Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1906-05-18
STATEMENT FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
CALLED OUT BY THE RATE BILL
CONTROVERSY.
TWO LETTERS MADE PUBLIC
The President Denies Trying 60
Dictate Any Particulars FRO.
Yramme with reference e
Rate L~cgislatiOn.

Rate legislation.
Washington, May 1.-THE sensation
al rate bill incident in the senate Sat-
urday, during which Mr.. Tillman, on
the authority of former Senator Chand-
Ter, made statements regarding the
presidents course in connection with
pending railroad rate legislation, some
Of which statements were denied by
Mr.. Lodge on behalf of the president,
had its sequel, Monday evening, when
an official statement was issued by the
White House giving an account Of the
subject on the part of the president
and Attorney General Moody. The
statement comprised two letters. one
from the president to Senator Allison
and the other from Attorney General
Moody to the president, both deted
Monday. The president says:
"In no case, either in the case of MI.
Chandler or anyone else, was there the
slightest opportunity for any honest
misconception of my attitude or any
belief that l pledged myself specifically
to n and only one amendment or set
of amendments, or that would not be
satisfied with an amendment which pre-
served the essential features of the
Hepburn bill as it came from the
house"
The president SAYS that as to many
of the amendments, including the so
called Long, Overman, Bacon and
Spooner amendments, he had said he
should be entirely satisfied to have them
in the bill, and suggested notifications
as to other amendments, but that "as to
none (of the amendments) did I ever
say either to Mr.. Chandler or to any
one else that I should insist upon hav-
ing them in the bill as a condition of
my approval" and that, on the contrary,
he (the president) was careful to state
that he was not trying to dictate any
particular programme Of action. The
president says the statements made to
Senator Chandler were the same, in
substance, as those made to Mr.. ALI
son and other senator's of both parties.
He says he was asked to see Chandler
as the representative of Mr.. Tillman.
in charge of the bill, and that the con.
ferences Attorney General Moody had
with Senators Tillman and Bailey were
such as had been he'd with many other
senator's to determine the phraseology
and discuss the effect Of amendments
proposed by them. The president
states that he became convinced that it
was impossible for senator's with adj
vantage to use him as an Intermediary,
and suggested to all to whom he spoke
that they communicate with Senator
Allison, whose purposes and the presi-
dents were Identical" The president
says that his own opinion that the Al.
lison amendment in no way changed the
court review as provided in the original
Hepburn bill is also the opinion of At
Root and Taft. The attorney generals
letter gives an account, at the presi-
dents request. Of the conference which
Mr.. Moody had, at the presidents d.
rection, with Senators Tillman and Bal.
ley regarding the court review feature.
He says he advised the president that
he should not at any stage become
finally committed beyond recall to any
form of language in any part of the bill,
and the president affirmed the wisdom
Of that course.
He reviews the discussion of inter-
locutory injunctions and concludes that
there was nothing In the ''conversa-
tions" between the senators and him
self which found the president to any
particular amendment.
Senator Tillman Talks.
Washington, May Ex-senator Till.
man talked freely with a number OF
his callers about the statement issued
by President Roosevelt. He expressed
his preference. however. not to be quot
ed, pointing out that whatever he
wished to say on the subject Of the
statement he would say on the floor OF
the senate. He expects that the ques,
tion will be brought to the front In
some way in the senate. He discussed
the presidents statement with former
Senator Chandler. and he urged Mr.
Chandler to issue q statement giving {
full history Of the whole matter.
Chandler DeclInes to Talk.
Washington, May 15.-Former Sen
ator Chandler refused to discuss tn,