New-York tribune., 1906-04-04
ASK ABOUT AMENDMENT
SEN4TORS W1NT AUTHOR.
Tn to Find Out What Happened at
White House Conference.

st the White House. In which the Long amend
r,ert was considered Messrs. Foraker, Allison.
Alsrtcb Rafley and Bacon took part in the dis
o,ssion Mr. Long assumed complete RESPONSE
b,,tv for the amendment. and both he and MIR.
.uison declined TO divulge the proceedings of
the conference
7, me discussion OF Mr. Leng's speech Mr.
tastlev was anxious to have answered some
Questions concerning the White House confer
ence OF last Saturday These were:
was the amendment submitted yesterday by
~ g.one agreed upon at that conference, and
did such a conference occur
F5s read the newspaper account Of the meeting
which mentioned the names of those present, in
,l,sinr that Of Mr. Allison. The Iowa Senator
arose and turning from Mr.. Long the Texas
senator addressed his query to Senator Allison
- v,sn, 10 the White House on invitation"
said Nr Allison. and in doing so he smiled with
MS fellow Senators who manifested much good
rst,-ed interest over his being called so sud
denly and unexpectedly 20 the witness stand
To nv knowledge" he went on, this I'M
-. ouestion Of just compensation was not
considered at that time.
Nr Allison asked whether the Senate Com
ynittee on Interstate Commerce had given sum-
,isnt attention 10 this question Mr.. Bailey then
,prred 10 NJ Long and asked him TO state
.t.,te- his amendment had been agreed on at
The conference.
..rn,s amendment" responded Mr.. Long, was
,,rsrsred l,y several gentlemen not at the White
House
Nj. Bailey then asked whether The amend
-,s,- was considered by the conference" and
NJ Long responded that me conference uN
not consiaer the amendment
A. Bailey remarked that this admission had
ha5 t,s effect of clarifying the situation he
-, ,,5rlre6 in q brief criticism OF the Presi-
5erf for taking part in the conference. saying
tbat the Constitution provides way Tor the
chief Executive TO communicate with the Sen
STE ana that il did not contemplate that he
should merely invite in few friends. all or ms
own party, 10 consider contemplated legislation
MIR. BAILEY's COMPLAINT.
NJ Allison interrupted. saying: u was not
...es :, a conference was invited TO the
white House"
Was Tie senator invited there TO take din
Dsre" asked Mr.. Bailey.
..V1ather / was invited there 10 take dinner
nv take tea OF 10 discuss legislation is a ques-
sion ~ so much importance that decline to dis
c,lss the subject" said the Iowa leader, with
-uinlle in his eye that again put the Senate IN
good humor.
Mr. Bailey was. however, not diverted from
his point and he proceeded 10 express his opln-
fout IN
was considered a non-partisan measure il was
no, consistent for the President 10 confine his
conferences 10 members Of his own party.
NJ Foraker came 10 the front with inquiry
addressed 10 Mr.. Allison.
..Tpe Senator rom Iowa has told as what was
not considered at the conference" he said.
What We want 10 know is what did happen;
VIII not the Senator enlighten US on that point!
7 may say in BRIEF" replied Mr.. Allison, that
decline TO say what transpired at a private
meeting al the Presidents house"
Nr Foraker insisted. and M. Allison went on:
II the Senator from Ohio should go 10 the
White House and should chance TO meet him
and ask him, What did you say 10 the President
and what did the President say 20 you?' would
you consider il proper course on my part?
Wouldn't you consider Il a matter that should
have right 10 inquire Gbout?'
Yes" responded Mr. Foraker. but # would
be different II should come in while YOU were
discussing the matter and should ask you
about it"
That" replied M. Allison with slight
show Of petulance unusual with him, 'is a mat
ter OF ethics for the Senator from Ohio 10 decide
for himself.
Mr Foraker agreed with him and both Sen
ators took their seats. only 10 afford oppor-
tuuity 10 Mr.. Bacon TO quiz Mr.. Long concern
ing the White House meeting. He wanted 10
know whether II the President has the right 20
suggest an amendment al this stage Of the pro-
ceediug Il would be necessary 10 refer back TO
the White House any possible notifications Of
the provision 20 ascertain whether II is accept
able. Mr.. Long responded that he had no doubt
chAf this alnendmenf would take the same
course that any other amendment should take
that it would proceed in the usual parliamentary
manner.
AMENDMENT A SUGGESTION
The amendment is nothing more nor less
than suggestion" he said. in effort TO dis
pose OF II with sentence. Mr.. Bacon demanded
70 know The source Of the amendment
a suggestion from whom? From the Presi-
oent?" he asked.
Prom myself answered Mr.. Long.
An" replied Mr.. Bacon. with evident disap-
pointnent.
Occurring 10 the merits OF the controversy. Mr..
Bacon referred 10 the newspaper account of the
conferences, and said the fact that Mr.. Long had
introduced The amendment. the papers had
said he would had completely cOrrOborated the
accounts.
This" ne said. shows that the amendment
originated IN the White House conference, and
not with the Senator from Kansas-with those
who have no right TO propose amendments"
The Senator" replied Mr. Long, has been
long enough in public life not 10 believe all that
he sees IN the public prints ] say again that
while I cannot say what took place at the White
House, the amendment ~as mol prepared al tile
White House conference
He would not admit wss suggested at this
3unct ure by Mr. Aldrich. that 1T had been found
necessary 10 get the sanction or the Whlte
House"
M Bailey again referred 20 Mr.. Allison's
statement concerning the White House confer
eIne asvsnR that the Iowa Senator had replied
'curtly' 20 Mr. FOrakers inquiries concerning