The Washington times., 1914-07-09

The President has already taken steps
to strengthen his lines for the coming
battle, which, to all Appearances, VIII
be the most vigorously contested OF any
the President has had with the upper
branch of Congress. This morning he
received encouraging reports from two
of his scouts, Senators Thomas and
Shafroth Of Colorado. Both reported
that even though the committee reports
the two names unfavorabiy. as It Is ex-
pected to do, the Administration VIII
have strength enough in the Senate as
a whole, to overcome the unfavoraoie
report.
And this is to be the plan OF the
battle. within the next day or two the
the Senate, 1t is expected. The real
fight will take place on the floor. There
will be many hard knocks dealt, and
many wounded. Among the later VIII
be Senator Robert L. Owen Of Okla
homa, chairman of the Banking and
Currency Committee, who, when most
needed by the President. slipped quietly
of to Europe for a vacation. The feel
ing at the White House is extremely bit
ter against Senator Owen. and his
record as Administration leader In the
currency fight hardly suffices to save
him from open censure. 1t 10 felt that
had owen stuck to his job, Senator
Hitchcock, who became acting chairman
of the committee, would never have sue
ceeded in precipitating the embarrassing
row. Hitchcock has long been regarded.
despite his Democracy, as an inveterate
foe Of the Administration.
Warburg To Stand Pat.
A telegram from Mk. warburg, stating
his willingness to stand pat as a candi-
date, but reiterating his refusal 10 ap-
pear before the committee, was re-
ceiyed by the President early this
morning. Shortly afterward Shafroth
and Thomas called with their reports.
And, while the White House was au-
thoridng the statement that the fight
would be carried to the end, the Senate
Banking and Currency Committee WIS
assembling down at the Capitol for its
final deliberations on the names of
Warburg and Jones.
The erect of the Presidents public
statement yesterday in defense OF Jones
and Warburg and the type Of Big
Business leaders which they represent,
has been widespread. All this morning
grams from business men all over the
country expressing admiration Of the
stand taken by the President. When
the fight comes in the Senate this state
ment OF the President will undoubtedly
play a prominent part, and the Inns OF
as the dividing line between the con-
servative wing of the party and the
ultra-radicals represented by Hitchcock
and Reed.
Unless Warburg changes his decision
not to appear before the Senate Bank
ing and Currency COMMITTEES, all the
indications are that he will fall Of con-
frmation despite the determination OF
President Wilson to insist on his con-
flrmation.
The defiance Of warburg to the COM
mittee was met this morning by the
in no uncertain terms. The
committee met this morning at 10
o'clock. It got word that Warburg had
informed the President that he was
willing tn continue as nominee for
tho reserve board. but that he would not
testify before the committee.
Where Committee Stands.
This was looked On by Senators as
changing the issue in the case. The
committee is put in the position where
IL must either stand pat in its demand
for warburg's appearance or must pre-
sent the appearance of having been de-
hed and beaten.
After a conference over the matter,
the committee developed q consensus Of
opinion. that Warburgs name should
simply rsmain in the pigeonholes of
the committee room unless he complied
with the request made of him.
Senator Hitchcock, acting chairman.
said the committee was q unit that
"arburs must appear. He said:
The committee is united in its de-
termination not to consider the War
complies with our wishes. Indeed, l am
OF the opinion such confirmation could
not possibly be obtained in the first
legal"
He added that the committee would
take no further action on Warburg
until officially notified by the President
OF the latest telegram of Mr.. Warburg,
and then. that it, would probably notify
the President of It's attitude for the
purpose of keeping the record straight.
Await Official Advice.
Senator Hitchcock added that the
committee would make no new. move
with respect TO Wsrburg until 1t was
officially advised by the President of
the attitude of the nominee as expressed
in his latest telegram to the White
House. Then, .he committee would
send a letter to the White House ad-
yising the President OF it's attitude for
the purpose of keeping the record
straight.
II was felt among membssS of the
committee that the course OF Wartufg
in refusing TO appear left just one
course open TO the committee, and that
was not to recede.
The President. IL is said. believes he
can get Warburg confirmed regardless
OF the committee. But members OF the
committee do not think so. They be-
lisve the Senate will back them up al
most to a man. ..5..
sThe nomination of Mr.. Warburg will