The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-21
Senator Tries to Find Out Why Secretary WithhOIds De-
 sired Information
LETTER FROM (ORTELYOU
 SAYS ANSWER IS COMING
Senator AIdrich Makes Excuses For the Secretary In Reference to the Panama Bond Sale, While MT.
 TilIman Asks Questions.

Washington. January 2O-Just before the Senate adjourned today, Senator Al- drich received a letter from Secretary Cortelyou explaining the delay in replying to the resolution calling on him for infor- nation concerning the recent Panama canal bond issue, and the letter was laid before the Senate. Earlier in the day Senator Tillman indulged in caustic com ment upon what he characterized as the secretary's apparent "disobedience" to a Senate resolution.
 In his letter to Senator Aldrich, MT. Cortelyou says:
 'I am sorry that there should have been any misunderstanding as to the time when my answer to the Senate resolu- ton regarding the treasury operations would be sent in. Had I been advised of your request to know when it might be expected, I would have replied that I re- quired little more time to go over the mass of figures it involved. It Is my de- sire, of course, that all business of this kind shall be disposed of promptly, but this matter is so important that l have felt 1t desirable that every feature of the report should be clearly stated. both for the information of the Senate and in jus tice to the department. It is my desire and intention to submit complete re- sponse to the resolution, and hope to have it ready In the course of the next few days-in all probability about the be- ginning of next week"
 The Senate devoted over two hours to considering the bill revising the criminal laws of the United States, and at 4:15 p. m. adjourned.
 Tilman Starts Something.
 An animated debate occurred in the Sen ate, in which MT. Tillman made many comments upon what he termed the fail ure of the Secretary of the Treasury to obey the resolution of the Senate call ing for information concerning the recent issue of Panama canal bonds. MT. AL drich, upon entering the chamber, ex- plained that the delay in the secretary's response to the resolution had resulted from the necessity of making full state- ment of all the reasons that had influ-
 
 taken more time than had been antici- pated. He assured the Senator that the information would be forthcoming, and spoke in high terms of the Secretary of the Treasury.
 MT. Tillman opened this question by in- quiring whether the Vice President had received a reply to the resolution from the Sacretary of the TreaSurv
 Nothing yet responded Vice President Fairbanks.
 It's little curious that an officer of the government should be willing to oc- cupy the attitude of disobedience after we have given him considerable time to send an answer to the resolution said MT. Tillman. "The currency bill," he added,
 lis to be brought in and pressed for con- sideration, and it seems strange that the Secretary of the Treasury, who is directly responsible for our financial affairs, should refuse to send in a report giving the information we need.' Senator Platt of New York suggested that the chairman of the committee could answer the Senator from South Caro- lima.
 Aldrich Arrives.
 Mr. Tillman hoped that someone would | ator Alddich came into the chamber. We are told' continued MT. Tillman, that Secretary Cortelyou is i'll, but he was not too Ill to go to New York to make a speech. It seems extraordinary phe- nomenal, that we cannot get report from him.
 MT. Aldrich stated that he had been given the information that the report would be in the Senate last Wednesday by Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Edwards. The fact is the papers were in form to be presented, but the Secretary found, in order to make the presentation in the Senate, it would require longer time than was supposed.
 "The criticism in the Senate as to that action,'' continued Mr. Aldrich, Fled the Secretary to make a frank and explicit answer to all suggestions as to what was done with the bonds and certificates of indebtedness. The Secretary assured mo this morning that he is preparing this matter as rapidly as possible"
 "Is no definite time fxed?" asked MT. Tillman. "As soon as possible means be- tween now and doomsday."
 MT Aldrich answered that the Secre- tary had written him letter which at that moment was on it's way and that 1t would more fully explain the condition. Those of us who know MT. CortelyaAA' said Mr. Aldrch ''know that he is never delinquent in his public duties and thfnk if the senator from South Carolina would find an opportunity to talk this matter over with him he would be satisfied"
 TiIlman Insistent.
 Tt did not take that long to issue the bonds," insisted MT. Tillman. That was simple matter" retorted Mr Aldrich. 'The senator from South Carolina does not realize that he can put down on paper inquiries that will take many months and much work on the part of the force of great department to answer It is much easier to ask ques- tions than to answer them" "The senator will realze,' interrupted CONTINUED ON PAGE D