The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-01
EFFORT TO CONCEAL
FACTS IS CHARGED
Lodge Laughs at the Minor
ity's Accusation.
MAJ. GARDINER WANTED
Patterson Says Wire Him to Come to
Washington.
MAJ. GARDINER WANTED
THE RESOLUTION GOES OVER TILL TODAY
Gardiner Should Appear Before Senate Philip.
pine Committee, Says the Minority.
Tillman Thinks Information
is Smothered,
tBy the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, April 30.-A resolution Of
fered in the Senate today by Mr.. Patter-
son (Colo), directing the Secretary OF
War to order by cable Major Gardiner
now in. the Philippines, to come imme-
diately to Washington to appear before
the Philippine Committee, precipitated a
warm discussion. The debate continued
for about two hours, considerable feel
ing being manifested on both sides OF
the chamber. The charge was made by
committee was endeavoring to suppress
facts and information. This was denied
by the chairman of the committee, Mr..
Lodge, who said that any such action
would be inconceivably stupid. The res
olution finally went over until tomor-
row.
The bill for the purchase Of the Rose
bud Reservation in South Dakota and
the Sundry Civil Bill were considered but
no action was taken upon them.
During the discussion on the Patter-
son resolution Mr.. Tillman indicates his
belief that information was being
''smothered" and he demanded to know
from Mr. Lodge whether he proposed Ito
dragoon the Senate into a vote upon
this measure"
Mr. Lodge replied laughingly that he
wished he could dragoon the Senate into
d vote upon the measure but Mr.. Till
man knew he could do nothing of the
kind. He believed it would be preposter-
Gus for the Senate to wait upon a sin
gle witness.
"Of course" said Mr. Tillman, every
thing can go along leisurely if the Phil
ippine committee is to smother infor-
nation
Mr.. Allison pointed out that nobody OBJ
jccted to the testimony of Major Gar
diner. His regiment would leave the
Philippines soon. He intimated that Ma
jor Gardiner was particularly anxious to
be witness and personally he was not
in favor of decorating him by ordering
him by cablegram to come to this coun-
Try in advance of his regiment. If one
witness were to be called from the Phil
ippnes he thought it would be necessary
tc summon others. 1t might be neces-
sary to get the view of the other thirty
odd provincial governors which, he sug-
gested might be as valuable as those
of Major Gardiner. He was strongly
opposed to calling Major Gardiner home
by cable.
In support of the resolution Mr.. Car
mack (Tenn), declared that the report
made by Major Gardiner was so start
ling and important that the Secretary of
War had endeavored to keep it from the
He insisted that unless the proposed
resolution were adopted Major Gardiner
surely would not get to Washington be-
fore Congress adjourned.
Mr.. Culberson fTexas), explained that
the minority of the Philippine commit
tee especially desired Major GARDENERS
testimony because his statements had
been challenged by Governor Taft and
General Macarthur.
After making a brief review of the
work of the Philippine Commissioner.
Lodge, the chairman, said that Major
Gardiner ought to appear before the
committee. Personally, he desired to
hear his testimony before Congress ad-
journed, but il Major Gardiner was to be
called by cable, he probably would want
to call the other three provincial gov
ernors. He suggested sarcastically that
Major Gardiner was a particularly i'm
portant witness, because he seemed to
agree in some respects with the minority.
If the testimony of one provincial gov
ernor was desirable, that of the thirty
odd others probably would be.
HAS the Senator suggested. inter
rupted Mr.. Patterson, that the other
governors be called?"
81 make the suggestion now,' retorted
Mr.. Lodge.
Mr.. Patterson said the minority had
objected to the calling of no witnesses,
and indeed was willing that any wit
nesses should be summoned who could
throw any light upon the situation.
Continuing, Mr.. Lodge said that the
minority of the committee had suggested
that Aguinaldo, Sixto Lopez, Mabini and
some prisoners of war of the Island of
Guam; H. Bray, an agent of the Filipino
Junta, at Hong Kong. and two Asso-
ciated Press correspondents, Mr.. Collins,
at Pekin, and Mr.. Martin. in Venezuela,
be called as witnesses. The committee
had decided not to call them for various
reasons.
The committee thought that the testi-
mony of Filipino prisoners was not de-
sirable. Bray was a British subject, and
the two correspondents were inaccessible.
Admiral Dewey and General Anderson,
he said, would appear as witnesses and
the list of witnesses was of sufficient