Springfield weekly Republican. [volume], January 08, 1914, Page 4, Image 4

About Springfield weekly Republican. [volume] (Springfield, Mass.) 1851-1946

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4
EYES ON COMING SESSION
SHOULD DISPOSE OF MUCH
BIG BANKS AND NEW BILL
Politicians Are Already Speculating
Upon Makeup of the Senate
Next Year.
From Our Special Correspondent.
Washington. D. C., Sunday. Jan. 4.
A few more days and Washington re
sumes her wonted place on the govern
mental map. President Wilson will be
traveling northward. The newspaper cor
respondents will be writing about how he
looks after his outing. Perhaps there
will be a little tan from the southern
sun upon his countenance. We shall bear
all about his grip being out of the presi
dential system and about his feeling fit as
a fiddle for strenuous official days And
the tide of congressional travel will also
be setting toward Washington again after
a few days. Senators and lepresentntives
from many quarters of the compass will
be hastening Washingtonward for tne big
work of Congress. Full of enthusiasm to
take hold smartly, men will talk much
about doing things quickly and getting
through. "Adjourn in June" is already
the slogan. There are stragglers around
the eapitol. who exchange the time of day
and observe: "We should get to work
speedily now and finish up.” That is all
very fine, but it actually means nothing.
The propensity of Congress to think con
stantly about getting away is proverbial.
One good thing is done, however, and
that is the vacation. After grumbling
for months because they had to stay here
so long and so constantly, Congress has
had its vacation and enjoyed it. The
mental handicap of overwork and lack of
vacation no longer exists.
The need of a congressional vacation is
and has been really less than the need of
some sojourn among constituents. And
the sojourn among constituents has not
been altogether necessary for fixing up of
fences. It helps and expedites in the
tong run for the congressman to get back
among the people and ascertain how they
are thinking. The cautious man in Senate
or House often is unwilling to supi>ort a
measure which he personally may think
meritorious. He is courting no extra
trouble and prefers to know what the atti
tude of his constituents may be regard
ing it.
But now all the preliminaries are com
plied with. Congress figuratively has "its
feet down." There are no good reasons
why the meeting should not be called to
order and business disposed of. Every
body is supposed to be in fairly good
humor. Everybody now knows about
"where he is at." The wheels of admin
istration and legislation should be whirling.
It may not he so much to do a great lot.
Indeed, it may appear desirable to expend
energy in preventing too much being done.
But be all that as it may. matters are
now down to a normal basis. The ex
traordinary things have been disimsed of.
The tasks ahead are in some part rou
tine, but all in all of a character to be dis
posed of steadily and without particular
stress and strain.
Washington interest over national bank
applications, which for a few days existed
at fever heat, has waned. That was
the first big feature of moment in the new
financial system. It was very necessary
to the success of the new law that national
banks come in, at least that the big
national hanks, with large capital and
large surplus, take their positions in sup
port of the new law. It may not be
generally known that the attitude of the
small country banks.’numbering thousands,
has not been and is not now of great im
portance. It is now very certain they will
come in. but the effect upon, the operation
of the regional reserves would not have
been very great either way.
It is said with a show of authority that
all the great banks of New York city
will apply. Thus far very few of them
have actually applied. But New York
bankers are not of the type that rushes
to the telegraph office and pen a few words
to the secretary of the treasury at Wash
ington. Those bankers have kept in very
close touch with the framing of the new
law. They know that al! the early applica
tions by letter and wire are informal and
must be followed by applications, properly
signed and certified to. The official blanks
have been out only a few days. The
New York banks have nearly all com
municated by conversation or otherwise
with influential treasury folks and their
attitude is understood.
The situation is the same with regard
to Boston. Chicago and numerous other
cities. The big banks are coming. And
with about a third of the bank capitaliza
tion of the country already committed to
the new system, there is no doubt what the
other two-thirds of the capitalization will
do. In fact, as far as the compliance of
national banks is concerned, the new law
L already a ‘‘howling success."
Location of Hegionai Reserves.
Consequently interest passes to other
features, not yet determined. The biggest
thing, just now perhaps, is the location
of regional reserves. Secretaries McAdoo
and Houston are now on wing for the con
duct of those hearings. It will help in
the adjustment of things when it is deter
mined where the regional banks are to be.
To the country at large it may not be
of so much moment just where the region
al banks will be located, even though it
be a most important matter to the local
pride of aspiring cities. But after all is
said, the most vital action in the immediate
future rests with President Wilson in
nominating five members of the federal
reserve board. That is bound to figure
prominently soon. Within the next two or
three weeks, perhaps before, the president
is expected to announce the names.
Tactics political for overturning the con
trol of the United States Senate are under
discussion in opposition camps. The cam
paign of 1914 is already mmn in the
thoughts of politicians. The United States
Senate is one of the big prizes to be fought
. for within a few months. For be it re
membered that one-third of the Senate of
98 members is to be elected by popular
rote and the democratic margin is now
five, but would be eight if Alabama would
quit fooling and fill the vacancy existing
there for months, and if Senator-elect Blair
Lee ot Maryland gets his seat in place of
the republican senator from there who was
appointed by republican Gov Goldsbor
ough.
