New-York tribune., 1908-12-20
TASK STAGGERS SENATE
REBUKING OF PRESIDENT
H4ZARDOUS.
Leading Senators Not Willing to
Undertake York = Country
Supporting Mr. Roosevelt.
lFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington Dec 19-That rebukng the
President, or even conducting an investigation
Of that portion of the administration devoted to
the prosecution OF violations OF the federal
statutes is a particularly hazardous undertake
ing and one which few legislators care to
undertake, is becoming daily more obvious to
the Senate leaders. 1t is appreciated that un-
less the intended investigation is conducted by
men of character it will be without force or ef-
feet, while experience is daily demonstrating
that practically such Senator is anxious 10
undertake the work. Correspondence is coming
to Senators in large volume, the tenor of which
adds emphasis to the dangerous character or
the proposed action.
Senator Hale maintains that as chairman Of
the Committee Naval Affairs and acting
chairman of the Committee Appropriations.
he is too heavily burdened to assume the chair
manship Of the subcommittee to which he would
delegate the proposed investigation. Senator
CulIom is hardly strong enough TO do much
extra work, and he is now in charge OF the
subcommittee which is considering and must
report the legislative executive and judicial
appropriation bill. Senator Gallinger has
fight for reelection on his hands, and has al
ready left here for his state to rally his Poiti-
cal forces. This leaves, among the Republican
members of the Committee Appropriations,
only Senators Perkins, Eltins, Warren and
Hemenway. 1t seems probable that Messrs.
Warren and Hemenway will be drafted, but
Messrs. Perkins and EIkins not regarded as
especially suitable material for an investigation
committee: Mr. HemenWay is nearing the end
of his term. and the Indiana Legislature will
be Democratic, he has no political life to risk.
but Mr.. Warren is regarded by many as too
friendly to the administration to bring in the
sort of report they would like. Altogether, the
situation is the occasion Of perplexity and
anxiety to the Senate leaders.
There seems to be little doubt that Senator
Teller, as ranking Democrat, will be chosen, and
it is possible that Senator Tillman, the next
ranking member, will be the other Democrat but
some of the Republicans object to serving with
Mr. TilIman because of his eccentricities Of
method and speech. Most of the members of the
Senate would be entirely satisfied to intrust to
Mr. Teller the conduct Of the entire investiga-
ton, but. of course party pride would make that
impossible
That the country is not in sympathy with the
attitude of Congress toward the Presidents
message is evident from the letters Senators
receiving. For instance. one Senator received
to-day letter which read in part:
Nothing could help honest Senator more
than now to demonstrate his integrity in pro-
tecting popular rights and public property by
standing by the President. No explanation will
serve excuse for any attack upon that
great and sincere cham son Of the people Any
thing else they will count as secret hostility to
their interests
Another Senator has received a letter from a
constituent. which is, in part, as follows:
Il can assure you that am by no means the
only one of your constituents in this state who
will resent indignitv which only be-
little the standing of the Senate any official
criticism concerning rebuke so justly deserved
and so fearlessy expressed"
Many hundreds Of similar communications
are reaching Senators every day and one peOm-
inent leader said. sadly. this afternoon. that If
this kind OF popular shower kept up there
would be nobody, left on Appropriations except
Jim Hemenway and Steve Ekns who will
dare undertake the investigation"