The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-10
SENATE REPLIES TO
| BANKERS ATTACK
ON CURRENCY BILL
Wilson Does Not Believe
Views Represent General
Public Sentiment
PURPOSE TO DEFEAT
MEASURE, SAYS OWEN
Senator Thomas Declares Attack in
Boston an "Organized Conspiracy"
to Misrepresent Wilson and
Impede Legislation

Washington. October "a concerted
defense by administration forces
against criticisms of the currency bill
by bankers at the Boston convention
of the American Bankers association
and against what was alleged TO be an
organized effort to hinder it's consid-
GRAFTON and passage, served to clear the
air in Washington today and to in
spire a new feeling of confidence to-
night in democratic circles
Senate debate in which the bankers
criticisms came in for sharp answer
from friends of the bill found its echo
later in the day when President Wilson
made plain to callers his own view of
the recent developments surrounding
the bill.
The President let it be known that
he did not think the views of the Bos
ton bankers convention. as they bore
on the currency bill now before the
Senate, represented the general public
sentiment of the country. In the Presi
dents view the attacks made on the
bill by the Boston conference repre-
sented the activities of men whom he
"
but who individuals refused to yield
their position of control of the coun-
try's financial system.
The expressions in the Senate were
more emphatic.
Owen Expresses Opinion
Il think the Boston meetings. OBJ
vious purpose was to work up opposi-
tion to this bill" said Senator Owen,
and either to force the bankers
view or to delay or defeat this bill"
Senator Thomas talked of an Organ
lied conspiracy" to misrepresent the
President and impede legislation. SEN
ator Overman declared the Boston con-
| ference did not reflect the views of the
/ seneral public, and Senator owen, an
swering question by his democratic
colleagues, said he believed there was
| an organized propaganda against the
| bill that found its reflection In the Bos-
ton conference, and In the various state
bankers conventions which have
| adopted resolutions criticising the cur
rency measure.
The results of the Senate debate and
of the later discussions by the Presi-
dent with White House visitors were
to develop the following facts
That no effort will be made to make
the currency bill party measure in the
Senate unless 1t becomes impossible 20
get 1t through in any other way.
That the President believes early ac-
tion on the bill is essentinal while
many democratic senators will oppose
any effort to unduly force the situa-
ton.
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 eallers that
time was most essential in the currency
situation; that with the big accumula-
tions of business in the autumn ana
early winter. business men were anx-
ious that the banking and credit ques-
tion would be definitely settled at once
While the President also took the
position that the Senates currency
hearings had been unduly prolonged
members of the Senate in the debate
of that body indicated general satisfac-
ton with the facts and information dis
closed through these hearings.
Passage in December
1t was apparent when today's hear
ings on the currency bill ended that
there had been no change in commit
tee sentiment indicating an earlier ter
mination of the committee work DEM
ocratic members insisted, however, that
with proper time for consideration, 1t
would be possible to get completed
bill out of the committee i'm November
and that its passage through the Sem
ate might be accomplished some time
in December
James G. Cannon. president of the
South National bank of New York will
discuss the bill before the Senate COM
mittee tomorrow. Frank A. Vanderbilt
president of the National City bank
concluded his analysis of the measure
today. Nathaniel French of Davenport,
Ia, also occupied the witness stand for
a short time before adjournment in
dorshg the bill in its vital features.