Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-17

CHICAGO, ILL.,, June 17.-Fourteen hours
were given by the credentials committee
of the republican national convention for
the presentation of contests, but no
change was made in the temporary roll
of delegates and alternates. Full approx
al was given OF the work of the ma
tional committee, which had devoted eight
days to the contests.
The sun was beginning its downward
course last evening when the members
of the committee, fresh and vigorous, be-
gan their session at 2:45 pm. yesterday.
When after a continuous session the la
bors of the committee were finished. at
AS am. today, the light in the east
was beginning to signal the suns return.
The committeeman looked decidedly diff
ferent than they did when they entered
upon their all-night meeting. Many of
the members had not left the room
throughout the fourteen hours session,
and they exhibited marked signs of ia
tigue. Mayor Charles A. Bookwalter of
Indianapolis, member of the credentials
committee from Indiana, as he left the
room this morning, voiced the protests
of men classed as anti-Taft members of
the committee, and announced that a mi
nority report would be made to the con-
ventiOn.
"Of the cases submitted by the allies"
said the mayor, those involving 40 seats
had merit. but they were railroaded out
of the hall without examination of the
evidence in their support by the commit
tee. The arguments were not listened to
at all and the Taft men adopted rules
which absolutely excluded members of
the committee from participating In the
debate"
The dissatisfaction which Mayor Book
walter felt with the procedure of the
committee manifested itself the moment
the meeting was called to order.
Senator Charles W. Fulton of Oregon,
having been elected chairman. stated that
1000 persons in the conveption awaited
the report of the credentials committee.
This was an argument In favor of limit
ing debate, or. In other words. in favor of
a plan to adopt the report of the national
committee without hearing any of the
contests. which provoked Mr.. BOOkWalter
to reply that there are ninety million
people who will have to wait until next
November"
Representative j. Sloat Fassett, the New
York member of the cOmmitte. had Ia
vored the scheme for blanket" approval
of the work of the national committee,
but in reply to Mr.: Bookwalter's COM
ment he said: We'll, l suppose We will
have to let the molasses rum"
Not molasses, but VitriOl,' retorted Mr..
Bookwalter. sharply.
The colloquy between these men Is an IL
lustration of the bitterness of feeling
which frequently was shown by both Taft
and anti-Taft adherents. The statement
was made by Mr.. Bookwalter that the mi
nority report would be signed by fully a
half dozen members Of the committee, and
that in all probability its adoption would
be advocated by Senator Gallinger and
himself.
When the committee met and organ
lied, Chairman Fulton was empowered to
APPOINT a committee to draft rules to gov
ern the procedure in hearing the contests.
This committee consisted of five men,
bers. Mr.. Fassett being the chairman A
recess was taken while the rules were
being drafted.
The subcommittee delayed so long in re-
porting that the anti-Taft members Of
the full committee conceived the idea that
gag rules" were being prepared. These
reports spread to the contesting delega-
lions which were waiting to be heard and
had the effect of arousing still more ILL
feeling. After an hours wait the report
of the subcommittee was submitted to.
the full committee and it was adopted
without division. 1t consisted practically
of the same rules that governed the ma
tional committee In considering the con-
tests.
Among other things it prohibited men,
bers of the committee from indulging in
debate, and in many other ways was de-
signed to economize time.
Taft Men Easily in Control.
With the preliminaries out of the way