The Washington times., 1913-07-08
CURRENCY MATTERS
BEFORE MAJORITY
Glass Now "Hopes" to Get
Reform Measure Before the
House by August I.

With no Democrat certain Of the de-
tailed views of his colleagues, the
majority members of the House Bank
ing and Currency Committee at last
began consideration of the Admins
tration currency bill at . o'clock to-
day. 1t has been ten days since the
bill was referred to the committee
and this time has been spent in an
attempt to straighten out the kinks
In the harmony program.
A few Of the kinks remain, for the
Democrats of the committee are far
from united. Chairman Glass, wear
ing worried look because Of the in
auspicious start in the career Of the
currency bill. now hopes to get the
bill into the House by August /.
No member Of the committee how
ever, will predict that the bill will not
be amended in committee.
The meeting of the Democrats today
was behind closed doors, and Il is not
the intention of the majority to call in
tho Republicans to a non-partisan con-
ference. Chairman Glass issued a call
this afternoon for a meeting of the full
committee tomorrow. but this will be
independent of the Democratic confab.
which Is to be held daily.
AnOtner h0W treQ1cteQ.
1t is not expected that the full conf
mittee will meet again for several
weeks, and this is bound to kick up
another row among the minority MEM
bers. who insist upon the open door,
currency reform. The committee to-
morrow probably will dispose Of the
Bulkley subcommittee reconmenda-
items for open sessions Of the commit
tee. Even II these committee sessions
are open, the Democrats may wink the
ether eye and continue their confer
ences.''
Congressman Hayes, a minority MEM
Der Of the committee, when he learned
of the secret conference plan Of the.
majority members, said today that more
progress would be made on the bill II
II were treated in non-partisan man
ner. The conservative Republicans of
the committee. he said. probably would
join with Mr.. Glass in recommending
q bill that is fair to the bankers, the
Government, and the public.
The Democratic members met yester-
day afternoon for their second confer
cree. following the refusal of several
members to take up the bill week ago.
The spirit of insurgency in the commit
tee was still In evidence. although II
was explained later that no Democrat
with the exception of one-openly re-
belled against the bill. The exception Is
understood to be Congressman Eagle Of
Texas. who thinks the very fundamen-
tails OF the Glass-Owen measure are
wrong. Mr.. Eagle promises to elaborate
his views later. and he is fanked by
divers Democrats who pick a flaw here
and there in the present scheme of cur
rency reform.
Balks at Long Sessions.
Mr.. Ragsdale insurged yesterday to
the extent of opposing fiye-flour sittings
each day. 80
Il be blamed IL j want to work every
afternoon" he said |
Nevertheless, the Democrats will meet I
hereafter at IL o'clock. sit until p. m.
come back at 2, and talk about the bill
until p. m.
Talking on another topic. Mr.. Rags
dale said today that it is hard to get a
lineup on how the committeeman stand.
Even in executive meetings they have
refrained from fully expressing them
selves. In agreeing to begin work on
the bill tomorrow we do not mean to
say that the measure Will be approved
as II Is now written. We don't get |
lineup on the fellows, however, until |
we get down to business
What If the Administration doesn't |
want the bill changed?" Mr.. Ragsdale |
was asked. |
"I hardly think the Administration !
would insist that the bill shall be re- I
ported just as 1t now stands" replied |
the South Carolina member. who 'old |
the President at the recent White |
House experience that he wasn't pleased |
with the bill.
Indignation Not. Cooled.
According to reports from the secret
conference Mr.. Eagles indignation
has not cooled since a week ago when
he Joined with other recalcitrants and
demanded more time to digest a meas
lre concerning the preparation Of
which he and other rank and file men,
,ers of the committee had not been con-
suited. Mr.. Bulkley, of Ohio. and MIR.
Korbly, of Indiana, are also classed
among recalcitrants who will make ef-
'orts to amend the currency bill and in
asserting today that the committee was
now ready to proceed with its task
Chairman Glass would make no prcph-