The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-11
WILSON CURRENCY
PLANS REACH FIRST
REAL TEST TODAY
Measure To Be Laid Before
Democratic House Cau-
cus-OppOsitiOn Well
Organized

Washington August 10.-President
wilson's currency plans will meet
their first real test tomorrow when the
administration currency bill will De
laid before democratic House eau
Gus. The bill goes in with three ad :
verse democratic voters from the bank
ing committee; and with well organ
lied opposition against many of its
features within the democratica ranks
The President has been assured by
his advisers in Congress that the meas
ure can pass in the House without
material change; ,and he has not al
tered his purpose to insist upon cur
rency legislation at the present spec
ial session. The House caucus is
awaited with keen interest because of
the anticipation of a determined eff
fort to delay consideration of curren-
cy reform to make important changes
in the bill
The efforts of the President and
Secretary Mclsdoo to align sentiment in
the Senate in support of immediate cur
rency legislation have been less sue
eessful than in the House. However,
If the democratic leaders succeed in
lining up strong majority in the
House caucus tomorrow in support of
the bill and secure the approval of
the measure without change, it is
hoped the effect upon the Senate will
be to induce reluctant democratic mem-
bers to agree to immediate leglslation
Not Displace Tariff
While the banking bill is thus
thrust to the front at the beginning
of the week. ii will not displace the
tariff in the activities of the Congress
sional week. The Senate has reached
some of the most important sections
of the tariff revision bill; and within
the coming week that body is likely
to find itself in the midst of the fights
over the sugar tariff, agricultural
products and possibly the wooden
schedule.
These portions of the bill will bring
out the first important activities of
Senator LaFollette and are counted
upon also to show the first definite
alignment among the progressive re-
publican forces in support of substi-
tutes for the democratic tariff rates.
The progressive republicans have at
tempted to reach an understanding
over substitute sections and it is believ-
ed they will go into sugar, wool, cotton
and other contests, with an organized
to which they will try to
win all republicans and a few demo-
Gratis.
Slow Progress Made
The slow progress made during the
last week on the tariff bill has dis
an fF~ra acyn 4 -
predictions are made now as to the
probable dates for the passage of the
bill or the end of the special session.
But for the determination of the Pres
ident that currency reform shall be
taken up, the republicans undoubtedly
would Withdraw much of their opposi-
tion to the tariff bill and permit Its
speedy passage. convinced they would
be unable to amend ii by any extended
fight.
With the prospects of currency 1egis-
lation ahead of them, however, the
republican senators have made it evil
dent that they feel content to work
over the tariff until the currency bill
is through the House
Meantime the death of Senator John
ston has left scant majority on the
democratic side, which is giving the
leaders some apprehension, although
tHc oieAAiidte passage OF the Dill is SIlll
considered secure by a vote of As to Az
The actual democratic strength in the
Senate is SO, but the votes of Sena-
tors Thornton and Ransden of Louisi-
ana are expected to be cast against
the bill, because of its free sugar pro-
vision.
The House democratic caucus on the
currency bill begins at o'clock to-
morrow afternoon and is expected to
run through several days Representa-
tive Ragsdale, Neely of Nebraska and
Eagle of Texas, all democratic members
of the banking and currency committee
will Join in opposing Chairman Glass
favorable report on the bill. Repre-
sentative Wingo of Arkansas. another
member, also will oppose certain fea-
lures of the bill in the caucus, although
he has given his support to the gener-
al features of the bill
The chief fight is expected to CEN
ter about the amendments favored
by Representatives Henry of Texas.
Neely and others, for Agricultural cur
rency' based upon warehouse receipts
for wheat corn and cotton. Unsuccess-
full efforts were made by the advocates
of this plan to have 1t indorsed by the
President and Secretary McAdob. Since
then the leaders in the movement have
been organizing support for their
amendments among House dem ocratS
and will go into the caucus with a
strong following
A fight will be made to have the
caucus thrown open to the public. the
advocates of agricultural currency be-
lieving that publicity would greatly
strengthen their fight. This contest,
and that for amendments j. to prevent
boards Of directors in nat
1onal banks, are expected to be the
storm points in the caucus.
Adds Strength
Secretary McAdoo has added consid- :
cradle strength to the Presidents cur
rency reform movement, by his confer
ence with bankers and his efforts to
relieve crop moving stringencies Ad-
ministration leaders hope that If tho
amendments proposed by the bank ers
last week. to the reserve sections OF
the bill, are adopted. much of the op-
position now evident to immediate cur
rency reform will be withdrawn
With currency and tariff the only i'm
portant subjects actually before the
two Houses of Congress, Mexican mat
ters and the long continued lobby in
vestisations divided interest with them
In the activities of members of the two
Houses. 1t is expected an effort will
be made to keep discussion of the
Mexican situation out of the delbera-
tions of both Houses this week, so
that the Presidents Mexican policies
can be developed without embarrass-