The general Senate contest will come
down to a republican question of capturing
five Senate seats next November Can they
do it? The republicans have their pencils
to paper and are saying ‘Yes we can"
From al! appearances the democrats are
well intrenched. It is very early yet' M
reach conclusions. There are 32 places,
which means a senatorial campaign in 32
states, to be voted for. Democrats stand
to lose two or three seats, as, possibly in
the case of George E. Chamberlain' of
Oregon and Francis G. Newlands of Ne
vada. They might lose Indiana, where
Benjamin F. Shively now servos for In
diana tins been hit by the hard times and
a recession of political sentiment is said
to be uhder way there.
It is interesting to note what states are
to elect successors to democratic senators,
because that is of importance in determin-
; ing what is likely to happen. They are
j only 15 of the 32. and, ns it happens, most
| of these are southern states, surely demo-
cratic. The 15 states are: Alabama. Ari
-1 zona.. Arkansas, Colorado. Indiana. Louis
iana, Georgia. Maryland. Missouri. Ne
, vada. North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon,
j Florida and South Carolina.
I As the record of elections for recent
. years runs. Colorado, Indiana. Nevada and
i Oregon are the only doubtful states in this
i list. Missouri and Maryland are barely
fighting ground on such an issue as United
States senator and the republican fight to
control the Senate during the last half of
the Wilson administration may center in
those states. If democrats should lose the
four doubtful states and no more, the vote
in the Senate would be a tie and Vice-
President Marshall would find himself with
a new occupation—the right to vote on
Senate questions.
On the other hand, republicans will have
something to do to hold all the votes they
have in 17 other states, now represented
by senators of their party. Kentucky, a
normally democratic state, will elect a suc
cessor to William 0. Bradley, republican.
The states electing successors to republic
an senators are: California. Connecticut,
Idaho. Illinois. lowa. Kansas. Kentucky,
' New Hampshire. New York. North Da
kota. Ohio, Pennsylvania. South Dakota.
Utah. Vermont. Washington and Wiscon
sin.
REPUBLICAN TUNE CHANGED
CALAMITY CRY DIES DOWN
Shift to Antitrust Talk—Local Custom®
Houne Figures—Redfield's Activity
in Behalf of Workers.
From Our Special Correspondent.
Washington, D. C.. Monday. Jaa. 5.
Ambitious plans of a few weeks ago for
a good republican campaign issue seem go
ing awry. The calamity cry, started in
full voice on the minority side of Senate
and House, shortly before Congress went
into recess, will probably be abandoned.
That idea, at least, is in the minds of re
publican leaders and opportunists, who be
gan to think they had a chance to get the
administration "on the. run." None of the
Washington politicians pretends that the
business clouds have lifted. But the situa
tion is so generally one of hopefulness;
business men so generally are disposed to
look on the bright side of things, it is re
garded as hazardous for political leaders
to emphasize the darker view. Indeed bus
iness conditions the country over have been
so thoroughly investigated and analyzed
within the last fortnight, that intelligent
detailed discussion of them is feasible. The
areas of depression have been charted and
shown to he by no means country-wide.
Then there has been much uplift testi
mony. since the preliminary success of the
new currency law was demonstrated by
tie rush of national banks to enter the
system. Business men of large mental
caliber have declined to allow partisan
ship to color their views of prospects. And
as far as political Washington is con
cerned, calamity speeches scheduled for
January days when Congress shall have
resumed, will be chucked back into pigeon
holes. If these are delivered at all. it will
be later on. provided conditions do not. im
prove. Instead, the heft of assault, prom
ises to be upon antitrust policies. . Accusa
tions of surrender and of lack of thorough
ness at the department of justice will be
heard. Attorney-General Mcßeynolds for
a while is likely to receive much attention
from the administration's critics.
The volume of customs business done at
Springfield is shown by. figures that are
now made -available at the treasury de
partment. During the last fiscal year 1639
entries of merchandise, yielding $599,-
861.32 in customs, were made at Spring
field. The expenses of collecting this mon
ey were $11,594.85.
Governmental activity in behalf of labor
ing people is emphasized in many ways at
Washington. Secretary of Commerce Red
field, it will be recalled, has given inter
views and delivered speeches since he
came into office on the improvement of
conditions. One of his latest was in be
half of the eight-hoar working day. The
bureau of labor and the department of
labor are very active in similar lines. Ex
perts are at work investigating, and every
little while bulletins are published for dis
tribution touching some phase of inquiry.
