Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-12
TO INVESTIGATE
SECRET SERVICE
COMMITTEE NAMED AS RESULT
OF CRITICISM
PRESIDENTS DISSATISFACTION
HAS DECIDED EFFECT
Special Body VIII Learn II Federal
sIeuths Should Do Duty Outside
of Their Own Depart
ments


alive Perkins of New York today in
trodueed a resolution which heretofore
had been agreed upon, providing Tor
the appointment of special commit
tee of five members to consider the
proper means of dealing with that por-
ton of the presidents message when
criticises the course of congress in pro
hibiting the detail of secret service
men to do duty outside their own pu-
reaus.
The resolution is preceded by pre-
amble reciting some expressions OF the
message. No effort is made TO give
voice to the feeling of the house.
In presenting the resolution Mr.. Per
kins made a brief statement, saying
he was satisfied that the house would
not hesitate to take such action as the
dignity of that body required.
He said some of the presidents ex-
pressions were unfortunate.
The resolution was adopted, ana
Messrs. Perkins of New York, Denny
of Michigan, Weeks of Massachusetts,
Williams of Mississippi and Lloyd of
Missouri were appointed on the com
mittee.
In submitting the resolution Mr.. FER
kins said that the statements by the
president could not be lightly disre-
garded, as they might impair the use
fitness of congress, and that undue
obtuseness might argue a lack of prop
er self-respect.
A resolution similar to that passed
by the house probably will be adopted
by the senate early next week. 1t Will
provide for the appointment OF COM
mittee to recommend a course of action
relative to the presidents utterances.
Meeting Called
Mr.. Perkins has called a meeting of
the committee for tomorrow. He said
that he expected to be able to bring in
a report before the holiday recess OF
congress.
Republican senators today consid-
cred what action should be taken by
the senate concerning the message OF
the president, and it was practically
decided to permit the resolution to be
brought in by some Democratic sem
ator The resolution will provide for
an investigation of the whole subject
by the committee on appropriations.
The text of Mr.. Perkins resolution
was as follows:
whereas, there was contained in the
sundry civil appropriation bill which
passed congress at its last session and
became a law, a provision in reference
to the employment of the secret serY-
ice in the treasury department; and,
Whereas, in the message of the
president of the United States to
the two houses of congress 1t
was stated IN reference to that pro-
vision; 1T is not too much to say that
this amendment has been of benefit
only and could be of benefit only to
the criminal classes and it was fur
Their stated: The chief argument in
favor of the provision was that the
congressman did not themselves want
to be investigated by secret service
men, and it was further stated: But
I5rrs r-r.Ha IL n
special exception could be made in the
law prohibiting the use Of the secret
service force in investigating members
of congress. II would be far better to
do this than to do what actually was
done, and strive to prevent or at least
hamper effective action against Grim
mails by the legislative branch of the
government now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that a committee of five
members of congress of the house be
appointed by the speaker to consider
the statements contained in the mes
sage of the president and report to
the house what action, if any. should
be taken in reference thereto"
Perkins Discusses Action
In submitting it Mr.. Perkins said:
ST do not believe in oVersensitivenes
to unfavorable criticism, whether upon
an individual or upon a public body;
tiveness, so also there may be undue
obtuseness, which might argue a lack
of proper self respect.
at is important to the republic that
all of the coordinate branches of the
government should possess in a high
degree the confidence and respect of
the people. I yield to no one in my re-
spect for the chief executive of the
United States; and I yield to no one
in my respect for the congress of the
United States.
"To the congress is granted great
power and upon it are imposed great
responsibilities. We cannot neglect our
duties nor shirk our responsibilities
The dignity of that body should not
be punctiliously insisted upon, but it
should be properly maintained.
1.-The statements made by the presi-
dent cannot lightly be disregarded.
They may be so construed by the pub
lie as to lessen the dignity and there
by impair the usefulness Of the con-
gress of the United States. It can be
Justly said, think. that these ex-
pressions were unfortunate.
whether it is enough to say this,
or whether some more formal action
should be taken, it will be for con-
gress, exercising a wise and discreet
Judgment, to decide
1--WE are the representatives Of mill
lions of people. We are the legisla-
tive body of a great nation. I am sure
there is no one who has the honor to
be q. member of this congress who will
hesitate to approve such action as may
be required by a proper regard for the
dignity of the body to which we be-
long and of the people whom we rep
resent"
The resolutions were adopted
While speaking, Mr.. Perkins was ac-
corded rapt attention by the entire
membership. Even the occupants of
the galleries. who usually keep up an
incessant din, maintained silence.
At the conclusion of his remarks he
was loudly aFplauded.