Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-18
PRESIDENT TAKES HAND
IN TREASURY DEFENSE
and Officials Concerned in Riggs
Bank Case.
BACKS PLAN OF PROCEDURE
Department OF Justice VIII Throw
Resources Into Proceedings, and
Administration VIII Accept Full
Responsibility for Acts.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

WASHINGTON, April 17.-President
Wilson has placed himself squarely
behind the governments defense In
tho injunction proceedings brought by
tho Riggs National Bank against Sec
retary McAdoo, Comptroller Williams
and Treasurer John Burke. This active
interest on the part of the executive
came to light to-day in connection with
two conferences held In the Presidents
library between him. Attorney General
Gregory. Special Counsel Louis Bran
deis and other officials concerned.
The first OF these conferences was
held last night. 1t took place unher-
aided. and the fact that the bank case
was under advisemcnt was not known
until this morning. The second was
held early this afternoon, when Mr..
Gregory and Mr.. Brandeis called at the
executive mansion to further acouaint
the President with the course OF events.
DECISION OF PRESIDENT
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE,
President Wilson's decision to have
n hand in the case means several things.
In the first place. 1t means that the
Department OF Justice which had been
suspected in some quarters of lack of
sympathy with the Treasury officials.
Will throw It's resources into tho do
fense.
means, moreover, that the execu-
tive proposes to take no position that
would seem to sidestep administration
responsibility for tho acts Of tbe
Treasury officials. The result OF tho
court proceeding is not feared by tho
administration politically, and no er-
fort VIII be made to get from under"
mo secretary and the comptroller in
tho hight against the bankers.
AS first result OF the President,a
attitude came the announcement that
soiicltor-General John w Davis would
take part In the preparation of the
governments defense and In tho court
handling OF the case. Ordinarily. the
Sohcitor-General does not become inter.
ested In piece OF litigation until #
mas reached the Supreme Court Itself
An exception Will be made in this in
stance.
MANY CHANGES IN FORMS
EXPLAINED BY WILLIAMS
In connection with the controversv
between the RIGGS National Banl; md
the once or the Comptroller of the Cur
rency, IL is said that the MANY chanrce
which have been made in the form os
statement or national banks since the
ihcumbency Of John Shelton Williams
as comptroller have largely been duo N
me requirements and desires OF the
Federal reserve board and In n further
degree to the exactions OF the new cur.
rency law.
These changes. 1t is declared. have
been for the purpose OF EXTRACTING
more detailed and particular informn
uon of the business dealings OF the
banks.
The changes In the form of the ma
tional bank statement" Comptroller
"iiiams declared this morning, were
made with purpose to safeguard the
banks"
Comptroller williams has declared
that he has not had In mind any pur-
pose other than to obtain from every
national bank all the legitimate In
formation available OF an uneouiyocal
sort. He eXemplined his statements by
reference to the orders concerning d.
rectors' shares
Instances have come to his knowl
edge he stated. where hundreds OF
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