Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-12
HOUSE APPOINTS com,
OF INVESTIGATION
To Look Into Presidents Reference in
Message to Secret Service ---Sen.
ate Will Do Likewise Next Week,
PERKINS RESOLUTION.

Washington, Dec. 11.-Immcdiatcly
after the convenng of the House to-
Gay, Rep. Perkins of New York intro
duced a resolution which had hereto
| fore been agreed upon. providing for
the appointment of a special commit
tee of five members to consider the
proper means of dealing with that por-
ton Of the Presidents message which
crltlclZes the course of Congress in pro-
hlbitlng the detail of secret service
men to duty outside of their own bu-
reau. The resolution is preceded by a
preamble reciting some expressions OF
the message. No effort is made to give
voice to the feeling of the House. In
presenting the resolution, Mr.. Perkins
made brief statement saying that he
was satisfied that the House would not
hesitate to take such action as the dig
nifty of that body required. He said that
some of the Presidents expressions
" ere unfortunate.
The resolution was adopted and
Messrs. Perkins, n. Y, Dandy, Mich;
Weeks, Mass; Williams, Miss; and
Lloyd, of Missouri, were appointed on
the committee.
In submitting the resolution Perkins
said that the statements by the Presi-
dent could not be lightly dsregarded
as they might impair the usefulness of
the Congress; that undue obtuseness
might argue a lack Of proper seIf-re-
Spect
A resolution similar to that passed
by the House probably will be adopted
by the Senate early next week. It will
provide for the appointment of a com
mittee to recommend a course of ac-
ton relative to the Presidents utter
ances
Perkins has called a meeting Of the
committee for tomorrow afternoon. He
SAID that he expects to be able to bring
III report before the holiday recess of |
CONGRESS. Republican senators today
considered tho message of the Presi- |
cent and it practically was decided to
permit the resolution to be brought in |
by some Democratic senator. The reso-
lution will provide for an investigation /
OF the whole subject by the Senate COM
mlttee on appropriations.
The text of Perkins resolution fol-
lows:
Whereas there is contained in the |
snndry civil appropriation bill, which |
passed Congress at it's last session. and |
became law, provision in reference
to the employment of the secret service
Il: the treasury department, and,
whereas in the message Of the Pres
ldent OF the United States to the two
houses of Congress it was stated in
reference TO that provision: 1t is not |
too much to say that this amendment |
has been of benefit only, and could b.,
Of benefit only to the criminal class
es. and it was further stated The
chief argument in favor Of the pro
vision was that the congressman did
not themselves wish to be investigated
by secret service mem and it was fur
ther stated. But if this is not consid-
cred desirable special exception could
be made in the law, prohibiting the use
Of the secret service force in investi-
eating members Of Congress- 1T would
was actually done, and strive to pre-
vent or at least to hamper effective ac-
ton against criminals by the executive
branch Of the government
''Now, therefore be 1t resolved, that
q committee of five members of Con-
gress of this House be appointed by
the Speaker to consider the statements
contained in the message Of the Pres
dent and report to the House what ac-
ton. if any, should be taken in refer
ance thereto"
Ia submitting it. Perkins said:
II do not believe in oVer-sensitive-
ness to unfavorable criticism, whether
upon an individual Or upon public
Eody. But while there may be undue
SO also there may be
undue obtuseness which might argue
4 lack of proper self-respect.
1T is Of Importance to the Republic
that all of the coordinate branches
Of the government should possess in
high degree the confidence and respect
Of the people. yield to no one in my
of the Chief Executive of the
United States; and I yield to not one in
Continued on PaR~ Ten.)