One of the latest of these bulletins is en
titled "Dangers to workers from dusts and
fumes and methods of protection." A cata
log of industries is given Under "Ani
mal and vegetable dusts,” for example,
mention is made of ‘horn and < elluloid in
dustry” with reference to the beginning
of the horn industry in 1774 in the kitchen
of the house of Obadiah Hills of Leomin
ster. "in which town,” according to this
bulletin, "there are .rot fewer than 30
establishments which give employment to
more than 2000 persons in -lie manufac
ture of combs and haifpins of horn and
celluloid.” Excellent j holographs of
"rounding and pointing hairpins with no
dust-removal system” are presented with
the bulletin, hut rhe expert explains that
"owing to the absoroahle nature of born
dust, the danger to employes is much loss
than that of nonahsornable dusts.” There
is also another photograph ~f “pointing
teeth of culluloid combs” with an effective
dnst-reinoval system for the prevention of
fire and the protection of health." This
dust feature of manufaeturiug is followed
through the woolen industry and through
the boot and shoe industry, with consider
able comment and many photographs
about "animal, mineral md vegetable
dusts." Thore is reference to difficulties
workmen have in the manofarrure of
derby and felt hats, because tne fur there
for comes to the factory clipped from the
skins and treated with cyanide r f mer
cury. Lesions arc produced upon the
hands of some of the men who inndle the
wet felt. The government at Washington
is taking a constantly larger interest in
all such matters. Where federal authority
does not trespass upon state rights, these
investigations are followed with efforts
I at corrective legislation.
NEW-YEAR'S AT CAPITAL.
, No White House Reception—But the
Bryans Entertain.
New-year's day in Washington passed
over without a White House reception for.
the first time in more than a century— ■
for the first time since the day of Presi
dent Monroe. In the absence of Presi
dent M ilson, taking a holiday vacation in
the South, a breakfast to the diplomatic
corps by Secretary and Mrs Bryan was the
principal social function of the dav. More
i than 300 guests gathered with tne svere
: tary of state at his home. Practically all
। the embassadors, ministers and members
'of the embassy and legation staffs with
I the women of their families were present.
; There were a few exceptions, among them
। the Turkish embassador, who is in mourn
। ing. The French embassador. Jules Jus-
I serand, has become the dean of the corps
during the last year, since the departure
of the former embassador from Great
Britain. Jarnos Bryce. The Central and
South American countries were brilliantly
represented.
Secretaries Daniels and Garrison kept
open house all day and much of the splen
dor And brilliancy which usually attends
the visit'of army and navy officers to the
While House was transferred to their
homos. Oue of the Inn, st receptions of
the day was nt Speaker Clark's home,
where Miss Genevieve, the only daughter
of Speaker and Mrs Clark, made her for
ma! how to society.
The informality of the Bryan breakfast
was a feature. None of the members of
THE SPRINGFIELD WEEKLY REPUBLICAN; THURSDAY. JANUARY 8, 1914.
the diplomatic corps appeared in uniform.
The dining-room was made to resemble an
orangerie, and the drawing-room was sim
ilarly decorated. .From their winter home
at Miami the secretary and Mrs Bryan
had brought large quantities of poinsettia,
-milax and othei seruit/opical plants,
wmeh were used for decorations. There
was no formal reception as the diplomats
entered. The secretary and Mrs Bryan
stood near the door and simply wished all
"a happy new year.” When the moment
for entering the breakfast rwm arrived.
Embassador Jusscrand, as dean of the
corps, gave Mrs Bryan his arm and Sec
retary Bryan escorted Madame Jusscrand.
The breakfast was given in buffet style.
Pineapples and grape juice punches were
served and there were no wines. Although
the details of the affair and the break
fast list were arranged in accordance with
'■ustom by the department of state, the
only change from the usual program was
that it was serve! in the Bryan home
instead of the Hall of the Americas at
the Pan-American Union building, where
former Secretary Knox and Mrs Knox
inaugurated the New-year's breakfast to
the diplomatie corps. In addition to the
foreign attaches in Washington, the af
fair Thursday was attended by officials of
the Pan-American union, members of the
foreign relations committees of Congress
and the assistant secretaries of state.
PROBLEMS OF DIPLOMACY
For the Coming Session-—The Xfw-
Ymr’s Celebration.
From Our Special Correspondent.
Washington. D. C.. Friday. January 2.
If half one is hearing at Washington
just now becomes reality, problems of
diplomacy are to have special attention
before many weeks pass. Some of these
are specially for President Wilson;
others are specially for Congress.
For example, there is suspension of
free tolls on the Panama canal. The
treaty with Nicaragua by which the
United States acquires right of way over
her territory for a new canal route and
gains the Corn islands, of strategic im
portance to us in Panama, is another in
stance. Then there are Secretary Bry
an's arbitration treaties and so on. Pre
sumably the suspension of free <anal tolls
for two years will be authorized. It is
supposed the president is committed to
the enactment, having conferred at length
in Washington with the British foreign
othce. But there will be an outcry of op
position on both sides of the House. Chair
man Adamson of the interstate commerce
commission, who proposed the resolution
of suspension, posted it at the very last
moment before Congress adjourned for the
holidays. This was undoubtedly done for
a purpose. The time was opportune to
prevent a great outburst. Congressmen
were on the run for the railroad station.
