The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-05-23

1913, Of some of the principal crops in
Florida, on the basis of 100 represent
ing a normal, was as follows: Pine
apples, 81; orange trees. %; lime
trees. 100; grapefruit 81; peaches,
SO; pears, 49, Strawberries, 90; white
potatoes, 90 spring pasture, 50.
The currency problem, next to be
considered by congress, after the tar
if bill is out of the way, already is
causing the democrats considerable
worry and study.
The task of revising the banking
and currency laws promises to prove
even more difficult for the democrats
than the revision of the tariff
Strong opposition to undertaking at
this time a revision of the banking and
currency laws exists among house
democrats, as welPas democratic sen
ators However, President Wilson is
insisting that banking and currency
legislation be taken up by the house
at this session. He has called in
Leader Underwood, and despite the
fact that Mr. Underwood is averse to
considering banking and currency
legislation now. he has consented to
go ahead with it.
The president, however, has by nc
means the unanimous support of the
house democrats in trying to force
consideration of this legislation. Ir
fact he has so much opposition that
ii is not at all certain that he can
force a bill through the house in the
present session. 1t is considered al
most out of the question to get a bill
through the senate before the next
regular session
Numerous house democrats are
threatening to revolt against any plan
to force them to take UP currency leg
islation in the special session. Fol-
this attitude different causes are as
signed. One reason is that opinions
are uniformed and many are fearful
the proposed legislation will be half
baked
Some Of the democrats think that
inasmuch as the tariff is about to be
revised, it would be unwise to put
through at the same time too much
big legislation of a kind effecting
large changes in the affairs of the
world of business. Others in the
house say it would draw attention
away from the tariff. and that while
the house is debating currency re-
form, the senate may run away with
the Underwood bill, kidnap it bodily
and misuse it grossly.
Furthermore. a lot of the radical
democrats in the house are skeptical
about the plan of banking Legislation
which is proposed and which is un-
der discussion among Congressman
Glass. the president, Senator Owen
and some other leaders. This plan
is being attacked as akin TO the Aid
rich plan and a bankers plan
Criticism is even heard to the eff
feet that the administration. having
forced on the country d tariff bill
which great interests do not like, will
endeavor to even things up with the
moneyed interests by putting through
a banking and currency law, which
will suit large banking concerns.
BY no means all of such criticism
emanates from republican sources
Some of the house democrats are dis
tincJly hostile to trying TO legislatt
on banking and currency in a com
prehensive way at this time 1t look:
as if nothing but the use OF whip anC
spur could force the house democrat
ic caucus to accept bill such as /!
proposed-one drawn on the region
al reserve bank theory.
The situation is uncertain enough
so that much talk is now afloat L
! the effect that if an attempt is made
TO drive the caucus into swallowin:
such a measure, without the mos
ample consideration, there will be
big revolt, and many will stay out 0
caucus Such a development nigh
prove the death blow to the attempt
to put legislation through the hous
| by the caucus method.