The Washington times., 1914-05-13
WILSON APPROVES
CAUCUS PROGRAM
Elimination of Rural Credits
Legislation Presages Early
Adjournment.

President Wilson this morning bowed
gracefully 10 the action OF the House
caucus last night in refusing TO include
rural credit legislation in the prog ram
TO be acted upon before adjournment
He likewise approved the action. In
short, the President informed Chair
man Glass of the House Banking and
Currency Committee, VINO told him OF
the caucus action, that the tentative
bill, proposed by Cong g-cssman Bulk
iey's subcommittee, had never met with
his approval.
This bill, the President has main
Iained. in providing ony for farm
mortgage loans, took care Of the farm
owners and not OF the tenants. On the
other hanu. the Federal reserve act, in
its amended form, gave promise of
being able to meet the needs of the
farming class. The President is willing
that rural credits legislation should be
held up until the Federal reserve act
has had opportunity TO fulfill this,
promise.
MIR. Glass explained to the President
lrts morning that the Federal reserve
act, in its amended form, provides half
a billion dollars IN the wa OF ive-year
mortgages. which NAV be renewed at
the end OF maturity and in the way of
current rediscount OF paper contracts
FOR farm operations. 1t provides further
facilities exclusively for the benefit of
farmers, maturity of six months,
whereas commercial ami Industrial pa
per have matGrity of only ninety
DAYS
Mr.. Glass pointed out that on the
mortgage provision alone s359. .09O,Oc0 OF
1sim credits are made available and,
on the rediscount provision OF the bill
AIr. Glass figures that farm credits of
even more than s5O0,e00,9O) are made
available.
The House Democrats TODAY stand
committed to legislative program en-
oractnS only antitrust legislation and
The appropriation bills, and hopes of
comparatively early adjournment are
again IN the ascendancy. The pro-
gram, shaped along the lines suggested
pE the President. who at the last mo-
nlent eliminated rural credits legisla-
tion, was agreed upon at a party eau
Gus which was held last night
The Democrats of the lower body of
congress wraneled until almost mid
night. but the Administration slate was
approved, and rural credits, conserva-
non. and legislation forbidding gambling
IN cotton and grain futures We're not
included in the party schedule
Prohibition and woman suffrage were
not discussed at the caucus. owing to
previous agreement not to inject these
as purely party issues.
etSi CiSAl "dSeQ.
Congressman Ragsdale of South Caro-
lima, criticised the President in the !
caucus saving that he had agreed when |
the currency bill was passed to stand |
sponsor for a bill establishing a sys-
TEN OF rural credits at this session of !
Congress The President Changed his |
plans, Mr. Ragsdale charged, because |
the subcommittee in charge of the rural |
credits bill had declined to draw a bill |
thoroughly in accord with White House !
dictates.
Congressman Ragsdale. who left the
caucus in huff, charged that The !
farmer HAD been showed aside
While the legislative program adopt !
ed b. the caucus does not absolutely !
preclude consideration of other i'm
portant measures at this session the |
chances are against such considera-
ktion. The Rules Committee VIII be dis !
inclined to report a special rule for pro-
ilbition "r anything e-se in view of ;
the hands OFF" attitude OF The caucus.
Quotes President.
At the outset of the caucus Sir. I'm
derwood. the majority leader, with
fresh information from the White
House. informed his Democratic COL |
leagues that the President would be
content with a legislative program
embracing only the three antitrust
bills. He quoted the President as be-
ing insistent upon the passage of
these measures.
MI. Cnuerwood said the President
did not desire that the House should
EleIo ITS rights as coordinate
branch OF the Government so far Is
the enactment Of other bills vas con-
cerned. but the majority leader made
" plain that Mr.. Wilson desired Con-
gross TO do its important work and
adjourn. ''0