The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-29
Senator Aldrich DenOunces the
Efforts of Germany
To Influence Tariff Legislation
in the United States.
A REPORT ON WAGES
Under Seal of Kaiser's Govern
ment Is Sent Over.
Insurgent Senators Want to See
1t i'm Print.

washington, May Ex-senator Aid
| rich denounced as ''impertinent" the
| efforts of the German government to
influence American tariff legislation by
supplying anonymous information as
| to wages paid German workmen His
characterization followed a statement
| by Senator Depew intimating that Ger
man manufacturers were striving to
innuence congress through the German
government and American importers of
German goods.
The reply Of the president to a SEN
ate resolution, calling for a statement
| OF the German government as to wages
In Germany proved the signal for this
animated discussion as soon as the
senate assembled today. The president
stated in his message that the docu-
ment in question had been sent to the
finance committee on April Is.
Senator Nelson, going to the desk of
the vice president, took the presidents
brief message and as he held it in his
hand asked that the statement re-
ferred to be printed as a senate docu-
ment.
'I am surprised" said Mr.. Nelson,
that the finance committee has with
held that report
Il have made some investigation as
to the character of that report" re-
piled Mr.. Aldrich, land I find that it
consists of statements by certain
boards of trade of Germany transmit
ting anonymous testimony Of mem
bers in answer to statements made be-
fore a. committee of congress. 1 am
quite willing that this document should
be printed"
Mr.. Aldrich said that the statement
had been sent back to the state depart
ment, but that it would be returned.
He said it had been treated as con-
fidential as had all others Of like char
acter Mr.. Depew spoke of the i'm
of 10 hrrS
gress and asserted that it was purely
an American question.
Foreigners Butting In.
Yet he said, I'VE find that foreign
governments are entering the senate
chamber for the obstruction of legis-
lation for which the president has call
ed an extra session."
Stating that an international ques-
ton was involved Mr.. Depew said the
publication Of the confidential docu-
ment would be as serious a matter as
ever had arisen between the United
States and a foreign government. Con-
tinuing, the New York senator said:
81 am told that Prince Won Buelow
has sent to this government an anony-
nous statement, so in detail that 1t
has gone even to the question of raz-
ors. Then 1 am told that it has been
put by the German government into
the hands of importers and they have
put it into the hands of senators with
free trade tendencies. The question is
one which arises far above that of po-
litical party as the information was
sent to the state department under
the seal of the German government"
Mr.. LaFollette declaring that the sem
ate was. entitled to such information,
said he had been informed that the
fact that the report had not been given
to the senate for its consideration had
been the subject of criticism and of
some feeling on the part of the Ger
man government as it contained in
formation in response to a request of
this government.
Mr.. LaFollette declared that as receiv-
ed the statement concerning wages in
Germany had been signed by the Ger
man manufacturers supplying it. but
that the signatures had been erased.
Mr.. Aldrich then explained that the
statement had been transmitted by the
German government on the condition
that it should not be printed and such
testimony was, he said. worthless from
his point of view. The purpose of the
president and state department in
transmitting this German statement to
the committee on finance was the SUBJ
ject of various comment as was the
method by which it reached the COM
mittee on finance.
Information Was Asked For.
Mr. Aldrich stated that the American
ambassador at Berlin had requested
information, but he explained he could
not have asked for replies to testimony
given before the ways and means COM
mittee.
Nothing on the record" he said,
"shows what the ambassador asked
for. If I am not saying something
harsh 1 would say the attempt on the
part of any government or of a man
ufacturer of any government to in
fiuence legislation of congress in this
way, is to say the least, impertinent."
Mr.. TiIlman expressed the fear that
the comments on the German gov
ernment might not be graciously re-
ceived by that government. Mr.. Car
ter was commenting on the propriety
of printing communications of foreign
governments, when a message arrived
from the president. The business of
the senate was suspended to receive
the message and it turned out to be