The attention of the country was centered
upon the new currency law which the pres
ident was just signing. The newspapers
of the following day would be occupied
with the news and comment on that long
awaited measure.
Consequently very little attention has
yet been paid to the Adamson resolution
and when it is pressed for consideration
in the House the edge of congressional
resentment will have worn off. The demo
cratic congiessmen will have been given
to understand that this is an administra
tion measure and they had best fall in
line. The battling, however, will start
in the committee itself for several mem
bers there are stoutly opposed.
The big broad question of domination,
not only bn the isthmus, but in all that
region, is coining to the fore and is not
to be settled for good and all at one
session of Congress. Certain of the Central
Americans already see what the neces
sities of the United States will be in that
quarter of the-world? and are girding them
selves to drive the hardest possible bar
gain. Therefore it is that notable Central
Americans are coming to Washington in
increasing numbers. They are raising a
point wherever there is an opportunity,
talking about a federation of Central
American republics and all that. There
will be much more of this in coming days
and the fracas promises to be as lively as
it was back in those times when Uncle
Sam was trying to get right of way for
the canal he expects soon to be operat
ing.
Whether there be New-year's receptions
at the White House or not seems now to
matter .little to Washington in its observ
ance of the day. The usual gayety of
New-year's proceeded in the city at large.
Many did not even miss the three or four,
hours of formalities which have attended
the White House receptions. Those of
ficials who feel it incumbent upon them
selves to attend welcomed the change. It
was unnecessary to get up quite so eariy
on New-year’s morning. The wearers of
uniforms escaped the household troubles
of getting out the gold lace and the in
convenience of incasing themselves in
tight tunics. Much physical weariness,
not alone for those who g,> | O White House
receptions, but. alike for the president and
hia entourage, was avoided. As a matter
of fact, nearly every man. except those in
the long civilian line, who has been going
to a New-year's reception goes again soon.
It must be remembered that a seri -s of of
ficial reception-' at the White Bouse are
just ahead. There will be a diplomatic
reception, n reception to the iudiciarv and
a congressional .'eception. These afford
abundant opportunity for government of
ficials and the ladies of their families to
grori the president ana altogether under
more pleasant conditions than New-year’s
affords.
But Washington again this year empha
sized its independence socially of the
M bite House. The city has become so
large, as has been anid again and again,
that officialdom does not. set the pace as
it used to do. Circles of congenial people
determine their own social programs,
without much regard to the administra
tion. whether it be democratic or repub
lican. True, members of the cabinet con
tributed much to the New-vear's gayety
and kept open house about as usual. But
other good people did likewise according
to their individual inclinations. New
year's ns a city-wide observance in one
entity passed from Washington long ago.
The president's reception was the last
■ < stige of it. But the formalities are some
what relaxed and groups of people cele
brate the day according to their own ideas.
Government employes, however, get their
holiday, and it will be long before that is
discarded. Al! official doors are closed.
Indeed New-year’s, like Christmas, means
I'i; days’ of rest for the government work
ers. even for bricklayers under contract
ou federal jobs. The theory of the extra
half-day was never logically established,
except that a government, man needs a
half-day to get ready for a holiday ob
sorvame. Business is running verv'slack
nt that season of the year and the extra
half-day makes little difference anyhow.
SOCIAL CENTER IDEA GROWS.
Seventy-One Cities Have Paid Work
era, Anainst 44 the Year Prevlons.
The steady growth of the social center
idea in this country is revealed in a re
port just compiled by Clarence A. Perry
of the Russell Sago foundation at New
York. Seventy-one cities had during the
winter of 1912-13 paid workers, against
44 the previous season, and the amount
expended for maintenance of school cen
ters grew from $139,535 to $324,575 in
1913. There now sic more than 3006 paid
and volunteer workers in the movement.
The report cites figures to show the growth
in the number of school-houses now being
used for public entertainments and lec
tures. for solutions of local problems, ath
letics and dancing, registering voters, bal
loting during elections, and political rallies.
DIAGRAM SHOWING NATIONAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS.
g—— ——■ ~ ~ —- — — /✓ I j-— — — Lc--1 / V" '^'2- - — —— r — f
lYrrEr-j.-. j »
A I \ -<A | Good' |
This map Is prepared by the committee on statistics ind standards of the chamber of commerce of the United States and indicates
the conditions on November 2l>. 1913. ■
BIG MOVE BY J. P. MORGAN
LEAVES MANY CORPORATIONS
BOW TO SIGN OF TIMES
Action Believed to Be -Taken as Re-
sult of Feeling Against Interlock
ing Directorates — Wall
Street Amazed.
