Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-12
HOUSE ONLY B|UFF|NG
Not Probable That Committee
on Presidents Message
Will Go Very Far
ROOSEVELT HAS EVIDENCE
In Position to Make it Very UnpIeas-
ant for Some of the Leaders in Con-
aress Should Controversy Be Pushed
Committee Ignores Most Serious
Charges in Message,
ROOSEVELT HAS EvlDENc
In Position to Make it Very UnpIeas-

Washington, Dec. 12.-There is q
great deal of noise and fury about the
alleged indignation in the house over
the slap in the face administered to a
coterie Of its leading members by the
president In point of fact. however,
the appointment of the committee is
little more than bluff.
Every member of the house knows
that the president is loaded for bear
and that he has material at his disposal
to make things exceedingly unpleasant
for half dozen leaders of the house.
These leaders who We're responsible for
the original amendment to the sundry
civil bill, against which the president
protested in vain at the time. as did
the secretary of the treasury. will keep
up a pretense of fighting, but 1t is
doubtful if anything serious ever comes
of the whole transaction.
President Has Viriie Evidence.
IT the committee goes honestly to
work and asks the president for further
evidence showing the activity of the
land thieves in promoting legislation of
the house which was fnaugurated by
Chairman Tawney of Minnesota and
insisted upon after it had been stricken
out by the senate.
In taking up the matter today the
house passed the following preambles
and resolutions:
Whereas. There was contained IN
the sundry civil appropriation bin
which passed congress at its last ses-
sion and became a law a provision in
reference to the employment of the
secret service in the treasury depart
ment and
Whereas. In tho message Of the
president of the United States to the
two houses of congress 1t was stated
in reference to that provision:
ut is not too much to say that this
has been Of benefit only
and could be of benefit only, to the
criminal classes" and it was further
stated "rhe chief argument in favor Of
the provision was that the congress-
men did not want themselves to be in
by secret service men, and
1t was further stated. But if this is not
desirable a special exception
could be made in the law prohibiting
the use of the secret service force in
members of congress. 1t
would be far better to do this than to
do what actually was done. and strive
to prevent or at least to hamper effect
i've action against criminals by the ex-
ccutive branch of the government"
Now therefore be it
Resolved. That a committee Of five
of congress of this house be
appointed by the speaker to consider
the statements contained in the mess
age of the president and report to the
house what action, if any. should be
taken in reference thereto
Il is an extremely significant thing.
which the country at large will recog
nize, that this resolution offered by
Representative Perkins Of New York
pays but little attention to the main
points in the presidents message on
this subject and practically directs the,
committee appointed by Speaker Can
non to consider only those portions Of
the presidents message which con-
Germ the desire of the congressman to
escape investigation.
Serious Charges Passed Over.
The committee will pass over the
serious charges in the presidents mess