Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-05-15
Submits Statement to
Congress Opposing
HoIdup Methods.
REPLIES TO ATTACKS
Gives Correspondence Involved
In Controversy With Bal
ley and TiIIman.

Washington, May 15.-The president
from Secretary Taft, accompanied by
numerous appendices bearing on the
controverted right of the Isthmian
canal commission to purchase supplies
abroad if they can be secured cheaper
than in America The president
simply states the views expressed in
the affirmative have his full APPROX
al. The letter of Taft to the president
relates to the purchase of dredges for
use in the construction of the canal.
Takes Up Lodges Amendment.
Washington, May 15.-The senate be-
gan its consideration of the railroad
bill today by taking up Lodges amend
ment providing for increasing the in
terstate commerce commission to nine
members and requiring one to be ap-
pointed from each of the judicial cir
cults of the country.
Hopkins In Lime Light.
Hopkins opposed the amendment on
the ground it would deprive the COM
mission of it's national character. He
also opposed the enlargement of the
commission and found fault with the
proposed increase of salary for the
members of the commission. 1--WE are
running mad in our efforts to increase
the salaries OF officials he declared.
Again Presents Statement.
Washington, May 15.-In the senate
today Senator Tillman presented
statement on the memorandum from
ex-senator William E. Chandler, re-
garding the court review amendment
TO the railroad rate bill. 1t was the
same statement made by Tillman on
Saturday last
Writes TO Allison.
Washington, May 15.-In letter ad-
dressed to Senator Allison and made
public at the White house last night
President Roosevelt relates in detail
his version of the railroad rate bill to
date. He asserts that in his negotia-
tions with the democratic leaders he
did not commit himself to any amend
ment, but kept himself free to take up
the best plan offered. The statement
ignores absolutely the question of YER
acity raised in connection with former
Senator Chambers recital of an inter
view with the president, in which IL
was declared that the latter had refer
red to Senators Knox, SpoOner and For
aker as persons who were seeking tD
injure or defeat rate Legislation by in
genious arguments.
Satisfied to Rest Case.
In spite of the statement of MIR.
Chandler reiterating the declaration
presented to the senate by Mr.. Tillman
last Saturday, the president seems sat
isfied, for the present at least, to rest
his case before the country on his ori-
ginaI emphatic denial.
Accompanying the communication to
Mr.. Allison is copy of a letter from
Attorney General Moody to the presi-
dent containing the formers report to
his chief on the conferences with Sen
ators Bailey and Tillman regarding
court review. The attorney general,
who, it is understood, was summoned
nurriedIy back to Washington from a
pleasure trip on account of the recent
sensations, declares there was nothing
in the conversations between the SEN
ators and himself which bound the
president to any particular amendment,
or in the slightest degree impaired his
liberty at any time to acquiesce in any
amendment which he should deem ex-
pedient and in the public interest.
Caused Surprise.
The presidents letter TO Senator AL
lison is surprise to public men in
Washington in many particulars. The
fact that such a letter had been writ
ten was known several hours in ad-
vance of its issuance to the press, and
the general belief was that it would be
in the nature of another sensation.
Senator Tillman, it is understood. is
preparing a pedigree" as he terms it..
of the several controversies in which
President Roosevelt has assailed the
truthfulness of various persons up to
and including his branding of Mr..
Chambers story of an interview with
him as "a deliberate and unqualified
falsehood.''
Had a Conference.
Senators Bailey and Till.nan and for
mer Senator Chandler were in confer
ence last night at Senator Bailey's
home, and Senator Bailey advised Sen
stor Tillman not to make any further
public statements right now.