The witliilraw.il Friday of J. P. Mor
gan & Co from more than a score of great
corporations, and the statement soon aft
erward by George F. Baker, an almost
equally dominant figure in American
finance, that he soon would take similar
action, gave Wall street, New York, gen
erally a thrill which almost brought trad
ing on the stock exchange to a halt. While
it is probably true that many of the prom
inent bankers had information foreshad
owing this momentous move toward ending
interlocking directorates, the public aud
broker hud no advance knowledge of what
was taking place in the inner councils of
the greatest of all American houses of
finance. Wherever telephone and ticker
flashed the news about the street, groups
of men gathered to discuss the all-absorb
ing topic.
Mr Morgan, departing from his firm's
traditional policy bf silence, made a public
statement announcing the withdrawal of
five members of J. I*. Morgan & Co from
directorships in 27 corporations and the
intention to withdraw from more.
The Morgan Statement.
J. P. Morgan made this statement:—
"The necessity of attending many board
meetings has been so serious a burden
upon our time that we have long wished
to withdraw from the directorates of many
corporations. Most of these directorships
we hate accepted with reluctance, and
only because we felt constrained to keep
in touch with properties which we. have
reorganized, or whose securities we had
recommended to the public, both here and
abroad. An apparent change iu public ,
sentiment iu regard to directoi^hips seems
now to warrant us in seeking to resign
from some of these connections. Indeed
it may be, in view of the change in senti
mpnt upon the subject, that we shall be
in a better position to serve such proper
ties and tbeir security holders if we are
not directors. We have already resigned
from the companies mentioned, and we
expect from time to time to withdraw from
other boards upon which we feel there is
no special obligation to remain.”
The companies to which Mr Morgan re
ferred, from whose board members of the
firm have already submitted their resigna
tions as directors are: J. P. Morgan, New-
York Central and Hudson river railroad
company. West Shore railroad company,
laike Shore aud Michigan Southern
railway, Michigan Central railroad com
pany, New York. Chicago and St Louis
railway, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago
and St Ixiuis railroad. New England
navigation company, Central New England
railroad. New York, Westchester and Bos
ton railroad, Harlem River and Port Ches
ter railroad, Miibrook company, New Haven
navigation company. New’ England steam
ship company, Rhode Island company, Rut.
land railway company. Hartford and Con
necticut Western. New York. Ontario and
Western railroad, Western New England
telegraph company.
Other members of the firm have retired
from these companies :—
Charles Steele—Jersey Central railroad
company. United States steel corporation.
H. P. Davison—American telephone and
telegraph company, Astor trust company,
Guaranty trust company of New York,
Chemical national bank.
W. H. Porter—Bunkers’ trust company,
Guaranty trust company of Nor^ Yorii.
Thomas W. Lamont—Westinghouse elec
tric and manufacturing company, Utah
copper company, Astor trust company,
Bankers’ trust company.
By withdrawing from these corporations
J. P. Morgan & Co Ifave cut the strings
that have held together many of the
country's most important corporations in a
community of interests which has been
assailed within and out of Congress. The
house of Morgan feels that it has kept
within the law. in all of its complex opera
tions. and that no legal necessity or threat
ened complications with the authorities at
Washington has made it necessary to
adopt a sweeping change in policy an
nounced yesterday. One of the members
of the firm said that Morgan & Co had
been scrupulously careful to observe the
spirit as well as the letter of the law,
and that the decision of the firm was pri
marily a matter of expediency. Conditions
had so shaped themselves in the past, he
ssid. that the firm had been compelled re
luctantly to accept the burden of manage
ment of various corporations and that it
had long been seeking an opportunity to
lessen this burden.
The chief consideration, it was said,
which has prevented the firm from taking
some such action before this time was the
possible complications which might follow
such actiou. investors throughout the
world have purchased securities marketed
by the house of Morgan, and it was felt
that the firm had assumed a responsibility
in this connection which could nol ne'
lightly laid aside. The recent trend of po
litical events, such as the “money trust”
investigation bv the F’ujo committee and
reports from W»shington that the adminis
tration is coiisidering legislation against
interlocking directorates has created a sU
uation which made it possible lb enter
upon this change in policy.
Mr Baker annoiiuec I his intent ton to
withdraw in response to a question
whether he intended to follow the example
of the Morgan firm. "I intend to get out
ns a director of all the companies that
will let me.” said he. “As a matter of
fact I have beeu beginning to do so for
tlie past two years,”
The connections between Mr Baker and
the .Morgan firm aud especially with the
date J. I'. Morgan, were generally regard
ed as being so close that it is believed
their common decision regarding with
drawn! from interlocking cirectorntes was
reached as tin- result of conceited action.
There wus no evidence that any general
agreement had been readied among the
other leading financiers of Wall street;
Both Kuhn, Loeb & Co aud James Speyer
& Co maintaihed silence. It was predict
ed, nevertheless, by men in Wall street
who have followed the trend of events in
finance and politics in recent times that
the day's events were prophetic of the
end'of the system of ,;iterloeking directo
rates, which' has been bitterly attached for
years and latterly by members of the
present Washington administration and
by members of Congress who have been
fighting what they termed the “money
trust."
