The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-04-20

value of 100000 in payment of interest or principal on war debts.
 From cources unusually close to the White House there were in- dications that Mir. Roosevelt was chiefly interested in tho provision which would authorize revaluation of the gold dollar. But the entire program Is represented as having attracted him for the bargaining power and authority it will give him in his conversations with for cign statesmen shortly due here.
 The Thomas bill was revised yesterday in conferences In which participated Assistant Secretary of State Moley, one of the president $ closest advisors: Thomas, Senator Pitman, dem., New, and Senator Byrnes, dem, s. C. Father Cough lin. Michigan priest who has been addressing huge audiences with a plea for inflation, happened to be in the capitol and sat for a time with the conferees.
 Last night the senators, Moley, and Secretary of Treasury Woodin went over the bill with Mir Roose- welt and he gave 1t his approval.
 Thomas said there had been written into the greenback section q provision that if such currency were used to purchase government bonds, the latter must be destroyed and congress must continue to ap- propriate the money which would have been paid as interest on the retired bonds. This money would accumulate in sinking fund to re- tire the greenbacks.
 ''In my judgment" Thomas said, 'it would be fatal to put more than 2,000,000,000 or $3,- 900, 100000 of United States notes into circulation and no one Is go- ing to do it.'
 The provision for accepting war debt payments in silver was spon- sored by Pittman.
 The silver plan stipulates that the silver shall not be accepted at price greater than 50 cents an ounce. It recently has been hover ing in the neighborhood of 25 cents, but jumped three cents yes- terday.
 No liklihood of serious challenge to the imitation plan is foreseen by its sponsors except to the Pittman silver section. There is we'll orga nized free silver coinage bloc in house and senate.
 Insiders on Capitol Hill are aware that Vice President Garner in Tuesdays cabinet meeting gave bold warning that the administra- tion must immediately take the in flation lead to avoid having to fol; low congressional leadership or impose veto on a congressional imitation plan. The veteran Tex ans words made great impress sion at the White House.
 Thomas and Byrnes were sum moned to q conference that eve ming and within A hours the em- bargo which took the United States off the gold standard was announced.
 Washington. Apr. 20-UP) - Full support of the democratic congressional leadership for any monetary program which President Roosevelt might decide upon was pledged today by House Majority Leader Byrnes.
 The house Is back of Presi- dent Roosevelt 100 per cent" Byrnes said. They feel that the nation must have a leader and that the president is that leader. Some- one must have authority to deal with the present situation"
 34 Countries Are OR
 New York, April 20-UP) -- Abandonment of the gold standard by the United States swells to 34 the number of countries which have officially suspended gold back ing for their currency, q United Press compilation revealed today.
 In addition II other nations are not officially off the gold standard, but for all practical purposes may be ranked with the first group. bringing to total which have fore saken the gold banner to 48.
 Only 13 countries still remain on the gold exchange standard, with France. Belgium and the Nether- lands the leaders. Italy is also in- cluded in this category, although certain restrictions are applied to the export of capital.
 Some Gold Notes
 Washington. April 20-(UP) - President Roosevelt, still suffering from a cold. remained away from the executive office today for the second successive day.
 While 1t was reported that the sore throat which he had yesterday had disappeared, he was still troubled by a head cold.
 The president worked at his desk in the large oval room on the sec ond floor of the White House which he has fitted up as q library. There he conferred with administration leaders on the money situation.
 Washington. April 20-OUP) - Enactment of the Roosevelt $2,- 600. 100000 home mortgage bili would bring relief to 5000. 900 small home owners, Horace Rus sell. general counsel of the Home Loan Bank board said today at a senate banking subcommittee hearing.
 Benefits under the bill are lirn- tied to a maximum value of $lO.- 900. Russell. who cooperated in drafting the measure. said a limit of s15.OO0 would include an ad- ditlonal 100000 dwellings.
 Washington. April 20-tUP) - The senate today voted $100.000,- 900 to begin operation of the presidents sweeping program to raise commodity prices.
 The treasury would be reim-