The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-10
VIM. ALDEN SMITH
AND LODGE CLASH
IN SENATE
MICHIGAN MAN OPPOSES CANA
DIAN BOUNDARY WATERWAYS
LODGE SAYS SMITH DOES
NOT UNDERSTAND TREATY.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l0.-Senator
VIM. Alden Smith. of Michigan, and
Senator Lodge. of Massachusetts, en-
gagged in heated argument ON the
floor OF the senate yesterday after
noon. Senator Smith has opposed the
Canadian boundary waterways, hid
ing that IL does not sufficiently pro
tect the interests OF Michigan in the
waters of st. Mary's river. Senator
lodge had minated that Senator
Smith did not understand the provis
ions Of the treaty.
Lodge had the treaty In charge. He
asserted that the foreign relations
committee had considered the treaty
since il was before the senate several
days ago and had received from the
state department information which
he believed answered all Smith )
criticisms.
Smith did not agree with Lodge and
declared that further investigation b.
him Of the provisions OF the treaty
proved his contention that sovereign
rights OF the state OF Michigan were
usurped by the provisions OF the treaty
and given TO Canada.
In the course of a long speech he
asserted that the treaty had not been
prepared by former Secretary Root.
but that II was the work of Chanler
Anderson. New York lawyer. who
has been engaged by the state depart
ment on various occasions In cOnnec-
ton with treaties affecting the rela-
tions OF this country and Canada
Smith minated that Anderson was
too close TO the interests which con
uol power rights at Niagara Falls.
and declared that the whole treaty
vas prepared for the purpose OF quiet
ing the titles OF New York corpora
tons 10 those rights.
Smiths reference 10 Anderson and
Root displeased Lodge and he demand
ed 10 know where Smith had obtained
his information.
Smith said he had been told by An
derson himself that he had drafted the
convention. Lodge took Smith To task
for quoting a private conversation with
Il gentleman In his absence.
Very well" responded Smith; then
] Will attribute the speech to the SEN
ator from Massachusetts. who told me
the same thing"
Lodge asserted that Smith had mis-
understood utterly what he had said
10 him. and when Smith insisted that
he had not. the two senators ex-
changed some sharp comments on each
others understanding of n recent con-
yeIsation. Smith declared that he
would not handy epithets" with the
senator from Massachusetts. but that
Us long as he lived he would consider
that Lodge had acted unfairly in the
matter.
Turning directly To Lodge and de-
claiming in way that amused his
colleagues, Smith told the Massachu-
sets senator that he did not like his
looks. his scowl nor his irritating
manner. Other members enjoyed the
debate hugely.
Tillman interrupted with the remark
hat he hoped Massachusetts and Mich
gan would clinch, but he supposed
there were. too many centuries OF
culture in the Massachusetts member
t. permit OF anything SO common
place"
IF they would only get together
said Tillman, referring TO his encoun-
ter in the senate a few years ago
v it'll his then colleague, McI.aurin, Il
would detact from one chapter OF my
history which | should like To put be
hind me-"
After a long debate. members OF the
foreign relations committee suggested
that they be permitted to consider
again the Canadian treaty and to hear
such persons. including Senator Smith.
as desired To make statements against
it,
The treaty was not recommitted. but
consideration was postponed until next
Monday.