Evening star., 1932-12-20
SENATE LEADERS
PRAISE MESSAGE
Westerners Hail Hoover's
Plea for Use of Silver.
Arms Plan Lauded.

The 1ong-awaited special message of
President Hoover on the problems Of
war debts, disarmament and world eco
nomic affairs has drawn expressions q
approval from representatives in Con-
gress Of both major parties. Where dis
approval was expressed 1t was due chief
ly to plans for drawing President-elect
Roosevelt into the negotiations and to
the fact the President plans to create
commission which would not convene
until after he leaves Office.
The plea of President Hoover for a
larger use Of silver currency was re-
ceived warmly, especially by Senators
from the West. There was general
agreement that the questions of arma-
ments and World War debts must be
considered together
Some of the comment follows:
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah:
TT is a plea for the use Of silver and
very convincing argument against the
gold standard"
Senator Pittman, Democrat, of Ne
vada: 1T Is an able and clear message.
am pleased that the President en-
phastzed the disastrous effect upon our
foreign commerce Of the depreciation
of the currencies of other governments.
I am glad that he recognizes
the necessity for greater use OF silver
as metallic base for currency issues. "
Extensive disarmament was demand
ed by Senator Watson of Indiana, the
Republican leader. in return for any
debt reduction. He added:
Il agree with the President that there
is no time to lose in combating the
destructive forces now at work through
out the entire world which threaten it
with complete disintegration. World
War debts and armaments are too
closely related D be severed in any
discussion of this situation. If the
world is to be saved, armamentS must
be cut to little more than toy size
Senator McKellar, Democrat, Of Ten
nessee: 1T is we'll designed plan to
get debts mixed up with the Economic
Conference in the hope Of cancella-
ton, new or old, should get mixed
up in it."
Representative Rainey Of Illinois,
Democratic floor leader:
1T was an academic discussion, with
which no one can find fault, except
Wnen he says q commission Should be
appointed for conference, which will
not convene until after he leaves Office.
1t would be unthinkable to let him ap-
point delegates to a conference on
world conditions for which his policies
are responsible"
Chairman McReynolds of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Why doesn't he 60 ahead and act as
he says he will, but use the regular
diplomatic channels? He already has
the power and the money to negotiate
and talk through the State Department.
and that seems to be all he IS asking
Congress to do"
Chairman Borah of the Senate For
eign Relations Committee approved the
suggested debt review and proposed
world conference on ornaments and
money as we'll as war debts.
One conflicting note was sounded by
Senator Glass of Virginia, one of Mr..
Roosevelt's intimate advisors and pos
sible selection as Secretary of the
Treasury. who said he was far from
sure the President t-elect should be
drawn into the controversy"
Senator Harrison Of Mississippi, rank
ing Democrat on the Finance Commit
tee. declared the message was in very
good temper and is one of the best
state papers Mr. Hoover has sent down
here" He added. however. he did not
believe Congress wQld name a debt
commission.
Senator Reed tRepublican, Pennsyl-
vania) characterized the communica-
ton as IAN admirable presentation Of
the difficulties that confront US" add
ing he was glad that the President
proposes to present a united front by
taking action after consultation with
Gov. Roosevelt"
Senator Robinson Of Arkansas. the
Democratic leader, said he concurred as
to the economic outline presented by
Mr. Hoover, but added that with re-
spect to an economic conference do
not see how it can succeed unless
France and other nations admittedly