The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-23
TARIFF TREATY
 HOUSES SENATE Presidents Method of Negoti- ating German Agreement
 Criticised as Au-
 tocratic.
C0NTRASTED WITH KAISER
Declared That He Has Made Changes Which Are Equivalent to I,egis- Iation and Beyond His
 Authority.

Washington. Jan 22. = President Roosevelt to-day transmitted to the senate and the house copies of the tariff regulations negotiated some ago between the United States and Germany, together with proposed amendment to the customs adminis- trative act putting the same in force as a statute. In the senate the mes sage aroused lively discussion in ex- not addressed to the message as much as to the policy of considering it in executive session and the policy of the president in connection with the agreement. His course not only in ne- gotiating that instrument, but in pro claiming 1t to the world as he did last July, was sharply criticised. It was declared that the agreement makes changes which are equivalent to leg islation and it was pointed out that all legislation affecting the tariff must under the constitution, originate in the house of representatives.
 Attention was called to the third sec tion of the Mckinley law as possibly permitting the presidents course hut his criticism contended that his action in the case har gone far beyond the limits permitted by that section. Stress was laid on the fact that the president had not only negotiated the reaty, but that he had given it out as complete performance without referring tito the senate for it's action This, the sena tors seemed to consider as especially reprehensible and far beyond the au thority of the chief executive, It was pointed out that the German emperor had not only referred the agreement to the Reichstag for its action, but that he had even consulted both the local and the national boards of trade. Hence the president was charged with being even more autocratic than the head of the German empire. It was also de- clared, that under the system of valua- tions provided for by the treaty great injustice would be done. to the United Statess
 Senator Reyburn made strenuous ob- lection when the question was raised that the message was subject for consideration in the open senate ifl- stead of behind closed doors. The Ida ho senator maintained that an open senate would only plunge the senate into an almost endless tariff discussion. Senators McLaurin, Teller and others called for open session and their plel finally won, but not before Senator Gallinger and one or two others had
 delivered their sentiments concerning
 the action of an executive in calling
 for legislation whenever the spirit
 moved him.
 It was finally decided to refer the
 message to the committee on finance.
 If bill is to be forthcoming 1t will be
 from II at committee.
 It is thought by some senators that resolution by Senator Gallinger, which was introduced early in the session. may have something to do with the appearance of the message, and a request for legislation in the German American matter at this time. The figures which the Gallinger reso- lution produced about a week ago showed quite reduction in the value of German exports to the United States since the regulations were passed and since the system of inspecting con- signments was discontinued by our consular officers and agents.