The San Francisco call., 1906-04-04
SENATORIAL TOES
ARE TROD UPON
Members of Upper Branch
Take Ofense at Confer
ence in White House
WANT TO KNOW FACTS
Long and Allison Questioned
as to Authorship of New
Rate Bill Amendment

| WASHINGTON, April 3.-Lorg of Kan
sas spoke at length in the Senate today
in support of the House railroad rate
| bill and his speech was taken advantage
| of by a number of Senators to make in
quiry concerning the recent conference
at the White House, in which the Long
amendment was considered, if not origi-
mated. The controversy was participated
| in by Foraker, Allison, Aldrich Bailey
and Bacon. Long assumed complete re-
sponsibility for the amendment, but both
he and Allison declined to divulge the
proceedings of the conference.
Bailey was anxious to nave answered
some questions concerning the White
House conference of last Saturday. These
were:
WAS the amendment submitted yes
terday by Long agreed to at that confer
ence, and when did the conference
occur?"
He read the newspaper account of the
meeting, which mentioned the names of
| those present, including that of Allison.
The Iowa Senator arose during the read
ing and turning from Long, the Texas
Senator, addressed his query to Allison:
Il went to the White House on invita-
tion,'' SAID Allison, and in doing so he
smiled with his fellow Senators, who
manifested much good natured interest
over his being called so suddenly and
Unexpectedly to the witness stand.
BAILEY CHATECHISES LONG.
Attempting to turn the current of dis
cussion, Allison asked whether the SEN
ate committee on interstate commerce
had given sufficient attention to this
question.
Bailey then turned to Long and asked
him to state whether his amendment had
been agreed upon at the conference.
This amendment, responded Long,
ssyya h1y gentlemen II
the White House"
Bailey then asked whether the amend
ment was considered by the conference"
and Long responded that the conference
did consider this amendment"
Bailey remarked that this admission
had had the effect of clarifying the situ-
alton. He then indulged in a brief criti-
cism of the President for his participa-
ton in the conference, saying that the
constitution provided way by whcn
the Chief Executive might communicate
with the Senate, and that it did not con-
template that he should merely invite
few friends. all of his own party, to con-
slider the contemplated legislation.
Allison interrupted, saying i was not
invited to a conference. l was invited to
the White House..
WAS the Senator invited there to
take dinner?" asked Bailey.
Whether 1 was invited there to take
ton of so much Importance that lde-
cline to discuss the subject" said Alli- |
son, smilingly.
FORAKER QUESTIONS ALLISON.
Foraker came to the front with an |
inquiry addressed to Allison.
THE Senator from Iowa has told us /
what was not considered at the con-
ference he said. What we want to
know is: What did happen? VIII not
the Senator enlighten us on that points"
Il may say in brief" replied Allison,
that l decline to say what transpired
at private meeting at the Presidents
house
Bacon then quizzed Long concerning |
the White House meeting.
The amendment is nothing more or |
less than q suggestion" said Long, in |
an effort to dispose of it with sent |
ence The opportunity was not afford |
ed however, for Bacon demanded to |
know the source of the amendment.
"A suggestion from whom? From the
Presidents" he asked.
From myself" answered Long.
"Ah" replied Bacon, with evident |
disappointment.
TILLMAN TO THE RESCUE.
Recurring to the merits of the con-
troversy, Bacon referred to the news
paper account of the conference, and !
said the fact that Long had introduced |
in the Senate the amendment as the pa
pers had said he would had completely |
corroborated the accounts.
This" he said. shows that the |
amendment originated in the White |
House conference. and not with those |
who have no right to propose amend |
ments."
1.-The Senator" replied Long, has
been long enough in public life not to
believe all which he sees in public |
print. 1 may also state that, while 1
cannot say what took place at the |
White House, the amendment was not
prepared at the White House confer
ence."
He would not admit, as was suggest
ed at this juncture by Aldrich, that lit
had been found necessary to get the
sanction of the White House."
Tillman came to Longs rescue by
suggesting that the Kansan should
courteously suggest to otner Senators,
as Senator Spooner had done with him
recently in another matter, that what