The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-04-01
PLAN money BILLS
peMocAATs PROPOSE TO HAVE
TIE MEASURES READY FOR
REGULAR SESSION.
MATERIAL FOR COMMITTEE
Program for Congress Next December
includes Also Antitrust leaisIa-
tlon, Conservation, Public Land
Laws and Army Reorosnixstions.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

WashlngtOn.-The Democratic lead
ers say they do not wish the country
to understand, because the chances
are that the tariff will be the sole sub
ject for legislative action at the extra
session, that the party In congress
does not intend to pave the way for
other legislation and TO give due atten-
ton In a studious way to everything
covered by the platform pledges.
II the currency IL not considered at
the extra session 1t will be studied by
the committees on banking and cur
rency, the one of the house and the
other OF the senate. II Is extremely
probable that by the time the extra
session adjourns both OF these COM
mittees will have agreed upon majori-
ty reports on the currency, which will
be very much alike in character. 1t Is
possible that they will be identical,
but II they are to be identical the
house committees members must
yield something In the way Of compro-
mise to the senate committee mem
bers. and the reverse.
The thought Of the Democratic lead.
ers is that II will be wise to have cur
rency legislation, as it is the party's
intention to pass II definitely outlined
by the time the extra session adjourns
In order that the country may be given
q chance to get acquainted between
sessions with what 1t is that the party
in power intends to do along currency
reform lines.
Sure to Cause Trouble.
There Is bound to be a lot Of trou-
BILE over currency reform. 1t is safe
enough to put this prophesy down as
a fact because there has been strong
opposition to every currency measure
which has been proposed since the
government was founded. Through
the Pujo committee which Investigated
matters concerning the so-called
money trust and through hearings held
by other committees, the Democratic
party in congress already has a good
deal of information concerning the
diverse views on financial legislation
held by banks and business men in the
tees will have the voluminous report
OF the commission appointed by Re-
publican congress to consider cur
rerc:S legislation, committee OF
which Nelson w. Aldrich, former sena-
tor from Rhode Island. was the chair
man.
The two committees on banking and
currency, therefore, will have all
sorts of material to draw upon for in
formation, and In addition they prob
ably will summon more bankers and
more business men to give any addi-
tional views which they may have
upon this subject.
Program for Regular Session.
Already the Democrats have framed
tentative program for the regular
session. which will begin next Deem
Der, They are looking beyond the
tariff and taking II for granted that
the customs legislation will occupy the
entire time of the extra session, and
they are preparing the way for the
consideration of antitrust legislation.
conservation, public land measures
and army organizations when the Po-
tomac freezes next winter.
The Democratic leaders think that
the three great legislative measures
upon which the continued dominance
OF their party depends are the tariff.
the currency and antitrust enact
ments. President Wilson believes, and
has said SO publicly. that competitive
conditions can be restored In the bush
ness Of the United States. The lead
ers say that there can be but one
meaning to this, that the big corpora
tons or trusts not only must be split
into their component parts. but must
be made to do business as individual
companies, without entering into any
trade combinations which will be con-
trary to the antitrust laws after they
have ben amended.
This seems TO be the program as
definitely arranged. At the extra SEES
sion, the tariff only; at the first regu-
lar session. currency and antitrust
legislation. II there Is time for the con-
slderation OF both without having the
two subjects up at the same time.
Murdeek May Lead Progresslves.
Members Of the next house who
were elected as representatives of the
Progressive party are casting about
for q leader The Progressive mem
bership will not be large. but II will
be big enough to form q formidable
fighting force In itself. and especially
a formidable one. II an understanding
is reached between the Progresslves
and the progressive Republicans.
Progsessiyes who have been look
ing about for a leader have been un-
able to, find one In their own ranks
who they think would measure up TO
the requirements OF the coming occa-
sion. rot because there is any lack
OF ability in the Progressive ranks,
they say. but because there Is lack
OF experience among them in house
procedure and In matters legislative.
II Is lrumored. and In fact some
thing stronger than rumor enters into
IT, that DE Progressives think Victor
MurdoeA nroaraasiva Ranuhlican NJ