The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-01-23
PRESIDENT MOVED
WITHOUT H|SPOWER
CLAIMS THE SENATE
Branded an AutoCrat by the
Upper House Statesmen
When He Sent Message on
The German Question.
HIS CALL FOR LEGISLA-
TON Is THE CAUSE.
Acts Declared to Be More Ar
bitrary than Kaiser Wilhelm
Action Is Demanded by
The Chief Executive.

Washington, Jan. 23-President
Roosevelt yesterday transmitted to the
senate and the house copies of the tar.
if regulations negotiated some time
ago between the United States and
Germany, together with proposed
amendment to the customs administra-
tive act putting the same in force as a
statute.
The presidents message exploded a
bomb in the senate. The senators
pointed out that Roosevelt has ex-
ceeded his authority and branded him
far more autocratic than the German
Emperor.
The remarks were not addressed to
the message so much as to the policy
of considering it in executive session
as we'll as the policy of the president
in connection with the agreement.
His course, not only in negotiating
that instrument, but in proclaiming it
to the world. as he did last July, was
sharply criticised. 1t was declared
that the agreement makes changes
which are equivalent to legislation. af-
fecting the tariff must. under the con-
stitution, originate in the house of rep
resentatives
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
ton 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 it out as
complete performance without refer
ring it to the senate for action.
Exceeds His Authority.
This the senators seemed to consider
as. especially reprehensIble and far be-
yond the authority of the chief execu-
tive. 1t was pointed out that the kai-
ser had not only referred the agree
ment to the Reichstag for it's action
but that he had even consulted both
the local and national boards of trade
Hence, the president was charged with
being even more autorcratic than the
head of the German Empire. 1t was
also declared that under the system of
valuations provided for by the treaty.
great injustice would be done to the
United States.
Senator Hepburn made strenuous
objection when the question was raised
that the message was a subject for con-
sideration in the open senate instead of
behind closed doors. Senators McLau-
rim. Teller and others called for open
session and their plea finally won, but
not before Senator Gallinger and one
or two others had delivered their senti-
ments concerning the action of an ex-
ecutive in calling for legislation when
ever the spirit moved him.
It was finally decided to refer the
message to the committee on finance.
If a bill is to be forthcoming it will be
from that committee. II is thought
by some senators that a. resolution by
Senator Gallinger, which was introduce
ed early in the season, may have had
to do with the appearance
of the message and a request for legis-
lation in the German-American mat
ter at this time. The figures which
the Gallinger resolution produced
about week ago, showed quite a re-
duction in the value of German ex-
ports to this country since the regula.
lions were passed and since the system