The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-23
SCORES ROOSEVELT
SENATORS DECLARE HE UsURPED
POWER OF OTHERS.



with Germany.
washington, Jan. 22.-President
Roosevelt today Transmitted to the
Senate and the House copies of the
tariff regulations negotiated some time
ago between the United States and
Germany. together with a proposed
amendment to the customs administra-
tive act putting the same In force
as a statute.
In the Senate the message aroused
lively discussion in executive session
when 1t was taken up. The Presi-
dents course not only in negotiating
the agreeemnt. but In proclaiming 1t
was sharply criticized. It was de-
clared that the agreement makes
changes which are equivalent to legis-
lation and 1t 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
section of the Mckinley law as posi-
bly, permitting the Presidents course
but his critics contended that his &C.
tion In this case had gone far beyond
the limits permitted by that section.
Stress was laid on the fact that the
President had not only negotiated the
treaty but that he had given 1t out
as complete performances without re-
ferring It to the Senate for its action.
This the senator's seemed to consider
as especially reprehensible and far be-
yond the authority Of the Chief Exec
utive
Ambassador had not only referred the
agreement to the Reich stag for its
action but that he had even consulted
both the local and national boards of
trade. Hence the President was
charged with being even more auto
cratic than the head of the German
empire. 1t was also declared that I'M
der the system OF valuations provided
for by the treaty great injustice would
be done to the United States.
Senators McLaurin, Teller and others
won their fight for an open session in
considering the message in spite of OBJ
lection of Senator Hepburn,
The discussion enabled Senator CAL
linger and one or two others to ex-
press themselves concerning the action
of an executive In calling for legisIa-
ton whenever the spirit moved him.
1t was finally decided to refer the
message to the committee on finance.
It is thought by some Senators that
resolution by Senator Gallinger
which was introduced early in the ses-
sion may have had 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-
luton produced about a week ago,
showed quite a reduction in the value
of German exports to this country
since the regulations were passed and
since the system of inspecting consiRn-
ments was discontinued by our con-
sular officers and agents.
After referring to the proposed
amendment to the treaty the president
in his message dated January 20. 1908
says:
II earnestly recommend to the Con-.
gress the enactment into law OF this
amendment at an early date. Besides
promoting harmonious relations be-
tween the contracting parties to- the
agreement in question, regard the
proposed legislation meritofious
measure for the Improvement of our
customs administrative act the pro-
visions of which are applicable to I'M
portations from all countries alike"