The age-herald., 1902-05-01
Hot Debate on SumnOrang Ot
 Major Gardener
TESTIMONY BADLY WANTED
Democrats Accuse Majority of Trying to Suppress information About Philippines, and Lodge indiq-
 nantly Denies Charges.

Washington, April 3O.-A resolution of. fered in the Senate today by MT. Pat terson Colorado, directing the secretary of war to order by cable Major Gardener, now in the Philippines. to come immedi- ately to Washington to appear as wit ness before the Philippine committee. preeipitated a warm discussion. The de- bate continued for about two hours, con- siderable feeling being manifested on both sides of the chamber. The charge was made by the minority that the majority of the committee was endeavoring to sup- press facts and information.
 This was denied by the chairman of the committee, MT. Lodge who said that any such action would be inconceivably stupid. He said Major Gardeners tes- timony was particularly important and l that 1t ought to be had before action was taken on the pending bill The reso- lution finally went over until tomorrow. In the preamble to the resolution Mir. Patterson declared that the Philippine committee had decided by partisan vote to refuse to ask that Major Gardener be called to appear soon as he could. come IO the united states.
 Lines Not "Partisan."
 MT. McComas raised the question that 1t was not proper to say that the commit 1 tee had divided upon partisan" lines. MT. Allison said he was satisfied that Major Gardener would reach Washington long before Congress adjourned and there would be ample time to get his testimony. l Mr- Tilln1ap indicated fc +to+ formation was being ''smothered" and he demanded to know from MT. Lodge whether he proposed to dragoon the Senate into a vote upon this measure..s
 MT, Lodge replied. laagh,ngiy, that Le ! wished he could dragoon the Senate into a vote on the measure, but MT Tillman knew he could do nothing of the kind. He believed it would be preposterous for ? the Senate to wait on a single witness. ''of course" said MT. Tillman. "every- thing can go along leisurely if the Philip pine committee is to smother informa- tion."
 MT. Carmack of Tennessee declared that the report made by Major Gardener was so startling and important that the Secre- tary of War had endeavored to keep it from the Senate and from the American people. He insisted that unless the pro posed resolutions were adopted Major Gardener surely would not get to Wash ington before Congress adjourned. l. MT. Culberson of Texas explained that the minority of the Philippine committee especially desirsu ---ajor Gardeners test1- mony, because his statements had been challenged by Governor Taft and General Macarthur.
 Might Summons Other Governors
 MT. Lodge the chairman, said that Ma jor Gardener ought to appear before the l committee. He suggested sarcaStically | that -aajor Gardener was particularly de- slrable as a witness because he seemed to agree in some respects with the minority If the testimony of one provincial gover- nor was desirable, that of the thirty odd more provincial governors probably would be-
 Has the Senator suggested" inter rupted MT. Patterson that the other governors be calledT'
 T make the suggestion now" retorted | MT. Lodge.
 MT. Patterson said the minority had objected to the calling of no witnesses. and indeed was willing that any witnesses | should be summoned who could throw any light on the situation.
 Continuing, MT. Lodge said that the minority of the committee had suggested that Aguinaldo. Sixto Lopez, Mabini and some prisoners of war on the island or Guam; H. H. Bray, an agent of the Fili- ptno Junta at Hong Kong, and two Asso- ciated Press correspondents, MT. Collins at Pelxin and MT. Martin in Venezuelss be called as witnesses. The committee had decided not to call them for various reasons The committee thought that the testimony of Filipino prisoners was not desirable Bray was a British subject and the two correspondents were lnac- cessble Admiral Dewey and General Anderson, he said. would appear as wit nesses, and the list of witnesses was suf- hG until the adjournment of Congress.
 MT. Carmack said Major Gardner had | made q grave accusation against military conduct in his province. and he believed the accusation demanded investigation He insisted. however, that the majority of the committee was not eager to gex information. He then sent to the clerk'a desk and after some objections from Mir. Lodge and a brief spat. between the two had read a synopsis of statement whicE | MT. Atkinson expected to have made te | the committee.
 | The Senate at 5:20 D. m. adjourned.
 THE HOUSE.
 Washington, April 9O.-The House today | passed the agricultural appropriatior. bill and began consideration of the Diss trict of Columbia appropriation bill thu last but two of the regular supply measi ures. By the terms of a special ruld | adopted before the district bill was takeEt | up. it will be in order to attach a rides to 1t to make operative the existing per- sonal tax law of the district which haf been dead letter for twenty years | Chairman Cannon estimated that there l was $100, ,000,0 900 of untaxed personal prop | erty in Washington The Goldfogle reso.j | lution calling on the secretary of state | for information to whether American citizens of Jewish faith were excluded | from Russia was adopted.
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