Evening star., 1909-06-03
CHARGE OF IMPERTINENCE
NOT AIMED AT THE KAISER
Missourian Resents Personality In.
dulged in by Rhode Islander.
HoTLY CRITICIsEs COLLEAGUE
"Utterances Impolitic If Not I'm
polite''-Considers Defense In
adequate, But Thinks Eulogy
Will Sugar-Coat Pill.

Senator Aldrich's recent characteriza-
tion of the course of any government
which might send to this country an
anonymous statement concerning prices in
the foreign country with a view to in
fuencing legislation was made the sub
ject of an acrimonious colloquy in the
Senate today between Mr.. Aldrich and
Senator Stone.
The previous remark of Mr.. Aldrich was
based upon the fact that in response to
request from our own State Department
the German authorities had forwarded to
this government statements of manufac-
lures concerning the rate of wages in
Germany, with request that the names
of the manufacturers be not used.
.'Impolitic, if Not Impolite."
Senator Stone brought UP the question
soon after the Senate convened by reading
stated that the German government had
taken offense at Mr.. Aldrich's language,
because of the important position he oc
cupies in his party and in Congress.
Reading from Mr.. Aldrich's original re-
marks. Mr.. Stone said:
when the senator from Rhode Island
made that somewhat petulant and ex-
nraordinary declaration. every one here
took notice. think every one regarded
hig utterance as impolitic. II not impolite."
,ivr 70 ant fhA inc
DIR. Stone said he was not surprised that
the German government and the German
people had taken notice Of this utterance
and felt offended by it.
Aldrich Defends Himself.
Mr.. Aldrich, who had listened attentive
" TO the words Of the Missouri senator,
arose and said:
Il made no charge against the Ger
man government. / was talking about
German manufacturers whose names were
kept from us and who furnished informa-
tion with the express understanding that
1t was not to be used in the enforcement
of our custom laws.
THE senator may consider that infor-
nation of value. / do not.
There is no question about the German
government involved here at all. The
German government forwarded these
statements with the distinct understand
ing that they were not to be used to raise
tie invoice value of goods imported into
the United States contrary to our laws.
Il repeat that any attempt on the part
OF any government TO influence legisla-
ton on the tariff matter is impertinent
did not say the German government
made such an attempt, but if any gov
eranent made such an attempt 1t would
be impertinent."
Record Pulled on Aldrich.
Mr.. Stone. insisting that the senator
from Rhode Island had referred to the
German government as impertinent. again
read the statement made by Mr.. Aldrich
as it appeared in the Record.
Il was not discussing the German gov
eminent In that regard, but was referring
TO various statements before the commit
tee" said Mr.. Aldrich. He added with
energy: The senator Is mistaken"
Il am not mistaken insisted Mr. Stone
Continuing his remarks, Mr.. Stone con-
tended that Mr.. Aldrich's utterance must
necessarily have had reference to the
course of the German government, as he
was not discussing anything else.
Again taking the floor. Mr.. Aldrich de-
clared with a considerable show of i'm
patience that there could be no question
about his position
Il said. l repeat" ne went on. that any
attempt by any government or by any
body TO influence by anonymous com
munications the legislation Of this gov
ernment is impertinent. l said that, and
/ repeat it with all the emphasis at my
command"
Aldrich Reiterates Denial.
That statement, bearing upon the Ger.
man report as ii did, was made neces-
sarily with reference to that report, the
document which the German governmen,
had furnished" said Mr.. Stone.
Il said nothing of the kind" hoty re
torted the Rhode Island senator. Il wa.
discussing the general proposition of an,
effort TO influence our tariff legislation
Continuing. he said he did believe tha
the course Of the German manufacturer.
had been pursued with a view of affect
ing American legislation.
Mr.. Stone interpreted these remarks o
Mr.. Aldrich as withdrawal and dis
avowal OF his former characterization
Mr.. AldriCh. again taking the floor. de
ciaIed that there had been nothing in h.
previous language which could, by any
reasonable construction, be made 10 lool
like affront to the German govern
neut.
That" he said lis ridiculous d.
not see how il could find lod=ment i'm tn.
mind OF any one, unless II IS that OF IN,
senator from Missouri.
MIR. Stone admitted that he had game
the impression that the chairman of tn
committee en- finance had given delib
crate affront 10 friendly power ii,
said the spatcn from Berlin indicated
that such a construction had been gival
10 1t by the German officials.
Aldrich Reviews Incident
Replying. Mr.. Aldrich rehearsed the en-
tire inc dent at some length. and incident
ally SAID he had been At loss To account
for Mr. Stones interest in the matter
unless he appeared a representative -
the German government.
This intimaticn made Mr.. Stone mad
His face flushed and there was far more
GoEtinued On Second Paae)