Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-04
HOT PASSAGE OF
WORDS BETWEEN
TWO SENATORS
Some Says Aldrich Was Impolite
If Not Impudent in Criticising
the German Government Re-
Gently in Tariff Debate.
WHEREUPoN ALDRICH
SAYS HE DID NOT
DO AS STONE CHARGES

ment concerning prices in the foreign
country with a view to influencing legis-
lation was made the subject Of an acri-
monious coIloquy in the senate today, be-
tween Mr. Aldrich and Senator Stone. The
previous remark OF Mr.. Aldrich was based
upon the fact that in response to a re-
quest from our own state department, the
German authorities had forwarded TO this
government statements OF manufacturers
concerning the rate OF wages in Germa-
ny, with a request that the names OF the
manufacturers be not used.
'TMPoLITIC IF NOT INPoLITE."
Senator Stone brought up the question
soon after the senate convened. by read
ing a cablegram from Berlin in which
II was stated that the German govern
ment had taken orense at Mr.. Aldrich's
language. because Of the important posi-
ton he occupies in his party and in con-
Eresss Reading from Mr.. Aldrich's origi-
nal remarks. Mr.. Stone said:
when the senator from Rhode Island
made that somewhat petulent and extra
ordinary declaration everyone here took
notice and / think everyone regarded
HIS utterance as impolitic IL not impOlite."
Continuing 20 comment on the incident,
Mr. Stone said that he was not surprised
that the German government and the
German people had taken notice Of this
utterance and felt offended BIZ it.
ALDRICH DENIES UTTERANCE.
Mr.. AIdrich. who had listened atten-
lively TO the words OF the Missouri sena-
tor. arose and said:
Il made no charge against the Ger
man government I was talking about
German manufacturers, whose names
were kept from us and who furnished
information with the express undr-
staining that IL was not to be used
in the enforcement Of our customs
laws The senator may consider that
information OF value-I do not. There
is no question about the German gov
eminent involved here at ALL The
German government forwarded these
statements with the distinct under
standing that IL was not to be used TO
raise the invoice value OF goods i'm
ported into the United States contrary
D. our laws. I repeat that any attempt
N the part OF any government to in
auence legislation on the tariff matter
8 impairment I did not say the
-empt. but IL any government made
such an attempt II would be imper-
tinent"
STONE QUOTES RECORD.
Mr.. Stone, insisting that the senator
from Rhode Island had referred to the
German government as impertinent,
again read the statement by Mr.. Al
drich as IL appeared in the record.
Il was not discussing the German
government in that regard, but was
referring TO various statements be-
fore the committee" said Mr. Aldrich,
who added with energy: The senator
is mistaken"
Il am not mistaken" insisted Mr..
Stone.
Mr.. Stone contended that Mr. AIdrich's
utterance must necessarily have had
reference 20 the course of the German
government. as he was not discussing
anything else.
BOTH SENATORS RED HOT.
Mr.. Aldrich declared with a consider
able show OF impotence that there could
be no question about his position 'T
said. I repeat he went on, that any
attempt by any government or by any
body TO influence by anonymous COM
municatons the Legislation Of this gov
eminent. is impertinent. I said that and
repeat IL with all the emphasis at my
command"
That statement, bearing upon the
German report as II did, was necessa-
Z.
the document which the German gov
eminent had furnished" said Mr.. Stone.
Il said nothing Of the kind" holly
retorted the Rhode Island senator. II
was discussing the general proposition
, OF any effort to influence our tariff leg
isIation-'
Continuing. he said that he did be-
.leve that the German manufacturers
had been pursued with a view OF az
stone Interpreted these remarks OF Mr..
Aldrich as a withdrawal and a dis
avowal Of his former characterization
and Mr.. AIdrich. again taking the floor.
declared that there had been nothing
in his previous language which could.
by any reasonable construction, be made
10 look nike an affrOnt to the German
government. That" he said. lis ride
ulous and I do not see how ii could
find Judgment IN the mind Of anyone un-
less II Is that Of the senator from
Missouri"
Mr. stone admitted that he had gain
ed the impression that the chairman
of the committee on finance had given
a deliberate affront 20 a friendly power.
and he said that the dispatch from
Berlin indicated that such a construc-
ton had been given 10 IL by the German
officials
WORSE THAN IMPERTINENCE.
Replying. Mr.. Aldrich rehearsed the en-
tire incident at some length and incident
ally said that he had been at loss 10
account for Mr.. Stones intention in the
matter, unless he appeared as a repre-
sentative OF the German government
This intimstion made Mr.. Stone angry.
HIS face flushed and there was far more
than the usual animation in his reply.
His manner was tense. his language terse.
THAT statement" he said. with delibera-
ton. lis an impertinence." And appar-
emily feeling that his characterization had
not been strong enough. he added: Yes
Il Is worse than an impertinence."
This remark had been interjected in Mr.
Aldrich's speech. and apparently without
losing his temper he proceeded with his
recital OF the details OF the whole transac-
ton. concluding with a statement which
had reference 10 the Missouri senator.
Now" he said, he may explain why