Old Morgan a Director ia 39 Corpora
tions.
J. P. Morgan, Sr., at his death was a di
rector in 59 corporations, including many
of the foremost railroad and industrial
companies of the country and several of
the largest banking institutions and to
these directorships his son succeeded. His
partners are directors in marty more cor
porations and the firm, for years the dom
inant banking institution of the United
States, has been financial sponsor for a
considerable number of them. In the or
ganization of several, including the United
States steel corporation, the International
harvester company and the International
mercantile marine company, J. P. Morgan
& Co took the foremost part, and it was
instrumental in the reorganization of oth
ers, notably the Erie and Southern rail
ways.
Georgi F, Baker is a director in more
corporations than any other one man in
the country,-number over 60. Mr Baker,
who has heretofore adhered to a, policy
of silence as rigidly as Mr Morgan, ex
pressed his vriew in his testimony before
the congressional Pujo committee early
last year. Speaking of the concentration
of money and credit, in the hands of a
comparatively few men, he said: "I think
it has gone far enough. It might not be
dangerous, but still it lias gone about far
enough. In good hands, Ido not see that
it would do any harm. If it. got into bad
hands, it would be very bad.”
While Morgan & Co are still represent
ed on the boards of many of the Country’s
great corporations, Mr Alorgah’s state
ment that "we expect from time to time
to retire from other boards” was accept
ed as foreshadowing the ultimate 'with
drawal of Morgan partners ftom all the
great outside enterprises with which they
have long been connected.
Untermyer Not Impressed.
Samuel Untermyer, counsel for the Pujo
committee, said he regretted that the an
nounced list of withdrawals did not “in
clude the more important interlocking di
rectorates in the financial district held by
the firm, such as those in the First na
tional and National City banks. It ap
pears, also,” be said, “that whilst some
of the partners resign from the board of
a given company, one or more, remain,
which would seem to indicate that this is
more in the nature of a business conven
ience than a surrender to public sentiment,
and that nothing very substantial has as
yet been accomplished in the way of -indi
cating the principle for which the advo
cates of corporate reform have been con
tending. But the promise held out in the
interview is encouraging. It will doubt
less all come in time.”
In connection with Mr Untermyer's
statement, it was suggested that the rea
son the Morgan partners had not with
drawn from the boards of the national
banks commonly referred to as Morgan
institutions was that the matter was being
held in abeyance pending the interpreta
tion of the new banking and currency law.
What was interpreted as a sign of will
ingness on Mr Baker's part to give up
such connections was the recent sale by
the First securities company, controled by
First national bank interests, of a Inrge
block of stock in the Chase national bank,
one of the largest financial institutions in
New York. Frank A. Vanderlip. head of
the National City bank, said some time
ago that he hoped to retire from director
ships of outside corporations as soon as
possible and’devote himself to the banking
business exclusive'y. Still another indica
tion of the course of events in Wall street
was the announcement yesterday that the
voting trust of the Guaranty trust com
। pany, consisting of Mr Baker mid Messrs
Porter and Davison of the Morgan firm,
would be dissolved the 30th.
PLAN WON’T BE CHANGED.
Official Washington Thinks That
Money Trust is Not Necessarily
Broken Up.
Official Washington, secmoj Io approve
the action of J. p. Morgan & Co. but it
was believed last week that it would not
prevent an attempt in Congress at the
present session lo enact legislation to pro
hibit interlocking directorates. M bile of
ficial comment was lacking, there was a
general impression that while the action
was a stop in the right directiou. it did
not signalize the breaking np of the so
called moucy trust.
Lawyers who had followed the course
of the money trust inwestfsatron by the
House committee pointed out that while
Morgan A Co had given up directorships
in several large banks and trust com
panies nloM of the conm-driona severed
were with railroads. So far as these of
fieials could sec; tlie relations between
some of th* big financial institutions in
New York have not been broken, though
this might follow.
JUDGE HAMILTON IS NAMED
FUR SUPERIOR COURT BENCH
To Sacceed J. C. Crosby—Successor
May Be Left for Gov-elect Walsh's
Selection,
Judge William Hamilton, who has pre
sided over seven sittings of the police court
of Springfield since his appointment, was
last week named by Gov Foss for associ
ate justice of the superior court to fill
the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Judge John C. Crosby, whose appoint-
w
JUDGE WILLIAM HAMILTON.
meat to the supreme court was confirmed
by the governor's council at the same
meeting at which-Judge Hamilton's name
was sent in. The governor sent in no name
for the appointment as judge of the Spring
field police court, and as bis council will
hold its last meeting this week, no ap
pointment can be made by Inm in time
for its confirmation.. The power to ap
point the new judge, therefore, will be
in the hands of Gov-elect Walsh. The
nomination of Judge Hamilton for the su
perior court bench is noteworthy because
of the fact that only a fortunate combina
tion of circumstances made it possible for
Gov Foss to make the appointment and
get. it confirmed before leaving office, and
the, fact that Judge Hamilton so recently
took up his duties in the local police court
upon appointment by Gov Foss.
