The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-17
Inquiries of Doubtful
Senators Prospects
for Legislation.
HIS CONFERENCE
is SATISFACTORY
Reiterates Confidence That Meas.
ure Will Be Passed Before De-
cember Session, but Thinks
His Presence Is Required,
and Cancels Plan to
Leave Washington.


Wilson took hand in the situation in
the Senate banking and Currency Com
mittec to-day. personally inuuiriug of
Senators Hitchcock Reed and O'C;or
man. the only three Democratic Senn-
tors whose attitude has been a matter
OF doubt TO the administration lust
"nat were the prospects for currency
legislation during the present session
q: Congress.
Later the President described his in
diNidrhl conference with the three
senators rs satisfactory and reiterated
niS confidence that the measure would
be passed by the Senate before the De-
cemocr session. He determined. how
ever. that while the situation was i'm
proving daily, his constant presence
In Washington is required, and cam
cclled his plans TO go tomorrow. with
Secretary of the Navy Daniels and
other members of the Cabinet. to wit
ness target practice OF the Atlantic
fleet off the Virginia Capes
Mr.. Wilson told the three Senator's
that he had been asked by Representa-
tive Underwood what the House should
90 as 10 recess. since members were
growing restless under the delay
All three senators assured the Prcsi-
dent they favored as early a report as
was consistent with careful study Of
the House bill
Senator pGornan declared that il
the bill was not made Il party measure
but was so framed that some Repub-
licans could support ill., there would
be less debate in the Senate, and the
measure could be passed at this scs-
sion
Senator Hitchcock said he saw no
prospect for action during the pres
ent session though he thought "A re-
10 ,o{t IA
tanned the first week In November He
said he favored party harmony and
hoped to see the Presidents wish for
action at this session gratificd
Senator Reed issued a statement after
his conference with the president de-
claring the pending bin Gould be i'm
proved by amendment: that the hear
ings had brought out valuable points
and that the attempt to picture me
as lighting the President was as false
as ii was ridiculous" He said he had
tried to maintain an open mind So that
he might arrive at an Independent and
correct conclusion.
The hearings are nearly ended" he
added. and l think the mind OF mem
bers are clearly drifting together"
Senator Reed has believed a report
on the bill could be obtained during
the first week in November, and also
ton during the present session.
President Wilson was greatly en-
couraged by the conferences and was
confident that unless obstructionists
tactics developed on the floor of the
Senate the bill would pass before De-
cember l.
The Presidents personal canvass de-
velopcd that many amendments to the
House bin were being prepared. He Is
tod
however, that as long as the funda-
mentals OF the House bill are retain
ed, among them provision for the elias
ITCHY of the currency, safeguards
concentration of reserves, and estab-
iishment of government control over n
regional reserve system, he would not
object TO other material changes in the
bill.
Not Partisan Measure.
According to Senator Hitchcock. the
President does not desire the currency
bill TO be made a partisan measure. and
would welcome Republican support. An
sir OF general good feeling surrounded
the situation tonight. and II is be-
lieved the White House will make no
further. move unless the bill is unne-
cessarily delayed or a serious dis
agreement arises In the committee.
The President was not prepared to-
night to disclose what he would ad-
wise Representative Underwood with
reference to tho plans of the House.
8 he expects to get further advices on
the situation after those who discussed
the subject with him to-day have had
an opportunity to talk with their col
leagues In the Senate committee.
The hearing OF witnesses OH the cur
rency bill continued to-day before the
Senate committee. r. u. Milliken, of
Washington, II. c., presented his views
on the bill. indorsing its principles but
offering a number OF amendments.
committee of the United States
Chamber of Commerce. including Presi-
dent Harry 4. Wheeler. OF Chicago. and
others. brought the result of Il referen-
dunn vote taken among members of the
chamber. This report recommended
several amendments. including one to
cut down the number OF reserve banks
E ON twelve to three. and another Civ
ing the bankers representation on the
federal reserve board. The report op-
posed the making OF the proposed new
notes government obligations and
urged that they be made payable in
gold only.