Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-09

tam the views OF the President. SEN
ator Kern. chairman of the caucus. was
out Of the city last night. but Senator
swanson conferred with him over the
tons-distance telephone, and obtained
his authority for sending out the call
for the caucus.
Committee Seems Deadlocked.
Tho banking and currency committee
spent practically the entire day yes
tcrday trying to reach some conclusion
as To the number of regional reserve
banks which shall be provided for in
the bill. The committee seemed hope
iessiy deadiocked Senator Hitchcock
democrat. voting with the republicans
against any increase in the number of
banks over four
1t was at this point that Senator Swan
son, who had earlier circulated a peti-
ton for democratic conference. came
into the situation.
The petition for the call had been sign
ed by twenty-three democratic senators.
just as soon as the committee broke up
Senator Swanson left the Capitol and
hurried to the White House He talked
briefly with the President and on his re-
turn to the Capitol sought Chairman
owen and Senator'S Pomerene Hollis and
Shafroth. the administration committee
men. They signed the petition and Sem
ator Swanson Immediately issued the
call
wording OF the Petition.
The petition. which was addressed to
Senator Kern. chairman of the demo-
cratic conference, read:
The undersigned believing it important
hat conference Of democratic sena-
tors should be held. so that they may ad-
wise together with respect to banking
and currency legislation. request you to
call such conference at the earliest date
within which you may be able to give
reasonable notice to absent senator's
The petition was signed by Senators
Martin. Swanson. Smith of Maryland,
Ashurst. Chamberlain. Chiffon. Fletcher,
Lewis. MARITIME, Myers. Overman, Pitmau
Shepherd. Shields. Simmons, Smith of
Arizona. Stone, Thomas Thompson Till
man. Vardaman. Walsh, Williams, Owen,
Pomerene, Hollis and Shafroth.
No Comment at White House.
No comment was made at the White
House on the developments in the situa-
ton. but Senator Swanson gave out the
following statement:
Relieving that there has already been
too much delay in the enactment of cur
rency legislation. and perceiving that
there seems to be irreconcilable differ
ences between the democratic members
OF the banking and currency committee
OF the Senate, and thinking that the
proper and best way to adjust these diff
ferences was a conference of the demo-
cratic members of the Senate. l circu-
lated a petition for such a conference
and fwenty-seyen senators have signed
the call. Nearly all the democratic sena-
tors in Washington have signified their
desire for conference l believe most
or those absent concur in this.
The country has given the demo-
cratic party power under promise to
enact reform legislation, included in
which Is banking and currency: il should
rot and cannot shirk its responsibjIity
BEING responsible for the character of
the legislation, the time has arrived for
Inc democratic senators to hold CON
ference and consider their united obi
cations and duties to the country We
owe II To the country and our party not
10 permit this opportunity TO pass TO OBJ
tain mch-needed banking and currency
reform.
To Facilitate Legislation.
The conference is called for this pur-
pose and TO hasten and facilitate such
legislation. 1t is not intended to reflect
upon any one, and is called with the
earnest hope and expectation that it will
result in giving TO the country soon a
banking and currency bill beneficial 10
al our varied interests. and for which
the democratic party Will unitedly stand
and point To in the future as an act Of
proud achiesement."
charge was made by one member of
the committee. following the meeting
Yesterday afternoon, that the adininistra-
tion senators on the committe were try
nag to maintain the deadlock and delay
the framing Of the bill so that this could
be made an excuse for calling a demo
cratic caucus on the currency bill Ii
was said that the President and his sup
portegs on the committee feared that the
committee would finally get together on
the number of regional reserve banks
and would then put through other
amendments 20 the bill which the Presi-
dent is unwilling 10 have made. How
ever that may be, the administration sup
porters brought about an adjournment
ot the conInitte AT I o'clock. instead OF
sIttlhS untIi u . clock. the usual practice
Of the committee The committee Will
meet again tomorrow morning.
O'Gorman and Reed Undecided.
Two members of the co.<mittee Sena-
tors OGorulan and Reed. both demo-
Gratis, who have been strongly in favor OF
some radical amendments to the BILL are
on the horns of dilemma IL was said
last night. They do not wish 10 part
company with the administration yet
they are strongly in favor of some
amendments which they fear majority
Cf the democratic caucus. under the whir
of the administration, will not accept
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska the
.nird democrat or the committee, who
.lss refused 10 stand for the administra-
ton piii is determined in his course and
he viii oppose the administration bill
unless 1t is very much amended no mat.
ter what action the caucus may ttke
An attemp; was made TO bring the dem