Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-05-03
Roosevelt Explains Re-
fusaI of Aid From
Other Countries
FOR FRISCO SUFFERERS
Declined Only When Offered
Government---Prop0ses
Vote of Thanks.

Washington, May 3.-A special mes
sage was sent to congress today by
President Roosevelt in which he ex-
planned the attitude of this govern
ment regarding the offer of contribu-
tions to the San Francisco sufferers
from foreign countries. The president
says that where contributions were
made to this government he did not
feel warranted in accepting them.
But where they were made to the citi-
zens' relief committee of San Francis
CO no official action was or could be
taken in regard to them.
Nelson on Rate Bill.
The message indicates the govern
ments of the entire civilized world
sympathy and many of them with con-
tributions. The president in concluding
says: Appropriate expressions of
gratitude to all these friends have
been made and returned by the state
department or by myself, but it seems
to me the real depth of grateful feel
ing awakened in our people by all
these evidences of genuine sympathy
and friendship should be expressed
also by formal action of the supreme
legislative power of the nation. | re-
commend the passage by congress of
an appropriate resolution to that end
Nearly All Heard From.
Washington. May 3-When the rail-
road rate bill was taken up in the SEN
ate today, Nelson spoke in opposition
to Bailey's amendment depriving the
inferior federal courts of power of sus-
pending orders of the interstate COM
merce commission. The house today
began consideration of the naval ap-
preparation bill.
Not Likely to Fix Type.
Washington. May s. Congress IS
not likely to pass legislation determin-
ing the type of the Panama canal. Al
though no vote was taken, that was
the drift of the discussion by the SEN
ate committee on interOceanic canals,
in session three hours yesterday. The
sentiment expressed by an overwhelm-
ing majority of the committee was that
the present law, the Spooner act, in
tended to provide for a lock canal, and
that congress having one decided this
question, should not alter its decision,
especially as the administration charg-
ed with construction favors that plan.
The senators who were pronounced
in their support of the administration,
which desires to build the canal in
compliance with plans recommended
by a minority of the board of consult
ing engineers, were Millard, Knox,
Hopkins. Simmons, Platt, and Dryden.
Kittredge and Taliaferro spoke in ia
vor of the sea level plan, while Nor
gan said he preferred his own plan
and was inclined not to vote on the
question at all.
Much to Investigate.
The senate committee has many
questions it desires to consider in con-
nection with the government of the
canal zone, and it is believed at the
next executive session a vote will be
taken not to report bill on the type
of the canal.
During the discussion Secretary
Taft's report was quoted as follows:
'If congress decides in favor of lock
canal. or if il chooses not to make
any decision at all anu Is WllilNS 10
leave the situation as it is upon the
law as it is, the president will not hes
itate to adopt the plan recommended
by the minority. with some possible
and proceed to speedy
on the great waterway
at an S5foot level
Roosevelt on Standard Oil.
Washington, May 3,-The president
will send to congress Gar
fields report on the oil industry, with
a special message of comment.
Sustain SmoOt Charges.
Washington, May 3.-A poll of the
senate committee on privileges and
elections developed the fact that ma
jority will vote to sustain the charges
against Senator Smoot, but the full
of opposition cannot be held
for the report recommending the ex-
of the senator, which would re-
quire only a majority vote of the sen.
ate. In view of this, those who be
lieve the charges against Smoot wer.
proved, are seeking an agreement by
which report cannot be made in ia.
vor of unseating him and without TAX
ing into consideration the constitution.
al questions involved If this is done
1t would leave to the senate the deter