Judge Hamilton received many congrat
ulations on his latest appointment, the
third within a few months, inasmuch as
his name was twice presented for the jus
ticeship of the police court, it appearing
that the first appointment, was illegal be
cause made before a vacancy had oc
curred. Ho said lasi week that he hoped
he would be able to "make good” in the
new* position if he received the appoint
ment, and it would seem that his experi
ence of about 24 years practicing in the
superior court should make him a capable
judge. His brief experience in the police
court has already won high praise for him
from many for the efficient handling of
cases which have come before him in that
court.
Judge Hamilton is one of the best known
of the members of the Hampden county
bar, and has lived nractically all his life
in Holyoke and Springfield. He is 48
years old and was born in Holyoke, the
son of Alexander and Margaret Hamil
ton. He was educated in the public schools
of Holyoke and graduated from the law
school of Boston university in 1889. He
entered the office of William ft. Brooks in
Holyoke and in 1892 became a partner in
the firm of Brooks. Hamilton & Guyott,
which since the death of Mr Guyott has
continued under the name Brooks & Ham
ilton. Mr Hamilton was city solicitor in
Holyoke in 1891. 1.892, 1893 and 1897. and
In 1901 w’as democratic candidate for
mayor of Holyoke. He married Miss
Lillian Tuttle of Holyoke and they have
one daughter, Margaret. They have lived
in this city for 11 yeats. He was ap
pointed judge of the Springfield police
court on November 12. 1913, and when it
was discovered that the appointment was
not. valid, because Judge Bosworth’s resig
nation had not taken effect, that appoint
ment was again made on the 10th and con
firmed on the 17tb. He took the oath of
office on the 20th and presided for the first
time in police court on the 22d. As there
was no sitting on Christmas day, and as
Judge Hamilton did not preside at the
sitting,yesterday he has acted as judge of
police court but seven times.
The unexpected ajipoiniment which will
doubtless mean Judge Hamilton's resigua
tion and a consequent vacancy in the
police court, leaves an. unCcitain situation
in regard to the filling of that office. In
asmuch as a week is required botw-een the
time that an appointment is sent by the
OUR RAILROAD PROBLEM
As Viewed by the President of the
Progressive Club ot Massachusetts.
To the Editor of The lieuublictMi
If there is anything that suggests sad
humor, it is this banging at the New Haven
railroad by a corps of publicity seekers;
this w asting of public money , in th? pres :
ent unnecessary investigatipn, at Such
great cost to the people, without it giving
any useful addition to the people’s present
knowledge. At best, it is simply a reiter
ation of the well-known ill-use W money
by the romT. We uijist have' S railroad
in New England ;' it must have pp ojipor
tunity. tinder proper laws,, tbpt WHf allow
it to work for mutfial benefit. Why not
let us have a "get-together meeting"— stop
the present vaudevilles—send thefl. to
Keiths or other playhouses- then inform
the New Haven, as to what must be done
by the road in the future? It seems abso
lutely unfair to the railroad’s new presi
dent to plate on his shoulders, directly
nr indirectly, the disadvantage arising from
these investigations. He is entitled to a
fair chance to keep his promise, and until
wo have evidence that lie has broken or
evaded it. we should consider him honest.
rrom various sources we learn that work
ers- in and small stockholders of the New
Haven, as well as business men. have suf
fered and are suffering, w’hile the "merry
andrew" playlet. "Watch Us.” goes on at
Beacon hill. The interested gentlemen
could help the people of New England
much more if they would help to put in
operation some constructive policy for the
New Haven, and forget, for at least a
breathing spell, their almost seriocomic in
vestigation of this time—it is so vainly
toilsome—it. has passed fair limits —it has
reached the point of reaction.
Until government ownership of rail
roads is established in our commonwealth
or nation, let us avoid destructive policies
and move forward with constructive pol
icies. Truly, this New Haven business is
fast becoming as famous a football for po
litical gymnasts and jingoes, as is old
friend and o.vster "the high cost of living.”
Wendell Phillips Thobe.
Boston. December 2.9. 1913.
HARTFORD’S 1913 RECORDS
INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY
Prof Fisher and the Compensation
Law.
From Our Special Correspondent.
Hartford. Ct.. Saturday, January 3.
Unusually elaborate records of local
eients for the past veir have neon printed
in Hartford this week, records of city af
fairs, of building, of municipal under
takings, of deaths. Some of the latter
were tragic, as that of Dr Harmon G.
Howe, who was one of the victims in the
Stamford accident. It does not seem to
have been printed, but the fact is that in
a sense his death was. due to his courtesy
to an unknown woman in the same car.
