The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-15
HOUSE GIVES TAFT
RIGHT TOEXPLAIN

WASHINGTON. April 14.-If not in
compatible with the public interest,
President Taft will tell the house what
facts, if any, exist that would make
it ineXpedient for that body to enter
upon any investigation of frauds in
the customs service especially in con-
nection with the disclosure of sugar
frauds.
The resolution introduced by Rep
resentative Fitzgerald of New York,
cal ing for this information was pass
ed by the house today after an ex-
tended debate.
The question whether the passage of
such a resolution would embarras the
administration in continuing it's prose-
cution of the so-called sugar trust
was given consideration. In view of
the recent conference between the
president and Representative Hill of
Connecticut on this subject, it is be-
lieved that the information called for
will not be given and that the declin-
alton will be based on the discretion
reposed in the president by the reso-
luton which finally was adopted.
The debate was politica, largely,
and the names Of Henry w. Taft, bro
Their OF the president, and John E.
Parsons, father of Representative Her
bert Parsons, figured as counsel for
the sugar trust.
Mr. Hill of Connecticut introduced a
substitute resolution calling on the
president to state what reasons" in
stead facts" made a congressional in
vestigation inexpedient.
I1;k
substitute was intended to give him
substantially what he wanted. A
long controversy ensued, Mr.. Fitz-
gera opposing the view that his
resolution would embarrass the presi-
dent and declaring under it's terms
Mr.. Taft would not give informa-
ton that would affect any contem-
plated prosecutions.
IF / were an attorney for the "sug-
ar trust" 1 would want this reso-
luton adopted" Mr.. Payne of New
York said.
Little Tilt Ensues
Brushing aside what ne declared was
an unwarranted insinuation by his
colleague, Mr.. Fitzgerald, was pro-
ceeding to discuss the resolution when
Mr.. Payne interrupted to say he lex
onerated him.
Il don't need the exoneration of
the gentleman from New York" Mr.
Fitzgerald said and continuing, said:
"a number of petty officials have been
ferreted out but there has been no
attempt to prosecute the rich and veal
thy who have been gui ty partici-
pants in these frauds"
rs it not true the directors of the
American Sugar Refining company are
under indictment at the present time?"
Mr.. Hill inquired.
mot in connection with these sug-
ar Frauds" Mr. Fitzgerald retorted,
''but only in connection with a con-
troversy to destroy a competitor in
Philadelphia"
Charge Goes Home
Mr.. Hill of Connecticut, continued
Mr.. Fitzgerald, had conferred with
the president before he patched up
the resolution" before the house. Mr..
Rainey of Illinois speaking at length
said the attorney general had been
a sugar trust attorney; that the bro
Their of the president still was a sugar
trust attorney and that J. E Parsons,
of the sugar trust, was under indict-
ment and had pleaded the statute of
imitation.
you allude to John E. Parsons, who,
l am proud to say, is my father" Mr..
Parsons said. He did not plead the
statute of limitations. If he has COM
mitted any crime he will take the con-
sequences like man."
Mr. Parsons said H. w. Taft was