New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-09
Committee NemberssFirm.

Committee Members~Firm.
II Mr.. Warburg reconsiders his de-
cision to decline the appointment and
agrees TO allow his nomination 10
stand, no action will be taken by the
Senate committee. unless there is
change of attitude by its members in
the way Of approving the appointment.
Despite the Presidents prediction
that nothing would be done by the
Democratic majority of the Senate to
throw suspicion on such men as Mr..
Jones and Mr.. Warburg. there were
Democratic members of the Banking
and Currency Committee to-day who
took the view that the committee was
entirely right in asking both to give
information concerning their 'quaifca
tons for appointment. The members
believe that they were not only entire
~ justified in the case of Mr.. Jones.
but, as a result of the information that
has been obtained. it is not improbable
that an adverse report will be made on
his nomination.
Even those members of the commit
tee who approve the selection of Mr..
Warburg are disposed 10 take the view
that it is not only the prerogative, but
the duty, of the committee 10 secure
all necessary information regarding
appointments for public Office. In the
case OF the three nominations for the
Federal Reserve Board already favor
ably reported the information was OBJ
tanned
eff the report is made that the
Treasury Department has withdrawn
100000 from national bank and de
posted it with banking firm of which
the nominee is a member, the comittee
is entitled TO know whether the report
is true and what the reasons for this
action were" said one member of the
Banking and Currency Committee to-
day. EFF il is reported that corpora
tiop of which another nominee is
director is violating the law, the com
mittee has a right 10 ask to what eX-
tent the nominee approves the alleged
Violations
There is little doubt that the Senate
will stand by the Banking and Cur
rency Committee. on the ground that
it has the prerogative of scrutinizlng
all appointments it is called on to con
firm. This attitude is not based on any
suspicion thst Mr.. Warburg is not well
qualified to fill the post for which ne
has been selected by the President. II
the New York banker had appeared
before the committee in response TO its
invitation, it is probable that his noml-
nation would have been reported IA
vorably and that it would have been
confirmed by the Senate.
The impasse between the Senate and
the President will be discussed at the
meeting of the Banking and Currency
Committee tomorrow, when action
probably will be taken on the Jones
nomination.
Senator Hitchcock Explains.
Senator Hitchcock made the follow
ing statement to-day:
81 regret Mr.. Warburg's refusal 10
appear before the Committee on BANK
ing and Currency in response to It's IN
vitation. The committee was unani-
mously of the opinion that 1t was de-
sirable TO meet with Mr.. Warburg for
the purpose of getting further informa-
ton about him. Under the Constitu-
ton and law tie Senate shares with
the President the responsibility OF this
appointment, and after the President
has satisfied himself the Senate IS en-
titled to be fully informed and the
committee is the proper means OF Sc
curing the information.
Some criticism has been made be-
cause the committee did not invite
others nominated for membership IN
the board by the President 10 come be-
fore it. This, however. is not true.
Before reporting 70 confirm Mr.:
John Skclton Williams as Controller OF
the Currency and ex-officio member OF
the board il invited him TO meet with
the committee. He did so, and an
swered all questions fully and frankly.
at invited Mr.. Jones, Of Chicago. He
responded promptly and answered all
questions fully and frankly. 1t Sc
cured written statement from Mr..
Harding, Of Alabama. which was
deemed ample and satisfactory. II had
equally complete information concern
ing Mr.. Miller. assistant to the Secre-
tary OF the Interior, and Mr.. HamlIn'
Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury.
Both of these men have been in public
life and were known TO members OF the
committee: yet they were invited TO,
and did, supply the committee with all
information desired, some OF IT being
called for over the telephone whlle the
committee was in session.
"Mr. Warburg. therefore. has not
been Disseminated against in any way
in being asked to meet with the com
mittee and give it information. The
committee desired TO act intelligently
and felt that its duties were not merely
perfunctory."
If President Wilson can bring sufii-
cient influence to bear on the Senate
Banking and Currency Committee that
its invitation to Paul NJ. Warburg TO
appear before it will be withdrawn
there is still hope the banker may
serve as member Of the Federal Re-
serve Board. Friends of Mr.. Warburg
said Yesterday that he would not re-
cedc from the attitude he had taken as
to undergoing a grlling by the Senate
committee and that the matter rested
entirely in the hands OF that body
Continued expressions Of regret were
made from bankers over the proba-
bility Of losing the services Of Mr..
Warburg on the Reserve Board.
81 can't believe that the Senate
committee appreciated the seriousness
Of it's action" said Henry p. Dawson,
Of J. p. Morgan a. Co. "If it had
think it would have acted differently.
am not criticising the committee.
for ] feel that il acted in good faith
in the matter"
Mr.. Dawson was asked il he could
,ho