Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-13
STAR CHAMBER IS OPPOSED
Executive Meeting sn Philippine Tariff De
Aoussed in ssnats.
PATTERSON WANTS THE PRESS ADMITTED
R~eiterates charge that Lodge sought
60 Exclude Newspaper Men in
rncc of Latter SEN
atOr's Denial.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-with the 'ex.
ception OF a sharp clash between MIR. Lodge
and MIR. Patterson over the question Of ad.
mission Of representatives OF the press 10
the Investigation Of the Philippine tariff
bill. the senate today was quiet. The Colo
RADIO senator desired that all newspaper
men be admitted, to the committee hearings,
declaring that as now conducted they were
of a star chamber character. He said his
recollection was that Mr.. Lodge had sug-
gested that the hearings be entirely secret.
This drew the FIRE Of the Massachusetts
senator, who Indignantly denied that he
had suggested anything of the kind. He in
sisted that the reports Of the hearings by
the three press associations we're accurate
and fair to both sides OF the controversy.
A communication from the secretary OF
war transmitting a communication from the
federal party in the Philippines In support
of American rule In the islands called from
Mr.. Patterson the statement that the fed
ersl party had obtained it's control In the
islands by promising to the Filipinos that
they would be admitted ultimately to state
hood.
Teller Greatly in Evidence.
Mr.. Teller occupied the attention Of the
senate during the greater part Of today's
session and has not yet concluded his
speech.
Mr.. Turner OF Washington presented
a memorial from the National Anti
Trust league enumerating certain trusts
and combinations which the memorial
sets forth were operating in conflict
with the Sherman antitrust Law. He
said the petition stated that the existence
of these so-called trusts had been called to
the attention Of the attorney general OF the
United States with a request that the ma
chinery OF the government be set In motion
with the view OF the destruction OF the
trusts, but thus far nothing had been done
The petition prayed that congress take
action in vindication Of its Law. Mr.. Turner
said the memorial contained also some allie
cations against the present attorney gen.
eral and his immediate predecessor, but he
did not wish to be understood as fathering
the charges. He asked that the memorial
be printed in the Congressional Record, but
Mr.. Gallinger Of New Hampshire objected
and its printing was not ordered.
In presenting a petition for congressional
relief Of cotton growers from the cotton
weavil, Mr.. Culbertson OF Texas said that
the boil weavil had destroyed 800, 900 bales
Of cotton in Texas alone during the last
year and on account of the ravages OF the
pest grave apprehension is felt for the cul-
~tivation OF cotton in central and southeast
ern Texas.
Philippine Fight Again On.
Mr.. Teller resumed his speech on the
Philippines.
Mr.. Tillman interrupted Mr.. Teller to
inquire of Mr.. Lodge, chairman Of the COM
mittee on Philippines, whether it was true.
NJ AAoA-o1 L. .~ A.A AA.A
committee was conducting It's Investigation
Of the Philippine question In a sort of star
chamber manner. special representatives Of
the press being excluded.
Mr.. Lodge replied that that was an idle
story, that representatives OF the three
press associations were admitted to the
hearings and that fair reports we're being
cent out. 1t had been decided by the COM
mittee not to admit all newspaper men,
because the committee room was totally
inadequate for the accommodation Of the
public.
Mr.. Patterson said that when the Phil
ippine committee had the matter Of the
hearings under consideration 1t was his
recollection that the chairman (Mr. Lodge)
had suggested that no members Of the press
be admitted.
II never made such a suggestion-never,'
lnIoTJeCJeu MT. l@OuB0 warmly ana L 0p-
ject to such statements as that made by the
senator"
Patterson Repeats the Charge.
Notwithstanding" continued MT. Pat
t~erson, 81 reiterate my statement"
Il ask the senator" interrupted Mr..
Lodge, "if he reiterates the statement that
I suggested that the press be excluded? %
THAT is my recollection" replied Mr..
Patterson.
WELL protested Mr.. Lodge, 81 have de-
MED that statement most emphatically."
A communication was received from the
secretary OF war transmitting to the senate
a memorial from the leaders OF the federal
party in the Philippines in support of
American rule In the islands. Mr.. Hoar,
disciaimihg any desire to precipitate a de-
bate at this time, remarked sarcasticaliy
that the memorial was "a pretty good COM
mentary'' on the state OF the Philippine
commission, which prohibited the promuIEa-
ton by any society OF any political opinion
or policy. He said Il appeared lawful under
the acts Of the commission to publish opin-
ions when three members OF the Philippine
commission we're members OF the society,
provided that the publication be accomp
MED by an expression of marvellous ad-
miration" for the commission itself.
Mr.. Patterson thought the senate ought
to understand the special significance Of the
document presented by the federal party.
He appealed that the majority be per-
fectly frank with the Filipinos, that course
being, in his judgment, the best to pursue.
The senate then. at 5 o'clock. went into
executive session and i've minutes later ad-
journed.