Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-01
REFORM
AT ONCE, IS URGED
President Wilson's Stand May
Cause Continuous Ses-
sion of Congress.
SENATOR OWEN FAvORS
EARLY ACTION ON BILL
Tillman and Representative Johnson
Also Point Out Why There
Should Be No Delay.

President Wilson's letter of May % to
Senator Tillman. made public yesterday,
in which he strongly urges the enactment
of currency reform law at the present
session. gave new life last night to the
gossip that Congress would be here
through the summer and fall, up to the
time that the regular session opens in
December.
The opinion was expressed that there
would be a long debate over the currency
measure in both Senate and House. long
er perhaps than has been anticipated.
The fact that the President has come
out within the last few days SO strong
ly in favor of having Congress keep
right at work until "a currency law is
passed leads to the belief that he
Will send message to Congress deal
ing with the subject dsf CURRENCY. which
Will be cOuched in no uncertain terms
as to the need for immediate action
Owen for Early Action.
Senator Owen, chairman of the COM
mtttee on banking and currency. all
along has been heartily in favor of
taking up and passing a currency re-
form bill at the present session
Whether the leaders will be guided by
the President in this matter remains
to be seem 1t is certain that his
wishes will have great weight in the
final decision. Senator owen has an
nounced that hearings on the currency
before his committee will be begun this
week.
At the same time that Senator Till
man made public the letter of the Pres
ident, he also made public a letter of
Representative Johnson of South Caro-
lima. which Senator Tillman had
zxyf <rrc De- r
consideration. Representative john
son. in statement last night declared
that the currency and tariff laws should
be enacted las soon as possible in
order that their good effect may be
manifest to the country by the fall of
1914"
Johnson's Position.
Let us go to the country upon the
demonstrated good effects of our legisla-
ton rather than upon evil prophasies OF
our opponents continued Mr. johnson.
This is bound to happen if we wait
until just before the next election to pass
the law.
The suggestion that Congress had not
time to fully discuss and digest currency
reform, Mr.. Johnson declared, at this SEES
sion was preposterous.
I'VE lave spent hundreds of thousands
of dollars gathering all the literature Of
the world on this subject" said he.
There are far better opportunities to
examine and digest the banking data
now than there will be ut the regular
session of Congress next December. The
great supply bills must then be prepared
and passed, and all the important com
mittees will be engaged IN the work
which regularly comes before such COM
mittees. If We postpone the reformation
of the banking laws until the regular
session they will not finally be passed un-
TIL the regular session of 1914.
Views Of Senator Tillman.
Senator Tillman gave it as his opin-
ion that it was of vital Importance to
party that currency legislation should
be enacted at the present session of
Congress
He said that the republicans were
lighting with two objects in view; to
as long as possible, and to retard or
prevent entirely Il revision of the
banking laws and currency system.
BY these means, he said. the republi-
cans hoped TO disgust the country
with the democratic party and bring
about the election of a republican
House next year and during the bal
ance Of President Wilson's administra-
ton prevent any remedial Legislation
" whatever.
When the House banking and cur
rency committee meets tn take up the
proposed currency legislation. move
will be made 10 have all meetings of the
committee open To the public. Repre-
sentative Lindbergh. Minnesota. the pro
gressive member OF the committee has
prepared a resolution 10 authorize this
The democrats may not oppose the plan.