The Washington herald., 1910-02-18

udyg ana ne anu VICE IIcSlucAt biiSl man
appear 10 be in direct conflict over the
craftsmanship of the Senate committee
that will investigate the increase in the
prices OF commodities.
The West Virginian last night declared
that he not being named to head the
committee was the result of a plan be-
cause some of the Senate leaders believed
that to give Senator Lodge the chairman
ship would aid him in his race for re-
election TO the Senate. As a consequence
he expressed his displeasure in an inter-
view
Says EIkins Refused.
Vice President Sherman also gave out
an interview on the subject, diametric-
ally opposed to Senator Elkins' state
ments. The Vice President declares that
Senator Elkins refused the chairmanship
Of the committee, and also declined to
serve as a member.
The members OF the committee named
by the Vice President are as follows:
Senator Lodge, chairman; and Senators
Gallinger. Smoot. McCumber, and Craw-
ford. Republicans. and Clark and Sim
mons, Democrats.
AS TO the appointment of the commit
tee, the Vice President said, as follows;
After the resolution was adopted.
which, of course was Senator Elkins'
resolution. the Senator came to me and
asked that 1 should not appoint him as
chairman OF the committee OF course,
the custom is, under ordinary circum-
stances. that the introducer Of a resolu-
tion providing for a committee be made
its chairman.
After the Senator expressed himself
as unwilling TO assume the craftsmanship
Of the committee, because his other Sem
atorial duties would not permit him TO do
justice TO this committees work and TO
them, I asked him if he would not serve
merely as a member of the committee,
and even this he felt that he should not
do and at the same time properly per-
form his other pressing Senatorial duties.
and so I reluctantly eliminated him from
consideration"
Elkins Expresses DispIeaBure.
Senator Elkins frankly expressed his
displeasure with the turn the proposed
Senator Aldrich had explained to him
that there was no plan TO sidetrick Mr
Blkins by denying him the Craftsmanship,
and that Vice President Sherman had
declared up 10 the last minute that SEN
ator EIkins would be appointed If he in
sisted. But Senator Lodge. he explained.
desired the place
Some Of the Senate leaders thought il
would help Lodge in his race for re-elec-
tion to the Senate" said Mr. Elkins.
Besides, the matter was delayed so long
that 1t made II impossible for me to serve
as chairman. Probably it was a plan TO
eliminate me- But they say not At any
rate, I declined to act as a member Of
the committee. The time has now gone
by when could give the necessary time
TO the matter. I am too much occupied
with the interstate commerce bill A
month ago when introduced my resOlu-
tion could have served as chairman" 4"
Senator Elkins privately expressed the
opinion that the proposed Investigation
would be a disappointment 20 the coun-
try II fear the country will regard it as
a whitewash Of the tariff law" said he.
SmOOthed Him Down,
Senator ElSins had decided TO make a
statement on the floor of the Senate
When he heard that his name was to ap-
pear in the list as a member, but not
as chairman. he told Senator AIdrich
that he would rise in the Senate. decline
the place and state his reasons. But
after his feelings had been given a few
gentle strokes the smooth way by Vice
President Sherman and Senator Aldrich,
he agreed not TO explain IN open Senate
Vice President Sherman agreed 10 issue
the statement he later gave out. That
did not entirely satisfy Senator Elkins,
who finally called in the newspaper men
and talked at length Of his treatment.
Sherman and Aldrich said TO me,
Steve. we will appoint you chairman II
YOU will accept but you see they didn't, q"
said Mr.. Elkins with a smile.
"BuffalOedi Isn't that what the bows
call it?" inquired the Senator from West
Virginia, with a quizzical smile