The Washington herald., 1907-02-09

Members Of the Senate. irrespective OF
politics. are determined to obtain an ex-
PLANTATION Of why hundreds Of special EN-
pI1yes have been assigned 20 work IN the
various departments by President Roose-
welt.
Leaders On both sides have been dis
cussing the matter for several days. and
yesterday, when Senator Tillman offered
a resolution directing certain department
heads so report the number and names Of
all special agents. attorneys. ard employees
who have been thus employed in the last
year, the Senate acted on it afirInativeIy
without dissenting vote. Not voice
was raised iu defense Of the President
Chairman Tawney. Of the House APP
propriations Committee. made a speech
oa The same subject last session, and it
is evident that both branches Of Congress
are rcsentfuI of Mr. RoOsevelt's action in
the premises. II has been charged in
cIoakrOom conversations that the EXecu-
tive, without legal warrant had ap-
pointed college classmates. Rough Riders,
and ether favored friends to all sorts Of
special Offices. and that in an such ap-
poiutmcnts DE had ignored civil service
regulations. The Hanks-Harrimau affair
is cited as a case in point and resoiu-
tiou asking further Information about the
employment of these men VAS adopted
yesterday. rs were others requesting facts
of various kinds for the information of
the Senate
TiHmau Resolution Comprehensive.
Mr.. Tinman's resolution called upon the
Departments Of Justice. Interior. AgricUi-
ture. Treasury. and Commerce and Labor
and tile Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion for information as TO the number,
compensation. names, &c, OF all special
agents, attorneys. inspectors. and en-
ployes who had been employed by them
for the year ended June g. 1856 without
specific appropriation The resolution
was comprehensive in its original form.
but Senators who had not paid attention
10 its reading hurled suggestions at Jhe
head Of the South Caroliuian with view
te permitting 20 Ioophole wkieh world
enable departmental officers 10 hide The
Identity of the most lowly appointee.
When it was deemed to be a veritable
dragnet, It was adopted without obiec-
ton.
Senator CuIberson introduced q rssoIu-
ton calling on the Interstate Commerce
Commission 10 send 20 the Senate copies
Of various papers. documents. and fig
Ures" which were prepared by Messrs.
Hanks and Hartman. the special agents
appointed at the request of the President
20 review the work OF the commission.
that within the last few years. probably
during the term Of the present admins
tration, the number of special employees
who have no fixed legal status and whose
employment is not regulated by law has
increased from 900 TO 1880.
The importance of the question is 10
know whether ours is becoming q more
personal government or is one of law.
While that is of consequence, and I am
concerned with it. 1 ann also concerned
with the statement of Mr. Hanks which
he has reiterated since this matter was
first considered. that he presented facts TO
the Interstate Commerce Commission, in
dicatlng that passenger and freight rates
charged upon Interstate traffic might be
reduced - per cent without injustice.
The reply of the commission was not sat
isfactory on this point"
Keep Report asked For.
The Senate also adopted resolution
offered by AIr. Warren. calling on the
President. IL not incompatible with tna
public interest. TO send to the Senate the
report of the Keep Commission relative TO
the administration OF the Interior Depart
ment. 1t has been rUmored that the COM
mission created by the President to reor-
Eanizc departmental methods has found
a startling condition OF affairs in the IN
terror Department
\ resolution presented 10y Mr.. Daniel
calling upon the Secretaries of War and
Navy for specific information as % what
Ioficers and employees haG obtained pat
ents during their service. their disposition.
&c, was also adopted Tt is aimed 10
meet the public charges that men # high
rank have made advantageous financial
deals % tie detriment of the government.