The Washington times., 1913-07-29
DEMOCRATIC ROWS
WILL Be PRIVATE
House Committee Sworn to
Secrecy in Regard to Cur
rency Bill.

Operati ting under a pledge of secrecy
| the wranglIng Democrats of the House
Committee on Banking and Currency
! resumed work today on the Administra-
| ton currency bill with the promise that
the measure, complete or incomplete.
will go to the party caucus on Aug
ust II.
The majority members of the committee
yesterday adopted resolution to send
the bill to caucus on that date. BY a ma
icrtty of one. the, Democrats also de-
cIared for star chamber proceedings
hereafter. The Democrats, embarrassed
by the published accounts of the con-
tinual pickering in. their conferences
decided II was none of the public's busi-
ness how much they wrangled, and they
entered a compact not to talk of such
little family disagreements as near
fisticuffs.
The motion for secrecy is said to have
been adopted only after Chairman Glass
had cast his vote breaking the tie. Mem
bcrs of the majority say today they are
"honor bound" not to divulge what
+ransnires behind the locked doors Of
the committee room.
Criticism Is Expected.
Minority members of the committee
are expected to renew their attacks
upon the star chamber proceedings OF
this character. Seldom has any House
committee deemed it necessary to adopt
resolution closing the mouths of its
members, but it is also true that seldom
have the members of any committee
had so many disagreements as nave
arisen in the Currency Committee.
Cognizant of the constant pickering
among the Democrats Of the Banking
and Currency Committee, and the con-
seuuent slow progress upon a supposed
IL perfected" currency bill. President
Wilson is understood to be in sympathy
with the resolutions adopted yesterday
afternoon. These resolutions assure a
report of the bill to caucus on August II
and also a gag upon its trainers.
The submission of the bill to q caucus
means partisan currency reform-a re-
suit which several House leaders have
fought heretofore
1t was recently pointed out that the
conservatives, so called, OF the Banking
and Currency Committee felt that bet
ter progress might be made with the
currency bill were II not for the Presl-
dents's conferences with the insurgent
members, which. Il was claimed, drew
direct attention TO the activities of the
recalcitrants. The President, evidently,
took the hint. for a conference planned
with Mr.. Ragsdale yesterday was can
celed, and 1t is thought MT. wilson
hereafter will consult the Administra-
ton supporters on the committee rather
than the insurgents.
Cordial Support Missing.
The final decision of the Democrats
of the House committee to send the
currency bill to a party caucus justifies
the published statements that the meas
ure has not received the cordial support
expected hy the White House, The
party caucus on currency probably will
be the rveliest in, the history of the
party since il assumed control In the
House. The action of the majority OF
the Ranking and Currency Committee
TODAY also will ALLEVIATE the minority
members Of the committee VINO nave
hoped up to this time for non-partisan
consideration of the important subject
The fate Of the Administration bill Is
5robIematical, for II is practically as
Sured that it cannot be reported with
the unanimous backing of the Demo-
Gratis of the committee. Congressman
Eagle of Texas is already at work on a
minority report.
Congressman Underwood. majority
leader, is reported TO have informed
Chairman Glass and his colleagues
that if no more than four members of
the committee sign a minority report
the caucus may bind the party to the
Administration bill. II greater num-
ber Of recalcitrants refuse to sign a
majority report, the result Is in doubt
Mr.. Underwood has been consistent
in his opposition to currency legisla-
ton at this session. He has agreed.
however, to aid the President in put
ting a bill through, since the White
House is insistent that currency re-
form should accompany tariff revision.