The intimate papers of Colonel House arranged as a narrative by Charles Seymour.

CURRENCY REFORM

161

conferences with the bankers themselves, especially those
who had had practical experience in drafting previous bills
for Republican Administrations.
'December 19, 1912: I talked with Paul Warburg over the
telephone regarding currency reform. I told of my Washington trip and what I had done there to get it in working
order; that the Senators and Congressmen seemed anxious
to do what Governor Wilson desired and that I knew the
President-elect thought straight concerning the issue.
'February 26, 1913: I went to the Harding dinner and
talked with the guests invited to meet me. It was an interesting occasion. I first talked to Mr. Frick, then with Denman, and afterwards with Otto Kahn.
'March 13, 1913: Vanderlip and I had an interesting discussion regarding currency reform.
'March 27, 1913: Mr. J. P. Morgan, Jr., and Mr. Denny of
his firm, came promptly at five. McAdoo came about ten
minutes afterwards. Morgan had a currency plan already
formulated and printed. We discussed it at some length. I
suggested that he should have it typewritten and sent to us
to-day.' 1
'The Governor [recorded Colonel House on January 8,
1913] agreed to put me in touch with Glass, Chairman of the
Banking and Currency Committee, and I am to work out a
measure which is to be submitted to him.
'He spoke of his fear that Bryan would not approve such a
bill as I have in mind. I said it was better to contend with
Mr. Bryan's disapproval and fail in securing any bill at all,
than it was to get one which was not sound.
'March 24, 1913: I had an engagement with Carter Glass
at five. We drove, in order not to be interrupted....
1 Typewritten, in order to avoid the impression that might be given by
a printed plan that Morgan's were so sure of their financial power that
they could impose a cut-and-dried plan.