Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1913-12-24

Washington, Dec. 24-The nation
al capital was like deserted village
today. The legislators are gone after
ten months of weary grind on the
currency and tariff. The society folk
are off for the holidays. The Presi-
dent and his family are speeding to
Pass Christian, Miss, and even the
government clerks with half holi-
day are strangely inconspicuous. The
air of desertion Will not be dispelled
till congress reopens January IL. The
only excitement today came in a
dangerous fire in the American five
and ten cent store in the center CT
the shopping district, which, for
time, threatened a general confiagra-
ton. Six firemen were injured under
falling timbers and debris. The
building was full of intiamable ma
terial and burned like timber. The
loss was 100000.
The new banking and currency sys
tenn will be installed as soon as pract
cable, work to that end already hay
ing been begun by the secretary of the
treasury.
1t is the opinion of the Democratic
leaders that the new law will have a
steadying effect on business. This view
Is shared by some Republicans.
President Wilson signed the banking
bill in the presence of a crowd that
thronged the executive offices. Mr.,
Wilson was In happy frame OF mind =
The occasion marked Democratic vic
tory for the president, who had worked
hard for seven months to put the bill
through the two houses Of congress.
1t also signalized the fulfillment Of
the second principal pledge of the
Democratic platform upon which Mr..
Wilson ran for the presidency.
The conference report on the banking
bill, which WAS agreed to by the house.
WAS passed In the senate, and the en-
bossed copy Of it, bearing the sigma
lures of Vice President Marshall and
Speaker Clark, was hurried to the
White House.
Wilson Speaks After Signing.
In speech that he delivered after
attaching his signature to the bill Pres
ident Wilson proclaimed the law as O
Constitution Of peace" for the bust.
ness interests Of the United States. He
expressed pleasure ain completing q
work which, think will be of lasting
benefit to the business of the country"
While the president did not say so in
actual words, he made it plain that 1t
was his belief that the new law would
hA af
commerce.
Mr. Wilson said he had been sur
prised at the Sudden acceptance" Of
the measure by public opinion every
where. Business men, he said. had
opened their eyes to find in the meas
ure, which they supposed to be hos
tile, serviceable friend.
When President Wilson signed the
bill official Washington knew practical
ly nothing of the plans he had for the
personnel Of the federal reserve board,
which is to exercise the central power
over the new system.
It was known that score of men
from different sections Of the country
had been recommended for appoint
ment and that these recommendation
had been forwarded to Secretary Nc
Adoo for examination, but beyond this
statements with regard to that body
were speculative.
Secretary McAdoo probably is the
only man from whom the president
has not kept his ideas In this respect.
The secretary saw the president at the
cabinet meeting and was summoned
In the afternoon to the White House
for long conference.
Up 10 the adjournment of the senate
It WAS expected that the president
would nominate Assistant Secretary OF
the Treasury John Skelton Williams
to be CONT Tller Of the currency.