Evening star., 1915-04-14
WESTERN SENATOR IS SAID
TO HAVE WRITTEN A BILL
Outside Bankers, It Is Stated, Are
Giving Sympathy in Treas
ury Fight.
MIR. BRANDEIs GETS AN OFFICE
Special Assistant to Attorney Gen
eral Begins Work on Reply to
Financiers' Attack on q. S.
Officials.

The proportions. as so far disclosed, OF
the controversy between officials or the
Riggs National Bank and officials OF the
Treasury Department were overshadowed
today by information that a determined
attempt is to be made at the opening OF
Congress in December to abolish the posi-
tion of controller of the currency, the in
rurnbent of which, John Shelton Williams,
has been attacked in the courts in an
effort, the bank charges. to restrain him
from exceeding his powers. Preparations
for this attempt are now being made.
OF Importance also in today's news
of the controversy was a statement
made by Mr.. Williams at the Treasury
Department that officials of the Riggs
Bank may be proceeded against in
criminal action for what he claims are
acts by the banks officials which he
claims they had no right to perform.
A western senator, according to in
formation obtained today by reporter
TOR The Star. intends to push OIL!
through Congress for the purpose OF
doing away with the position of con-
troller of the currency. which position,
ne holds. is unnecessary since the pas
sage of the federal reserve act.
This intention the senator has con-
flded to other senators and to wash
ington financiers. and it was formed
before the filing of the suit against
lne government OllCldlS Dy tHo udih-
Backed by Other Bankers.
The determination of the Riggs Bank
to fight the controller of the currency
is understood today to be with the
full support and sympathy of many
of the largest banking institutions in
the country, many of which before and
since the filing of the suit expressed
to the Riggs officials their anxiety to
, have settled in the courts just what
the powers Of the controller OF the
currency are.
II is said today that the Pittsburgh
banks are up in arms, as well as many
pther banks in the east, because OF de-
hands that have been made upon them
BY the office of controller Of the cur
lency many of which. II Is said, far
exceed in trouble and expense involved
Ihe demands heretofore made by other
controllers of the currency. Many SEN
ltors and representatives in Washing
ION are familiar with complaints OF
,anks. it is said. along such lines
Every one connected with the contro-
gersy was certain today that titanic
6gbt is coming between the Riggs Ma
tional Bank and the Treasury Depart
nent, and there were many evidences
that the bank will haye at least the 81
ent support of many other banking m
stitutions of the country, notwithstand-
ng reports that the business ally of
the Riggs. the great National CITY
Bank of New York. and other banks
are cool" toward the undertaking or
he Washington institution to hight the
controllers office. The latter reports
were taken by many with grain OF
salt"
The interest Of the general public
was pronounced today as to all details
of the controversy. Hope, however.
that the hearing the suit set for
Friday will settle anything was dis
pelled today. when il became known
that whichever side loses the advan-
tage in Fridays hearing is certain to
carry the case farther.
Possible Criminal Action.
No information was available as to
what Controller Williams based his
statement of a possible criminal action
On.
n. made il following a conference he
held today with Louis Brandeis. special
counsel for the Department of Justice
In the case: Jesse c. Adkins. also re-
tained as special counsel in the case,
and Assistant Attorney General War
rem Procedure to be followed was un-
aer discussion. There is nothing to in
dicate SO far what course viii be pur-
sued by the government officials.
The answer of the government ofn-
ctals must be filed by Friday, but IT
may be only a preliminary answer ana
an extension of time could be asked
Whether a cross bill OF complaint will
he filed, or whether separate procedure
will be- instituted, is now under considera-
lion The controller was in communica-
lion this morning with Secretary McAdoo
hy Telephone the latter being still con-
hned to his home by illness. Acting Sec
retary Newton was also in communica-
uorf with the Department OF Justice.
While information as to the course OF
The government was not available, there
was not the same reticence as TO that OF
the bank. 1t was said today that there
lx,, ban IL tffix xtDtC tn
what becomes Of the $1,000 interest on
United States bonds due the bank which
the controller has ordered withheld as a
penalty for the banks refusal to furnish
certain informat ton. On the other hand,
there is great anxiety by officials OF the
Dank 10 have settled the legal status Of
the controller of the currency
Fight on Controller.
This big question involves the ques-
tion Of whether or not the controller
of the currency has judicial powers
Ii is said that that question has never
been settled by the courts, and that
IL is to come up in this cause for the
drst time.
The Riggs Bank will contend that II
section 52ll and section 5213 of the ma
tionsi banking act do confer on the
controller of the currency the rights
he contends he has then such sections
are contrary to the fourth and fifth
amendments to the Constitution of the
United States. which guarantee citizens
against interference. searches, seizure
of papers, forcing them to become wit
nesses against themselves and against
depriving them of property rights
without due process of law.
The bank will contend that the sec
tions of the act referred to confer no
such powers as the controller says he
has.
In banking circles today it was said
that no controller of the currency UT
to the present time has ever advocated
that he be given as much power as the