The San Francisco call., 1913-07-25
COME FERENCE OVER
CURRENCY BILL
ENDS IN CHAOS
Situation So Serious Hurry
Call Comes From White
House to Representa-
tive Henry
INSURGENT MEMBERS
OFFER AMENDMENTS
Radical Changes Proposed
Boards Powers to Be
Curbed

WASHINGTON. July 24.-The admin
istration currency bill became today
the center of chaos in the conference
of democratic members of the house
banking and currency committee. After
stormy session today the conference
oroke up tonight with an interminable
vista OF opposition and discussion
opened up, and the prospects OF an
agreement on the bill apparently re-
ducsd TO a vague and shadowy hope
Even Chairman Glass, champion of
the bill on the house side, was about
ready TO abandon the idea of getting
his colleagues together. President
Wilson regarded the situation as so
serious that he arranged for a con-
ference at the White House tonight
with Representative Henry of Texas,
chairman OF the house rules committee.
who has been advising with the In
gurgent' committe emen. The inter
view lasted until we'll into the night
The conference today was turbulent
from the outset.
After reopening the discussion OF the
fundamental feature of the bill, the
government control through the broad
powers OF the proposed federal re-
serve board. Representative Bulkeley
OF Ohio held the floor for an hour In
rather free discussion OF President
Wilson's attitude toward the bill. II
became apparent that the proposal to
keep this board a strictly government
institution, urged by President Wilson
as one OF the essentials, was a point
of wide disagreement. Then Repre-
sentative Ragsdale presented a set Of
amendments. practically rewriting the
essentials of the bill. These amend
rnents framed by Representative Henry
and Representative Ragsdale, represent
the sentiment of the so called In
surgent' democrats on the currency
question, and provide for currency is
sued on warehouse receipts for cotton.
corn and wheat Representatives Henry
and Ragsdale announced their intention
OF fighting for the amendments, not
only in the conference OF the committee
democrats. but in the full committee.
the democratic caucus and possibly
on the hoor of the house.
President Wilson's recently pub
lished political work. THE New Free
DOM" furnished the text OF Represent
ative Bulkeley's discussion. Mr.. Bulke-
ley quoted from the presidents work
passages which he said showed that
when the book was written President
Wilson was opposed to the idea of
placing vast governmental responsible
ties in the hands OF restricted bodies
which in any way might be controlled
or Influenced by financial or industrial
interests.
representative korbly of Indiana re-
piled at length TO Mr.. Bulkeley and
Chairman Glass himself took a hand
in the discussion, which became rather
bitter.
Meanwhile the president is closely
watching the progress OF the bill in
the house and regards the vigorous
debates among the democrats on the
house banking and currency committee
as wholesome discussion calculated
to bring out better measure.
When he left the White House to-
night Representative Henry said he
could not discuss his conference with
the president, and White House officials
we're equally reticent. It is expected,
however. that Mr.. Henry's report on the
interview will play a prominent part
2 tomorrows meeting of the commit
tee democrats.