Evening star., 1914-12-21
SEEK T0IMPR0VE
LOAN SHARK LAW
W. H. Baldwin and Henry
White Ask Assistance of
President.
WILSON WILL PRESENT
TURKEYS TO EMPLOYEES
One for Each White House Worker
Except Clerks-Christmas Plans
of Family.

President Wilson's interest in efforts
to improve the loan shark law of the
District by amendments al the present
session OF Congress was awakened to-
day by statements as to the bad points
of the existing law made to him by
William II. Baldwin and Henry White
former ambassador in the service OF
the United States The visitors found
the. President. greatly. concerned in
their statements concerning the opera
tons of the present law, but whether
he will use his influence with the House
and Senate District committees to put
through amendments now pending is
not known.
Inc main amendment sought is an in
crease in the rate of interest from / to
= per cent per month. which the visit
ors believe wilt be sufficient to stop il
legitimate business and to furnish re-
lief to those in rea; need of occasional
loans. The House committee the Presl-
dent was told, more than six months
ago voted by an overwhelming ma
jorit" in favor of a per cent rate,
but te proposed amendment has not
been brought before the House for ac-
ton.
Think Congress Should Amend Law.
1t is believed Congress is familiar
enough with the local situation to act
upon the amendments that are ap-
proved by citizens of the District if the
measure can be gotten before both
bodies.
The Presidents callers think that
enough distress has already been
caused, not to consider the evasions of
the law, to hasten action, and they ear
nestIy nope men of great influence like
the President will become so deeply in
terested as to apply themselves to Sc
curing the relief that would be brought
Dy the : per cent amendment and the
rev other amendments sought, includ-
ing a prohibition against loan COM
panles doing savings bank business
Turkey Gifts by President.
President Wilson will follow the long
standing custom of Presidents and dis
tribute fine. fat turkeys for Christmas
to all the employees of the White House
and grounds, except the clerical force
He has given orders for the purchase
OF as many turkeys as will be neces-
sary. The number is usually about 125
All the policemen inside and outside of
the White House are included in the
distribution, which will be made We'd
neSday or Thursday.
The President has recently been maxi
ing purchases Of presents for members
of his family and personal friends His
own Christmas. as well as that of the
immediate members of his family, will
be quiet one.
Mrs. Francis B. Sayre daughter of
the President, is expected at the White
House today or tomorrow to remain for
the holidays.
Miss Margaret Wilson. head of the
c.t,
mother, has made no arrangements for
Christmas tree, and the friends who
call upon her will do SO in an informal
neighborly manner.
Christmas remembrances from friends
throughout the country are beginning
to arrive in express wagons for the
President, Miss Wilson, Miss Bones and
Secretary Tumulty. The visits of the
wagons will increase between now and
Friday. Boxes of fine fruits are among
Will Attend Church.
Unless compelled to do so President
offices Christmas day and he will urge
his subordinates to spend as much time
away from the offices as possible. In
the morning the President will attend
church services with members of his
family and in the afternoon he will go
riding or walking.
Tommy" Callahan, one Of the secret
service men stationed at the White
House since the Wilson administration
came into office, has been promoted and
assigned to management of the Salt
Lake headquarters of the secret serv-
ice. lie left today for New York to
spend Christmas and will then go west
His territory includes three western
states.