New-York tribune., 1913-12-24

criticism from the Republicans, as 1t
was realized that the majority would
approve the measure as reported by
the conference committee.
The determination of the administra-
ton, while disavowing any political
purpose. TO place the organization OF
the new system in the hands Of admin
istration officials--the Secretaries Of the
Treasury and Agriculture and the Con-
troller of the Currency-was bitterly
criticised by Senator Weeks, a member
of the Banking and Currency Commit
tee, although he voted to approve the
report.
Although we have been assured,
said Senator Weeks, that political
considerations are not to have any
force in the organization of this sys-
tenn, at the outset the wiser provisions
of the Hitchcock amendment and the
Senate bill placing the task Of organi-
zation in the hands Of the Federal Re-
serve Board are discarded for the
House provision. ] believe that TINS
was the purpose of the administration
leaders back of this measure from the
beginning"
The Republicans raised their voices
in futile protest against the exclusion
Of the Republican Senators from the
deliberations Of the conference COM
mittee. but were met with the reply
that the same had been done under
Republican rule. Senator Owen and
other Democratic members Of the
Banking and Currency Committee JUS
tified their action on the ground that
the measure was partisan. and that
they could not achieve the purpose Of
the majority in any other way.
Senator Townsend brought Secretary
Bryan into the debate, without men,
tioning him by name. by declaring
that the measure opened the way for
the imitation Of the currency in ac-
cordance with the ideas of one of the
dominating figures of this administra-
ton.
Il shall vote against this report"
Senator Townsend said, because l be-
iieve that money has already been in
fiated and because IL is only reasona-
bic to suppose that under the influence
of one of the important and dominat-
ling members of the administration the
Il h-oposed system will be shaped to in
fla te II still further"
Defended by Shafroth.
m, this Senator Shafroth replied that
the opposition was not consistent in
sayiu>- that the bill provided for the
inAatio n of the currency, and, at the
same time, that it turned the re-
sources of the country over TO the
bankers. Mr.. Shafroth also defended
Senator owen, who was accused by
Senator Br istow of having a selfish in
terest in th, enactment Of the law be-
cause he was interested in banks.
Speaker Cnrk signed the enrolled
currency bill a. 2:4S o'clock and 1t was
hurried over 40 the Senate. final
round Of Demot ratio applause accom-
panied the fixing of the bold signature
of the presiding ,officer of the House
Within a few minutes the perfected
bill, signed by the 'Vice-President' was
returned from the Senate and was
sent.on its way to the White House.
This formality endet, Representative
Underwood announced there was no
further bushes for the House to trans
act and adjournment WAS taken until
January y, 1914.
AS soon as the gavel fell for the
holiday recess there was a hurried exit
and scores Of members. heht mere De-
cause il was feared some obA treperous
legislator might demand a OUT rum for
the signing OF the currency b ILL., le1'
for the Union Station. The tCapto
will be practically deserted tom. rroW
Speaker Clark, who took no part IT
the debate on the conference ra'or'
last night. issued statement this .af
ternoon on the currency bill and lti
probable beneficial effect on the coun
try.
Clark S0nSrdluldNee SooHh'|'
Most assuredly the country is to be
congratulated" said the Speaker, "on
the fact that at last the currency bill
is upon the statute books, for in such
matters Of great pith and moment Ii is
the uncertainty that hurts-even where
a bill might be the sum total OF human
,,,Iodoro on anv particular subject.
Now. all men OF intelligence viii Know
very soon what the currency bill con-
tains and what II means, and can con-
duct their affairs accordingly.
my own judgment is that 1t will be
satisfactory to the country in high
degree; at least, / hope so. The fact
that a large number Of Republicans
and Progressives voted for our bill Is
proof positive that the country is well
pleased with the bill.
80 many of them so voted that 1t
may not improperly be denominated a
non-partisan currency law We GER
tainly have ample cause for self-con-
graduation that in nine months we
have passed a bill revising all the tariff
schedules and a bill thoroughly revis-
ing and overhauling our currency sys-
tenn.
"Our two bills are excellent samples
Of constructive legislation. The tarff
bill is working well. and now that the
uncertainty as to the currency bill is
removed I hope and believe that the