The Washington times., 1913-03-31
STATESMEN REGRET
F|NANC|ER'S DEMISE
Morgan's Death Not Unexpected
Here by Men Who Saw Him
Before Pujo Board.

Profound interest was manifested
in Washington today at the news Of
the death Of ]. Pferpont Morgan. At
the same time, the information was
received without the shock that would
have resulted had II not been well
known here that the strength of the
aged hnancier had been falling in re-
cent months. Moreover, the cable
news Of recent days had left little
question that Mr.. Morgan's condition
was such that he would no longer be
able to play the part Of a master hand
!. Many expressions Of regret over
the death Of Mr.. Morgan were heard.
He was almost as well known in
Washington as In New York. He was
frequent visitor here. had various
Der Of occasions appeared at the Cap
itol as witness in Congressional in
vestigations.
Tedtded at Pujo Inquiry.
His last appearance in Washington
was this winter. when he was called
before the Pujo committee which was
time 1t developed clearly that Mr.. Nor
gan was no longer In his once robust
health. He tired much more easily than
Of old, and 1t was also clear that his
mind. while strong. did not work with
cision which characterized 1t in his
prime. Friends Of Mr.. Morgan then
commented freely to the effect he was
aging. Nevertheless. he made q good
witness and suceeeded in setting lot
angle OF the Money trust question,
made good reading
It was also noticeable then that Mr..
Morgan had lost something Of the
bfuSQueness which he manifested in his
mellowed and good-natured No more
9ood-natured witness was before the
Pujo committee this winter, In spite of
a prolonged srilling. than Mr.. Morgan.
Death Silsnees Criticism.
The death Of Mr.. Morgan. as viewed
in Congress circles. viii not materially
alter the situation with respect to the
attempts at Money trust legislation which
are to be a feature Of this Congress-.
Had Mr.. Morgan lived, there il no ques-
tion he would have been singled out by
scores Of speakers In House and Senate
as the bogey man with respect to the
centralisation Of moneys and credits In
this country.
His death will silence much of the
criticism that would have been heard
lieve that he. more than any other per-
son. was responsible for the upbuiIding
Of the so-called Money trust.
Before Pujo COMMITTEES
When Mr.. Morgan appeared before
the Pujo committee he was accom-
panied by a retinue Of partners, law
yers. and relatives. All OF them seemed
solicitous of the master fnancier's
health during the examination, although
Mr.. Morgan himself insisted that he
wasn't tired. and wanted to get the ex-
animation over with when the usual
recess hours approached.
Mrs. Herbert L. Satterlee sat near her
father during his two days on the Wit
ness stand before the Pujo committee.
and she frequently seemed ON the verge
Of demonstrating that Mr. Morgan
might overtax his strength. After the
hearings were over however, Mr. Nor
gan waved aside all such suggestions,
and called for another big black cigar
1t was apparent. nevertheless. that
the Morgan who appeared before the
old. When he appeared before the SEN
ate campaign investigating committee
in September last, he was a muyE
stronger man than when he returned
examination by the Money trust probers
to Washington In the late winter for an
Within a few months old age and a
general breakdown had made noticeable
inroads upon a once robust constitu-
ton. and spectators who had seen Mr..
Morgan before both committees mar
veled at the change. There were whis-
pered predictions then that the master
financier would not last another year.