The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-12-17
SENATOR HALE
IS CHAIRMAN
OF COMMITTEE
Offensive Portion of Presidents
Message Referred by Vote
to the Senate.
RESOLUTION OFFERED
BY SENATOR ALDRICH
COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE
HOUSE HAVE NOT YET AGREED
UPON A PLAN OF ACTION.

Washington, Dec. 16.-The senate to-
day decided definitely to enter upon an
investigation relative to the portion of
the annual message of che president
which criticises the action of congress
in prohibiting the detail of secret serv-
ice men to duty in other departments.
The resolution directing the inquiry
has been in contemplation ever since
the message was received on Tuesday
of last week, but there had been some
difficulty in arriving at the terms in
which ii should be couched and in
agreeing upon the proper person to in
troduce il. 1t was at last decided that
Senator Aldrich should stand sponsor
for the measure, and today. after Sem
ator Lodge had completed his speech on
the Brownsville affair, the Rhode Island
senator took the floor and presented a
resolution authorizing the inquiry.
Substitute More Specific.
Senator Culberson, the caucus leader
of the Democrats. Immediately sent up
a substitute which was somewhat more
specific.
Both measures were promptly re-
ferred to the committee on contingent
expenses, and almost Immediately aft
erward Senator Kean. from the COM
mittee, reported back the Aldrich reso-
luton with a recommendation that ii
pass. Senator Culberson made prompt
objection, and it looked for time as
if the consideration of the subject
would be postponed until tomorrow.
Finally the Democrats made il known
that they would interpose no objection
to the immediate cOnsidera ion of the
Aldrich resolution if the portion of the
Culberson substitute directing the COM
mittee on appropriations to advise the
senate specifically as to the course of
action it should take with reference to
the message could be Incorporated in il.
The resolution was again referred to
the committee on contingent expenses
and Chairman Keau of that committee
was prompt in reporting a recommen-
dalton for the adoption of the Aldrich
resolution with the addition of the Gull
bersOn provision. After a very ami
mated discussion, the resolution was
adopted without division and tins was
the inquiry decided upon. The resoiu-
ton, as adopted, follows:
The Resolution Adopted.
Resolved, That that portion of the
annual message of the president relat-
ing to the secret service is hereby re-
ferred to the committee on appropria-
tons. who are instructed TO inquire
whether the legislation referred TO in
the message has impaired the efficiency
or sufficiency of the force employed in
the secret service; and such committee
is further directed TO ascertain what
persons other than those included in
the secret service were paid from the
public treasury for the fiscal year ended
June 30. 1908. for services in connection
with the enforcement of the laws or for
work in the detection or investigation
of possible crimes or criminal acts or
violation of the law, including all spe-
clal attorneys. special agents. inspec-
tors or other employees of any depart
ment of the government or any branch
of the public service. and also some in
formation as to all persons whose en-
ployment was authorized by indefinite
or general appropriations: the infOrma-
ton TO contain the names Of all persons
so employed or. paid. Their previous oe-
cupation, the nature OF the work in
which they We're engaged, by whom
they were appointed. and upon whose
suggestion or recommendation; the in
quiry, however, not to include officers
appointed by the president and con-
firmed by the senate. or officers specifi-
cally provided by law. or 1aborers ap-
pointed as such and actually engaged in.
employment as laborers.'
The resolution further authorizes the
committee on appropriations to sub
poena witnesses and examine them un-
der oath: and further to reach what
action, if any. in the judgment of the
committee the senate should take in the
matter.
Main Point Not Covered.
Mr.. Bailey objected to the resolution.
because it did not direct the committee
TO inquire into the very gross and
Wanton words of the presidents mes
sage.
SO far as I am concerned he said.
no action should be taken on that res
olution until that point is covered.
E Their congress is the most Infamous
body that ever assembled in any coun-
try of the world. or ii will take some