Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-29
CHARGESATTEMPI.
|. TO DISRUPT BANKS
Mr.. Williams Says Propa-
ganda Worked to Stifle
Their lust Regulation.
HIS TESTIMONY IS ENDED

John Shelton Williams, controller OF
the currency. today completed his tes-
timony before the Senate banking and
currency committee in reply to charges
which have been made against his ad-
ninistration. The committee is con-
sidering the nomination Of Mr.. Will
liams to succeed himself as controller
of the currency.
Before Mr.. Williams closed his tes-
timony he asked Chairman Mclean OF
the Senate committee whether Repre-
sentative McFadden of Pennsylvania,
who has made serious charges against
him, was going to appear before the
committee. s-
IT want to know II he is going to
appear to testify in regard to these
charges" said Mr.. williams
Senator Mclean replied that Mr..
McFadden had been notified OF the
committee meetings. but that he had
not appeared or replied. Senator NC
Lean said that the charges had been
made by Mr.. McFadden in the news
papers, and that Mr.. williams had re-
piled to them through the same me-
dunn. -,
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts as
sured Mr.. Williams that the commit
against Mr.. Williams made elsewhere
than in the committee room.
Chairman Mclean also assured Mr..
Williams that II any further charges
were made against him he would be
given ample opportunity to make a
Frank J. Hogan. counsel for the
Riggs National Bank during it's con-
troversy with Controller Williams,
and William Nelson Cromwell. New
York attorney, who is said to have
been present at conference between
q
williams and Mr.. McAdoo. and Mr..
Hogan, are the only witnesses ex-
pected to be heard before the hear
ings on the Williams nomination are
journed today to meet at the call of
the chairman, possibly tomorrow. e.
Charged Propaganda.
During the hearing of Mr.. williams
secret propaganda is at work in the
country to stifie just regulations Of
banks, He said that his record as
controller Of the currency was open
to all and insisted that no complaints
had been made against his adminis-
tration by responsible persons that
could bear close scrutiny. .s.s
Taking up the discussion Of the
Riggs Bank case, Mr.. williams re-
newed his charges that excessive
loans had been made to bank officers
and employees over a long period Of
troyersy between himself and the bank
began in 1914. He also insisted that
the bank had been continually short
in its reserve, and that 1t had made
unlawful investments in stocks and
loans secured by real estate mort
CAGES He said that former controll-
ers had notified the bank Of these vfo-
la ~ he To H,,1t 1Sot - 0 h0y r
had persisted in them. II -
Reiterated Former Statement.
He reiterated his. statement previ-
ously made during the hsarine that
'troller's ONCE since 1874 had greatly
benefited the bank and contributed
to the large increase in its deposits
and resources which has developed in
the last fye years,
In continuing his attack on Mr.. Ho-
gan's Testimony. MI. Williams said:
II hope that the COMMITTEES will
make Mr.. Hogan remain within the
limits of facts and not proceed on the
assumption that he is a competitor
in q contest where he 80 far has
clearly shown himself to be entitled
to- first prize, with Ananias coming
later on for honorable mention. -
Mr.. Williams asked the committee
to consider, the conduct of his ONCE
during the past Eve years. and as
serted that no complaints had been
received from any responsible parties.
Interrupting the controller, Senator
Penrose. republican, Pennsylvania,
said opposition to Mr.. Williams
was so unanimous among Pennsyl-
vania bankers that it was VERY i'm
pressive" He added that this oppo-
sition came from men who did not
want their names made public be-
cause Of a fear the controller might
make things very uncomfortable for
them" $3.50