The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25
WILSON IS BOTHERED
BY RIGGS BANK CASE
En- Denies He Will Take Mat
ter Out Of Comptroller
Williams's Hands.
CRITICISM rs GROWING.

N,stitvGroN. April 24--Interest in
,1e Ri gs National Bank case centred
today IN reports that the Adminstra-
lion 's Weakening in its support of
COMPTROLLER Of the Currency Williams
,thoueh trerc was no official basis for
fhe statement that serious differences o.
opinion have arisen among President
wilson's advisers in regard to the pro-
prie,y and legality of the course fof-
lowed by the Comptroller speculation
A. to the effect of such reported defec-
ton was the chief topic 81 official dis.
cussiun to-day.
Tn. interest was intensified by the
definite knowledge that earlier in the
,4se some of the Presidents most
trusted counsellors had been displeased
A, what they regarded as Comptroller
Wlnams's lack of cle>erness in present.
Ing his case to the public An element
IN the dissatisfaction referred to was the
belief that the Comptroller had been
careless of the political aspects of the
case in the policy he had pursued.
Administration officials attach so
much Importance to the reports circu-
lated that official cognizance of them
WAS taken at the White House This
Tumulty
There is not a shred of truth in
stories in the morning papers that the
President has personally taken over the
investigation of the Riggs bank
Fatls 10 silence Reports.
The story at which Mr.. Tumulty's
statement was aimed had stated that
the President. as the result of disap-
prevail of Comptroller Williams's course,
mad called for all the papers In the cas-.
with a view TO forming a new policy
II his own.
The statement Of Mr.. Tumulty had
no arprecia BILE effect In the direction of
sjlencing other reports of dissension in
regard to the case
II is safe TO say now. though, that
the Department of Justice under instruc-
ions from President Wilson will fur
nish the Comptroller its entire support
IN his defence of the injunction suit
which has been initiated by the Riggs
bank. There are evidences, however.
that IN" Administration is more in
clin,d than heretofore 10 have the case
regarded as an issue between the Comp
trollers office and the bank In ques
ton rather than a fight between TINS
bank and the Administration.
While the Department of Justice will
place all the legal machinery in it's
possession in operation. II will do this
with view Of securing to the Comp
trollers office the power of exercising
all Of the prerogatives vested In II by
law II IS for the courts. IL was y id,
fu decide whether or not the Comptroller
mas in the Riggs case exceeded the
authority vested in his office, and should
It be decided that this is true the De-
nsrtment Of Justice will assume The att-
;ude that the responsibility therefor IS
a personal one with Comptroller WILL
Jams
Brs udets tO Quit, Is Report.
One of tho reports circulated p9"-
sistently to-day was that Louis H. Brau-
de :, who has been specially retained 10y
he department Of Justice as counsel
this case. Is about to tender his res
Iguatiou Mr. Brandeis refused to COM
n-ut on the report or any phase OF the
case. hut other officials said they knew
# no foundation foc It.
Y was cpresented that Mr.. Brande>
iocisIon to withdraw had resulted from
h. convection on his part that the TOW
erumeu's case would be weak one.
II was understood to-day that letters
have been received by members of the
ADMINISTRATION from members of Con
sreS, and other politicians in various
parts Of the country expressing dismay
AZ the effect the case has had upon
public opinion as regards the Admits
ration Some Of these correspondents
are said to have urged that an effort be
made TO settle the case out of the courts
% order TO head off any further un'a-
,orsble publicity.
nfnc.al, OF the Riggs bank let IT be
anoVu to-day that they have been much
encouraged by the letters approving
heir course whi"h have come from NJ
'onal banks IN many States, An Of
Seal Of tho American Bankers Associa-
ION has written a letter to one of the
p gcs bank officials, il became known,
lying that strong expressions of ap-
nroyil Il the banks course had come
70 HIM. Some members of the association,
= IS said attach so much importance
20 The issues IN the case that they have
expressed The belief that the welfare ~
The Federal reserve system may lie AZ
footed