The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-10-15
BANKERS ASSAULT STRENGTHENS
CURRENCY STAND
CRITICISM IS ANSWERED
President Thinks Views Do Not Rep
resent Public Sentiment-Does Not
Wish to Make Bill Party Meas
ure But VIII Do so if Necessary to
Secure Action in Senate.

A concerted defence by administra-
ton forces against criticisms of the
currency bill by bankers at the Bos-
ton Convention of the American
Bankers Association and against
what was alleged to be an organized
effort to hinder its consideration and
passage, served to clear the air in
Washington Thursday and to inspire
new feeling of confidence in Demo-
sratic circles. A Senate debate in
which the bankers criticism came in
for sharp answer from friends Of the
bill, found it's echo later in the day
when Presiden Wilson made plain to
callers his own view of the recent de-
velopments surrounding the bill.
The President let it be known that
he did not think the views Of the
Boston Bankers Convention, as they
bore on the currency bill now before
the Senate, represented the general
public sentiment OF the country. In
the Presidents view the attacks made
on the bill by the Boston conference
represented the activities Of men
whom he believed to be acting with
sincerity, but who as individuals re-
fused to yield their position Of con =
troll Of the country's financial system.
The expressions IN the Senate were
more emphatic. 'tI think the Boston
meetings obvious purpose was to
work up opposition to this BILL" said
Senator Owen, "and either to force
the bankers view or to delay or de-
feat this bill"
Senator Thomas talked Of an cor
ganIzed conspiracy to misrepresent
the President and impede legislation;
Senator Overman declared the Boston
conference did not reflect the views
Of the general public; and Senator
Owen. answering question by his
Democratic colleagues, said he believ-
ed there was an organized propagan-
da against the bill that found its re-
fectton in the Boston conference, and
In the various State bankers conven-
tions. which have adopted resolutions
criticising the currency measure.
The result of the Senate debate
had Of the latter discussions by the
President with White House visitors
were to develop the following facts:
That no effort will be made to
make the currency bill a party meas
ure in the Senate unless it becomes
impossible to get it through in any
other way.
That the President believes early
action on the bill is essential. while
many Democratic Senators will op-
pose any effort to unduly force the
situation.
That the criticism Of the bankers
conference at Boston has tended to
solidify the Democratic ranks in sup
port Of the bill.
President Wilson told callers that
time was most essential in the cur
rency situation: that with the big
accumulations Of business in the au-
tumn and early winter. business men
we're anxious that the banking and
credit question should be definitely
settled at once.
While the President also took the
rosition that the Senate's currency
hearings had been unduly prolonged,
members Of the Senate in the debate
Of that body indicated general salts
faction with the facts and informa-
ton disclosed through these hearings.
It was apparent when Thursdays
hearings Of the currency bill ended
that there had been no change in
committee sentiment indicating an
earlier termination Of the committee
work. Democratic members insist
ed, however. that with proper time
for consideration, it would be possible
to get complete bill out Of the COM
mittee in November and that its pas
sage through the Senate might be &C