Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-08-16
VOTE AS SOLID BODY
Passage Of Emergency Currency.
Shipping and Tourists Relief Bills
BY House in One Day Shows
Calibre OF Congress.

was recently SHOWN IN the passage OF
three emergency bills made necessary
because of the great European con-
flict.
In the house, where two of these
bills originated, the big aisle which
divides the majority from the minori-
ty was fguratvely eliminated and
the visitor in the galleries, listening
10 patriotic addresses, could not dis
tinguish Democrat from Republican
or Progressive. Practically the same
condition existed in the senate. where
men laid aside their personal and
political differences to enact legis-
ed necessary.
The passage Of three emergency
bills il one day in the house Of re-
personalities was an unusual if not
unprecedented, proceeding Each
measure was of great Importance and
yet no member sought to hold up
proceedings by extended speechmak-
ing, although there was an excellent
opportunity afforded for playing to
the galleries.
Emergency Currency.
First, the house passed senate
bill providing for the issue of emer-
gency currency and giving the sec
rotary Of the treasury authority to
turn over to national Danks, upon
proper security, approxima tely one
billion dollars in additional circula-
ton. The mere thought of 81 ,O00,-
100000 il emergency currency was
believed to be sufficient to stay any
oanic which might be threatened in
this country because of the Euro
pean war and the outgo of gold and
confidence returned in the financial
world as soon as congress had acted.
But six members of the house voted
against this bill and they did not fin
ally oppose it when the conference
report was returned "a hours later.
These six members, Bull Moosers.
based their opposition on the fear
that the legislation might rebound
more to the big bankers of Wall
street and New York than the aver
age banker in the more remote sec
tions of the country
Shipping Bill.
Next came the Underwood bill,
agreed upon by the president and the
majority leader. to. amend the regis
ration laws of the United States sol
as to encourage the American regis
try of foreign built vessels during
the European war and the consequent
congestion on the seas of all traffic
This measure had been hurridly
prepared on the Saturday proceed
ing the Monday on which it was pass
I'd and even members who have hest
tated to vote for merchant marine
bills because of the cry of "shipI
subsidy" fell in line and quickly dis
posed of the emergency measure It'll
is true that it contained no ship sub
sidy provisions, but it has been diff
ficult heretofore to get through the
house any shipping legislation be-
cause of opposition to the so-called
shipping trust The administration's
emergency bin was passed on a viva
voce vote.
Relief for Tourists.
A few minutes later the house put
through on viva voce vote an ap-
of $25O,O00 to relieve
stranded Americans in Europe, where
letters of credit and American
money were no longer being recog-
nlzed. 1t was soon ascertained that
this appropriation would be but a
drop il the bucket and two days later
the appropriations committee of the
senate and house and asked for ST.
100000 additional it was quickly vot-
ed in both bodies. The vote in each
instance was unanimous and there
was practically no debate, except for
expressions that in times like this
it behooves every members of con-
gress, regardless of party affiliations,
to stand behind those il control OF
the government and meet emergenc-
les as they arise because of devastat-
ing war abroad which will have an
effect throughout the entire civilized
world.
Patriots Not Pxrtisans.
That both the senate and house
stands ready to enact speedily any
legislation which may be needed in
the present crisis was demonstrated
by the brief discussion on these
bills. Considering the
currency bill. Mr. Mann, the Repub-
lcan floor leader. said the time had
arrived to remember "that we are
all patriots standing together, and
are not partisians," As Republicans,
Democrats and PrOgressives joined in
speeches to avert panic, to strength
en- the American merchant marine
and to relieve embarrassed American
citizens-some $4,000 in number
who were marooned when the war
clouds swept over Europe, the ap-
plause was general and remarkable
spirit of patriotism prevailed. n
J. Not knowing Whn it will be neces-
sary to pass additional legislation. the
need for which may como up over
night. both houses on congress are
going to maintain quorums in WASH
ington uatil the European situation