Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-16
BURKETT RASPS
SENATE LEADER
Man From Nebraska Makes Attack on
Aldrich and Finance
Committee.
PLAYING PETTY PoLITIC. 7
Philippine Tobacco Schedule Cause OF
Bitter Feeling.
ALDRICH MAKES TART REPLY
Borah of Idaho Declares for 1nde-
pendenoe of Filipinos.
OPPOSES COLONIAL POLICY
Man From Far West says He May
Philippine Tobacco Schedule Cause Of
Bitter Feeling.
ALDRICH MAKES TART REPLY
Borah of Idaho Declares for indie
pendenoe Of Filipinos.
OPPOSES COLONIAL POLICY
Man From Far West Says He May
Have TO Break on That Ones
ton with Party and Presi-
dent Taft.

WASHINGTON, u. c., June 15.-lndulg-
ing in a vigorous denunciation Of the com
mittee on finance because Of its change
OF front over night on the subject Of to-
Hacco importations from the Philippine Is
lands Senator Burkett of Nebraska, stand
ing face TO face with Chairman Aldrich'
today declared that It's action looked to
him like a game of petty politics. lie
characterized this action as IAN effort TO
hang the senator from Wisconsin up IN
the air." and finally declared that this
event 'afforded senators good opportu-
nifty to vote a lack Of confidence in the
committee"
This tart language followed Mr.. Aldrichs
statement that the committee would ac-
cept the amendment proposed by Senator
Bulkeley to reduce the number of cigars
TO be admitted free OF duty from the Phil
ippines from 10000, 600 to 10 900 900, and the
quantity of filler tobacco from 100000 to
900 900 pounds, together with provision
that the wrapper and filler tobacco should
be unstemmed when receiving this conces-
sion.
AS snon as the committee had brought In
it's amendment Senator La Toilette took
the floor. Expressing qualification that the
finance COMMITTEE had reduced the number
OF free cigars to the extent of 100000 less
than was called for by his amendment, Mr..
La Toilette said he was encouraged to
change his amendment so as to provide for
the admission Of only CO. 900 and he did
so.
BurlIett scovea AIdrich.
II wos then that Mr.. Burkett took the
floor Roundly denouncing the finance com
mittoe. he declared that it's action in max
ing changes in the Philippine amendment
was sufficient to cause senators to lose
confidence in 1t. The original amendment,
he said. had been brought into the senate
as approved by the president, but in face
of that fact the committee had brought
in its recommendation for a reduction to
70000000 in accordance with Mr.. Bulkeleys
request He pointed out that the number
was 5000 600 below the reduction called for
by the La Toilette amendment and In this
circumstance found cause for complaint
This" he said, rs matter too tmpor-
tant 10 juggle with, and 1t looks TO me
like game of petty politics"
There is no mystery about it," protested
Mr. Aldrich, "and no politics except de-
sire on the part Of the committee to do the
right thing and above everything else, to
pass this bill"
1T was also another effort to hang the
senator from Wisconsin up in the air some
where" suggested Mr.. Burkett-
mo disposition of that kind" promptly
responded the chairman OF the finance
committee.
TT would not be possible for the commit
tee to do that" said the Wisconsin senator.
Senators Dick, Gallinger and Depew de-
Tended the committee.
Burkett,s DenunctatiOn An Honor.
Mr.. AIdrich, replying calmly, declared
that there were men whose denunciation
the committees action involved no mys-
terry or petty politics, but that II proposed
In the future to change a schedule when
convinced that a mistake had been made
as II had done in the past He expressed
the opinion that the actual importations
from the Philippines would not equal the
number named in the amendment the COM
mittee had accepted, and said that what
It had done was to encourage people who
had been brought under the American flag.
Encouraged by the committees action,
Senator La Toilette proposed another
amendment to reduce the free importation
OF cigars to 100000 annually, but this
was defeated 3S to "a. The republi-
cans voting in favor of the amend !
ment were Borah, Bristow, Brown, Bur
kett, Clapp Cummins, Dollver and La
Toilette.
An interesting feature of the days dis
cussion was a declaration by Senator
Borah that he proposed to cast his vote
for loosenlng the bond which tied the Phil
ippines to the United states. He declared
himself in favor of giving the Philippines
an independent government, and said that
in that respect his convictions would force
him to differ from his party and perhaps
from the president of the United States,
as he did not believe colonial policy to
be consistent with the constitution of the
United states.
Borah FavOrs Independence.
when l speak that sentiment" contin-
ued Nj. borah, Il am aware that eX-
press view contrary to that Of the presi-
aent, for whose opinion and services TO
that great people / have a profound re-
sard Nevertheless, l have a conviction
tnat the federal duty OF the people of the
United states Is to prepare this people for
supporting an Independent government"
senator owen delivered a lengthy speech |
in criticism OF the entire tariff bill as form
ulated by the majority of the senate,
The Philippine island amendment to the
tariff bin was technically under consid- |
Grafton until o'clock, when it was tenn
porarily laid aside, and Mr.. Aldrch took
advantage Of the opportunity to present
the finance eommittee's amendment to the
silk schedule
Mr.. Aidrich also submitted amendments
TO the window glass schedule, reducing
the rates even below those provided in the
house bill and elected a strong protest
from senator scott who expressed the
opinion that the change would be ruinous
TO the glass producing industry.
lie also presented amendments reducing
the rates ON osier and willow for basket
making. changing the rates upon cleo
trodes brushes. etc. and restoring the
house rate on barytes In response to the
request of Senator Scott action on the win
dow glass schedule was postponed untn to-
morrow. but the other recommendations OF