The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-08-20
TAWNEY RAISES ROW
WINoNA coNGREssMAN's Eel
LOW MEMBERS RESENT
IMPLIED CHARGE.
THAT THEY PROMISED TO AID BILL
Them on Tariff Bill, They Say
First District Member Will Conn.,
bat Attempt to Discredit Him.

st. Paul-Minnesota's insurgent
congressman deny with emphasis and
repel with more or less indignation
the insinuation by their brother con-
gresham, James A. Towney, of the
First district, Winona, that they vot
ed against the tariff bill, not that lik-
ed the bill less, but that they liked
their jobs more.
From his summer vacation residence
at Osakis, near Alexandria, Congress
man Tawney has exploded bomb
shell in the camp of the insurgents
and the followers of Senator Clapp
by gently insinuating in telegram
to Eli Warner, president of the st.
Paul Commercial club, that it would
be well to inquire just who, among
the congressman who voted against
the tariff bill, pledged themselves to
vote for the measure in case their
votes were needed to pass it.
The insinuation is broad as it long,
and is clear intimation on the part
of James A. Tawney that he proposes
fighting and that he will fight hard.
By long distance telephone from
Osakis Mr.. Tawney stated that he
thought he had made himself clear
in his telegram to President Eli War
ner of the st. Paul Commercial club.
81 merely wanted the matter looked
up in all fairness" said Mr.. Tawney.
1.-The proposition is to discredit me by
honoring the insurgent congressman.
l think that it would be only fair to
see how many of the congressman
made such pledges that's ALL
81 must say that 1 am surprised
that Mr.: Tawney should make such an
.intimation," said Congressman Frank
Nye regarding the telegram sent to
Mr.. Warner Personally, 1 had not
seen the president for two months. l
made no promises and never thought
of making any. voted against the
bill upon its merits and not for the
sake of politics. I did what 1 believ-
ed was right.
eff any of the members voted with
any thought of changing their vote in
case of its being necessary, l didn't
know of it, and l don't believe there
were any such members"
Congressman Halvor STEVENSON Of
Crookston was especially emphatic in
his denunciation. Tell them it's all
false. Not word of truth in it so
far as I am concerned. That's all I
want to say. can't imagine what
Tawney means"
voIstead Says He Made No Promise.
Congressman Andrew ]. Volstead, of
Granite Falls, also gave vent to few
mild evpletives directed against his
Winona colleague. Il have no knowl
edge of anything of the kind" he said.
mo one but Congressman Stevens
saw President Taft before the vote. I
am not aware of any such promises on
his part; in fact, | am sure he made
none. The only man 1 talked to was
Serene Payne who attempted to Sc
cure my cooperation. l told him I
was sorry, but 1 could do nothing for
him."
Speaking for Senator Knute Nelson,
of Alexandria, who refused to come to
the telephone, Private Secretary
Hicks ventured the remark that it
would be like pulling stumps to get
anything out of Senator Nelson. 1.-THE
senator is seldom quoted" was the
laconic finale.
Congressman Clarence B. Miller, of
Duluth talked Ridiculous he said.
81 can't speak for the rest, but as for
myself-why it's ridiculous! l tell
YOU I never had any such under
standing, in fact never talked with the
president on the matter at all. 1 vot-
ed against the bill because I didn't
think it was yhat the people wanted"