de-
nomination.
This move is expected to save the gov
crnment about SWO.U0O annually, and
the national banks. which pay for the
plates for their notes and part of the
cost of redemption. about 100000. The
economies would be effected in steel for
the plates, in paper and in labor.
Separate Plates Not Necessary.
For many months the only deterrent to
the step by executive authority has been
the belief that it would be necessary for
Congress TO appropriate about $1,000, DOU
TO replace the national bank note plates
which have been paid for by the national
banks. This problem has been solved by
a plan to have the general design Of all
national bank notes uniform. requiring
only one engraved plate for each denonf-
nation, and to place on the notes by sur
face printing the name. location and
charter number of the bank. This would
do away with separate plates for each
bank.
Eighteen months would be required to
effect the change by the preparation of
the designs. engraving the plates and
printing of the notes. To meet the objec-
tiOn that for time at least there would
be two sizes of currency in circulation, it
has been suggested that the government
print in advance sufficient quantity of
at the subtreasurics and national banks
on fixed date
The change could be substantially ac-
complished within a few days, Treasury
officials believe.
Reduce Designs in Number.
There are now nineteen designs of cur
rency. The change would reduce these
to nine. Each denomination would be
characterized by distinctively American
historical portrait engraved in the center
foi TIE uOte. III tIne tHe portrait WOuId
be a distinguishing feature of each de-
nomination and would be q safeguard
against cOunterfeiting, especially the
prevalent practice of raising a note to a
higher denomination
The department is considering using
portraits as follows: One-dollar note.
Washington: 81. Jefferson: S., Lincoln
SO. Cleveland: $40 Jackson: $40 Grant
Sl0O. Franklin; 500. Chase. and $1,000
Hamilton.
Washington bank officials today de-
clined to discuss the changes proposed by
Secretary MacNeagh until they shall have
had time to study the Sccretarys plan In
all it's details. Presidents of two OF
three Washington banking institutions
expressed the belief that q mistake would
be made If the bank notes are made
smaller, as they say the present size
makes notes easier to handle. None.
however. would express any further
opinion.