The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-05-30
DENOUNCED AS
IMPAIRMENT
BY Mr.. ALDRICH
This Government Asked Ger
many for Information and
Report Was Suppressed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
TRICKS THE SENATE
GERMANS ACCUSED OF AT
TEMPTING TO INFLUENCE
CONGRESS BY DEPEW.

Washington. May Ex-senator Aid
rich denounced as "impertinent" the
alleged efforts of the German govern
ment to influence American tariff
legislation by supplying information as
to wages paid German workmen. His
Characterization followed a statement
by Senator Depew ntimating that Ger
man manufacturers were striving to In
nuence congress through the German
government and American importers of
German goods.
The reply of the president to a re-
quest of the senate calling for state
ment 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 document in question had
been sent to the finance committee on
April 13.
Senator Nelson, going to the desk of
the vice president, took the PRESIDENT
brief message and as he held it in his
hand asked that the statement referred
to be printed as a senate document.
Mr.. Nelson Surprised.
Il am surprised" said Mr.. Nelson,
that the finance committee has with
held that report"
Il have made some investigation as
10 the character of that report re
piled Mr.. Aldrich. "and l find that II
cons SITS of statements by certain
boards of trade in Germany transmit
ting anonymous testimony of manufac-
turers in answer to statements made
before a committee of congress. / am
willing that this document should be
printed"
Mr.. Depew spoke of the Importance
Of eSe business before congress and
asserted that it was purely an Amer
lean question. Yet" he said, we
find that foreign governments are en-
tering the senate chamber for the OBJ
struction of legislation for which the
president has called an extra session"
Sent Under Seal.
Continuing the New York senator
said:
Il am told that Prince Won Buelow
has sent to his government an anony-
nous statement, 50 in detail that II
! has gene even into the question or "a
zors. 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
arises far above that of political party
as the information was sent to the state
| department under the seal or the Ger
man government"
Mr. LaFollette, declaring that the
! senate was entitled to such informa-
/ ton, 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
! some feeling on the part of the Ger
man government, as it contained infOr-
nation in response to a request of this
| governrnent. Mr.. LaFollette declared
! that as received the statement concern
| ing wages in German had been signed
] by the German manufacturers supply
/ ing it. but that the signatures had been
| erased.
Explanation of Aldrieh.
! Mr. Aldrich then explained that the
statement had been transmitted by the
| German government on the condition
/ that 1t should not be printed and such
| testimony was. he said. worthless from
| his point of view.
Mr. AldTich stated that the American
| ambassador at Berlin had requested in
| formation, 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 American am
/ bassador asks for. If 1 am not say
! ing something harsh 1 would say the
/ attempt on the part of any govern
ment or OF a manufacturer Of any gov
! eminent TO influence legislation or con-
gre~s in this way is, to say the least,
| impertinent."
Further discussion with reference to
this report" said Mr.. Carter, relin-
gushing the floor and smiling. may
well me postponed until the document
l itself Is printed"
The presidents massage was referred
/ to the committee on finance. Mr.. AID
rich remarking that he would have the
German report translated at once and
/ printed.