New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-09
Committee Having Failed to
Break Currency Deadlock,
President Orders a Caucus.
MAKES BILL PARTY ISSUE
Democrats Called to Confer
Next Tuesday, Starting Con-
test Which Promises To
Be Long and Bitter.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau.l

ton threw down the gage OF battle De-
for the Senate Banking and Currency
Committee to-day, and gave the signal Tor
the opening of hostilities in what prom
ises to be long and bitter legislative con-
fct over currency legislation.
The call for a Democratic caucus or
conference. to be held on Wednesday, was
issued tonight. At the same time all alb
sent Democratic Senators were summoned
10 Washington TO line up for the fray.
This action was taken after futile ses-
sion of the Banking and Currency COM
mittee Hours Of discussion failed 10
break the deadlock over the number OF
regional banks. BY an even division SIX
10 six. the committee refused TO accept
the ultimatum of the President that the
number of banks must be increased 10
eight.
When il became apparent that the com
mittee could not be forced into line Sen
utor Swanson. who had taken the initl-
alive in circulating the petition for
caucus. went TO the White House for a
conference with the President, while the
Democratic members Of the committee
went off TO hold further meeting of their
own. on Senator Swanson's return ne
was notified that the four administration
members would stand firmly for the ad-
minstration bill. Senator Kern, the
Democratic leader. who is at Hollins, va
was notified by telephone, and the call
for the caucus was sent out.
Made a Party Measure.
The decision of the administration puts
the currency question on party basis
with the probable result that the bill
which the President demands VIII not De
put through the Senate until far into the
regular session. What was tantamount 10
q notice was served on the Democratic
members of the Banking Committee by
Republicans that the President could have
a fight If he wanted ii. The issue viii be
drawn on party lines, and the admlmstra-
TONS ideas of currency reform Will be
matched against those Of the minority
In explanation of the purpose Of the
Democratic caucus Senator Swanson SAID
tonight:
Believing that there has already been
too much delay in the enactment OF cur
rency legislation and perceiving that there
seems to be irreconcilable differences be-
tween the Democratic members OF the
Banking and Currency Committee OF the
Senate, and thinking that the proper and
best way TO adjust these differences was
a conference of the Democratic members
of the Senate. ! circulated petition tor
such a conference, and twenty-six sena-
tors have signed the call. Nearly all the
Democratic Senators in Washington have
signified their desire for a conference. !
believe most of those absent concur In
this.
THE country has given the Democratic
party power under promise TO enact re-
form legislation. included in which IS
banking and currency. 1t should not ana
cannot shirk its responsibility. Being re-
sponsible for the character of the legisla-
ton. the time has arrived for the Demo
cratic Senators TO hold a conference and
consider their united obligations ana
duties 10 the country.
No Reflection Intended.
1--WE owe II 10 the country and our
party not 10 permit this opportunity TO
, mass 10 obtain much needed banking ana
currency reform. The conference Is called
for this purpose and to hasten and facili-
tate such legislation. II is not intended
10 reflect upon any one, and is called with
the earnest nope and expectation that II
will result in giving TO the country soon
a banking and currency bill beneficial TO
all our varied interests. and for which
the Democratic party will unitedly stand
and point to in the future as an act OF
proud achievement
The petition for conference was sistsd
nv twehty-six Democratic Senators, IN
Guiding the four members OF the Banking
and currency COmmttee-Senators owen.
Pornerene Hollis and Shafroth. Senators
O'Oorrnan and Reed, both OF whom, 1t is
expected. will fall into line with the ad-
ministration forces in the end, protested
against the calling OF caucus. Those
members who have not acceded to the
Presidents demand for immediate legisla-
ton fear that all the good features that
have been incorporated in the Glass bill
will be discarded Senator Hitchcock
maintains his Independent position. and
probably will not submit to the caucus
edict
The lineup in the committee was dis
closed to-day. when Senator O'Gorman
offered a resolution providing that the
number OF regional banks be not less than
four nor more than eight Senator Hitch
cock and the five Republican members