He had a chair near the middle of the
car, and she had been able to get only an
end chair, and complained bitterly about
it Without knowing her, lie offered her
his seat and took hers. When the col
lision occurred he was killed in the seat
she had had, and she, sitting in his seat,
escaped. Usually the records aie rather
formal as a matter of course, but there are
many interesting things in them: for in
stance, a table of those who died during
the year at an advanced age. The number
of these was larger than i sual. There
were something like 600 who were over 70.
But the number of those who had reached
80 or 90 was still more remarkable. There
were 14 who had passed 90, and several
of them had uassed a number of years
beyond. Of those between .80 and 90,
there wore 87. One death of a person
aged 101 w'as recorded. As to a few of
these, there may be some doubt as to
the actual age, but the greater part have
been recorded here for so many years,
many of them from birth, that the margin
of error cannot well be very large. The
number of other old towns in which the
same thing is true is one of the strongest
arguments against the gentleman who re
cently offered a reward in New York
papers for any authenticated case of a
person who lived to the age of a century,
and expressed the conviction that no one
could ever win the prize. Iris only safety
was in the stipulation that the proof must
be to his own satisfaction. As a matter
of fact, several centenarians have died in
this vicinity within 20 or 30 years who
were born and recorded in the town to
which they belonged, lived there all their
lives and wet/' beyond question as to age
if any town records are worth anything.
Not many yews ago a banker died in Nor
wich or New; London at the age. of either
100 or 101. About his ago there seems to
have been no possible doubt, and he con
"timied as president of his bank until the
end, or within a. few months, of it. An
other case very well known although not
that of'a centenarian, was that of a man
born in a town on the Connecticut river
near its mouth. When quite young he
went to New York and made a moderate
fortune in business. He retired when
somewhat advanced in life, probably not
far from 60, and being very fond of the
water and of salt-water fishing, he bought
a yacht suitable for almost any weather
and capable of a long cruise on occasion.
With that ho fished, mostly off Montauk
and in that region, for many years. He
lived to be 98, and weut on his usual fish
ing trips until a very few weeks before
bis death. It is trbe that in the ease of
immigrants and of -olored people born in
the South in the old days there is often
much uncertainty about the real age, but
in the older states the chance of error is
comparatively small. Indeed, almost the
only possibility for it lies in the practice
of naming a second or third or fourth
child for an earlier one which died in in
fancy. That was at least common enough
to cast some doubt on claims of exceptional
age, unless the whole family record could
be examined, and even then a question
might arise in ways easy to imagine. Yet
such cases must naturally be exceptional.
The lecture on the compensation law de
livered here this week by I’rof Willard
C. Fisher, recently of Wesleyan univer
sity, had a double interest, primarily from
the fact that he had a very large part in
framing the law and securing its passage,
and secondarily from the recollection of
his dismissal from Wesleyan for views
which most people respect. Almost imme
diately afterward he was appointed a lec
turer at Harvard, although he retains his
residence in Middletown, and is now a
candidate for mayor. He has served two
terms in that capacity, and done much to
improve political and social conditions.
At the close of his last term he was de
feated. and this year he was again a can
didate in the democratic convention, where
he was beaten by a small majority. Ho
will, as at present understood, run on an
independent ticket, but it is said that he
hardly expects to win. It is likely that
much of the university interest will be
used against him. Hie controling opinion
there is very conservative, and his tinge
of socialism and his views on labor are
both displeasing and alarming to some of
the greater powers in the university. Ilis
addreste on the compensation act was as
clear as anything can he on that subject.
The bill has proved puzzling to most of
those who have made a study cf it, and
more than that to those who have merely
read at it and become discouraged early in
the task. Yet it is not so hard to grasp
as many believe in its general provisions.
The difficulty lies largely in details. Prob
ably some things are left to he determined
by common sense, for example. The one
thing about it that is heyond dispute is
that all concerned will have to learn very
soon what they must do and what they
can- expect, and understand what may
happen if they fail to do so. Those who
know most about it seem at present to
be most hopeful of its going into effect
with less annoyance to all concerned than
has been apprehended. Within a few
days another talk on the. bill has been
given here by Mr Chandler, a member of
the commission, and in addition the papers
have printed other discussions and ex
planations. All which goes to show that
there is a good deal of interest and also a
good deal of uncertainty among the public.
People do not attend such lectures purely
for literary satisfaction.
Some time ago the appeal of a minister*
wife in New Jersey that she might be
scientifically put to death to relieve her of
intense and apparently hopeless suffering
attracted wide attention. It now appears
that the woman was finally induced to go
to a Philadelphia hospital and submit to
an intricate surgical operation, which, ac
cordiug to letters written to friends in her
former home in Kansas, has resulted in
her complete cure. She adds, however:--
fjut my gratitude has not made me forget
those still lingering In untn. Perhaps some
day. whea we understand better the meaning
pt,life and the true stgnltleauce of death a
law which I so desire to see passed will be
« reality
In strict logic, however, she ought to
work for more hospitals.