FIGHT NEARLY BREAKS OUT AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 3, 1921, a fight nearly broke out at a Congressional hearing on Capitol Hill here in Washington. W. P.G. Harding*, Governor of the Federal Reserve Board, taking offense to criticism of the Board's credit policies, "charged across the...room swinging his fists."
Fortunately, none of the swings landed because the Governor was "halted by struggling associates."
The criticism came from John Skelton Williams**, former Comptroller of the Treasury and Mr. Harding's intended target.
*William P.G. Harding (1864-1930) was born in Boligee, Alabama & earned his BA & MA at the University of Alabama, 1880-1881. WPGH served as 2nd chairman of the Federal Reserve 1914-1922 & as president of the Federal Reserve Bank 1923-1930.
**John Skelton Williams (1865-1926) was born in Powhatan County, Virginia & served as the 13th Comptroller of the Currency, 1914-1921.
SOURCE
"W.P.G. Harding Near Fist Fight With Williams," The New York Tribune, August 4, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
