The sun., 1908-12-16
CONGRESS HASN'T O RT
MERELY MAKING UP IT'S MIND
HOW TO REBUKE RdesEYIgLT.

ruFtneftnOre, tne becfet SeFttoe may De
Investigated by q Congress CeHinsit-
tee Resolution OF Censsre 70 De 0fs
fered In Senate by Hale or Burrows.
WARRINGTON, Dec. 15.-Despite what
was diagnosed last week as pronounced
case Of cold feet on the part of Congress-
the national Legislature according to
declarations Of leaders in both branches,
is determined to administer a rebuke to
President Roosevelt for his structures on
Congressman in that part of his recent
message bearing on the activity Of the
Secret Service of the United States.
Further, II present intentions are car
ried out the operations Of the Secret
Service may be made the subject of
careful inquiry by Congress committee.
The very suggestion of such an ihvesti-
CATION has created good deal Of stir
the last few years has done various odd
jobs. ranging from the important work
of running down land sharks to collecting
evidence of a highly salaoious character
in divorce cases.
What appears to be delay by the Senate
and House in acting in this matter is
nothing more or less than the deiiberation
which accompanies the consideration Of
important questions, 80 the leaders say.
The rebuke to the Executive will be digni-
fed and temperate in tone, but before
anything is done at all each house wants
to get clear idea in advance just what
action is to be taken by the other.
Within the next few days. it is expected.
a resolution of censure will be offered in
the Senate. The House has already
taken the first step in this direction. a
select committee having been named for
the purpose Of making report recon-
mending appropriate action. just who
will offer the resolution in the Senate has
not yet been determined. Senator Hale
of Maine and Senator Burrows OF Michigan
are said to be willing, and one Of them in
all probability will be selected for the
task. Senator Dillingham; has consented
to undertake it.
The select committee appointed by the
House held another long session to-day,
but with what result is not known. The
announcement was made that meeting
would be held tomorrow and it was in
timated that some interesting develop
ments might follow.
Members are annoyed over the reports
that Congress was willing to back out
of what was now regarded as a predica-
nient. fearing that Mr.. Roosevelt would
return to the attack with disclosures
that would make 1t seriously embarrass-
ing for Congress. This is the substance
of statement made by two committee
men to-day, one OF them a Democrat
and the other a Republican,:
The House has q duty to perform in
this matter and it will act. You may be
sure Of that. There is nothing significant
in the delay of the committee in making
a report. We are making haste slowly.
1t is absurd even to suggest that after
the House had taken cognizance Of the
Presidents insulting message by ap-
pointing a committee to guide it in taking
action there would be a
thought Of abandoning the proceedings.
The chances are that we will report before
the holidays, and have no doubt the re-
port will be adopted
The interesting development Of the day
in the Secret Service imbroglio has to
do with the detective force Of the Treasury
Department. The Secret Service has
Congressman and now it
Is suggested Congress should make
n careful inquiry into the activities Of
the Secret Service. II such action were
taken it would undoubtedly intensity the
bitter feeling that already exists between
the executive and the legislative. That
such an inquiry Is entertained seriously
by some Senators and many Representa-
tives is not questioned.