Mexico Missouri message., 1906-05-17
STATEMENT FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
CALLED OUT By THE RATE BILL
CONTROVERSY.
I've LErTERs MADE pUsLIo
The President Denies Trying TO
Dictate Any Particular Pre-
sramnae with Reference 20
Rate LeEislation.

Washington, May 1.-THE sensation
al rate bill Incident in the senate Sat
urday, during which Mr.. TilIhan, 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 dated
Monday The president says;
I'm no case, either in the case Of MIR.
Chandler or anyone else, was there the
slightest opportunity for any honest
misconceptlon Of my attitude or any
belief that pledged myself specifically
to one 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 1t came from the
house"
The president says that as to many
of the amendments, including the so
called Long, oyerman, 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 ever
say either to Mr.. Chandler or to any
one else that 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 we're the same, in
substance, as those made to Mr.. Alli-
son and other senators Of both parties,
He says he was asked to see Chandler
as the representative Of Mr.. TilIman,
in charge Of the bill, and that the con,
ferences Attorney General Moody had
with Senators Tillman and Bailey were
such as had been held with many other
senator's to determine the phraseology
and discuss the effect of amendments
proposed by them. Tho president
states that he became convinced that IT
was impossible for senator's with ad,
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
torney General Moody and Secretaries
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 di-
rection, with Senators Tilfman 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 injunetions and concludes that
there was nothing In the converse
tions" between the senators and him-
self which bound the president to any
particular amendment
Senator Tillman TaIks.
Washington. May 16.-senator TIL
man talked freely with number d
his callers about the statement issued
by President Roosevelt. He expressed
his preference, however, not to be quot
ed pointing out that whatever be
wished to say on the subject Of the
statement he you'd say on the moor Of
the senate, He expects that the dues
tion viii 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 a statement giving I
full history Of the whole matter.
Chnndier Deeliaes to rank.
Washington, May l5. Former sen.
ator Chandler refused to discuss IA,
statement from the White House. IL
indicated that he did not expect to lssu,
q statement 81 this time bearing 90 ths
subject He also indicated that lie VA
anxious to have railroad rate Iegisla-
tion enacted. Regarding his visit I,
the White House, Mr.. Chandler sals
that previous to his invitation to cal
. see the president, on March 81, fol
loving which he conferred with tn,
president regarding the pending rat,
bill, he had not been at the Whit
House for about a month.
10 Forca settlement.
fsi.,,o4.sa n 49, ~ 49,,