Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-07
No Secrecy.

1t is seldom that an occasion arises in
the course of the governments business
that demands secrecy Of proceedings. Ger
tain administrative affairs are of course
transacted In silence. The negotiations of
the State Department are not disclosed I'M
I'll results are achieved. The Senate ad-
herring to antiquated custom. considers
nominate and treaties In executive ses-
sion. But otherwise the work of the great
machine is done In the open under the
gaze of all the people. in recognition of the
principle that in a country like the United
States the people have the right to know
what is going on.
The Investigation at the government
printing office is decidedly not of the char
acter to demand secrecy. The questions at
issue In that matter are of a nature to be
analysed and answered in the open. They
relate to the conditions surrounding the let
ting of a certain contract. They involve
considerations of a nature to require. in
deed. the fullest publicity. Presumably not
a particle of testimony is being adduced be-
fore the inquisitors which is not unfit for
publication in a moral sense. On the other
hand. all of 1t is of the kind that needs
to be printed accurately. in the order OF
statement so that the public may under
tors formulate their decision. later to be
announced
A secret investigation always raises sus-
pIcion-suspicion of scandals at the out
set and suspicion of the thoroughness Of
fairness of the inquiry. 1t engenders a
spirit of distrust on all sides. The wit
nesses feel that they are not safe. when
they are called into jealously- guarded
room and asked categorical questions with
out knowing their drift. The public is not
assured that the ground is thoroughly COW
cred. The principals. claimants and de-
PENDANTS. are without appeal
This secret inquiry at the printing office,
II continued at present. will surely break
down the discipline Of the institution. 1t
will initiate against the public confidence
in the outcome. Its results are In a large
measure discounted in advance. And the
present course Is the more deplOrabie. be-
ing the less excusable, for the fact that
supplementary investigation by Congress
is virtually assured which investigation
will be unquestionably held in the open.
The houses of Congress have always rec
ognized the wisdom of holding its inquiries
and hearings with open doors. 1t has
examined In the presence of the public such
delicate questions as the practices of the
Mormon church. the business transactions
of great corporations. the activities of the
labor interests, efforts to bride sitting men,
bers to vote for certain naval devices and
even charges of bribery in connection with
the election of senators. 1t has In fact al
ways followed the rule to inquire in the
open into all charges preferred by or In
the name of the public. whatever their
character.
This printing Office affair relates to the
circumstances of the purchase of certain
printing machines. The charges were pub
Iicly brought and their nature is we'll
known. There is nothing secret about the
case except the inquisitorial methods OF the
investigators. and they are condemned by
every principle of common sense and fair
dealing II the committeeman now sitting
In this case wish their findings to have the
least weight with the country they will
forthwith throw open the doors.