The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
ROOSEVELT SENDS
 SPECIAL MESSAGE
Answer Is Made to Inquiry About Secret Service Matter.
HOUSE MEMBERS LAUGH
Message Takes Up Secret Service Methods and Says Particularly That Congress Has Not Fully Under
 stood the Matter.

Congress Has Not Fully Under
 stood the Matter.
 Washington, January 4-Unusual atten tion was paid in the House of Representa- tives today to the reading of a message from the President replying to a resolu ton of that body calling on him for al explanation of the intimation in his an nual message that members of Congress were afraid to be investigated by the secret service. The galleries were packed to the doors and their occupants like wise exhibited the greatest interest in what the President had to say.
 The Presidents specific references to certain speeches by Messrs. Tawney oi Minnesota, Smith of Iowa, Sherley oi Kentucky and Fitzgerald of New York when the provision for the restriction of the operations of the secret service was up for discussion and also to Mir Busby. the speakers private secretary, called out a storm of laughter The speaker sev- eral times vigorously rapped for order.
 AS the reading of the message pro- ceeded many members chuckled, others laughed outright, while some were prone to joke with their neighbors.
 When the reading had been concluded Mir Perkins of New York, chairman of the special committee which originally considered the matter, moved the message be referred to that committee.
 "Is an amendment in order to that mo- tn deliberate voice.
 ''It is," replied the speaker.
 Then" said MT. Griggs, ''I move that this message be returned to the Presi- dent"
 "Oh, no, nop' shouted several of MT. Griggs democratic colleagues.
 Mr. Perkins insisted that the message should go to the special committee and in the meantime MT. Griggs withdrew his motion, saying he took that action at the request of his party leaders.
 The message was referred.
 The message in part was as follows:
 RooseveIt's Message.
 To the House of Representatives:
 I have received the resolution of the House of Representatives of December r, 190S running as follows:
 Whereas there was contained in the sundry civil appropriation bill passed by Congress at its last session and became a law, a provision in reference to the employment of the secret service in the treasury department; and
 ffNhareae in the last annual maSsaPp of the President of the United States to the two Houses of Congress it was stated in reference to that provision: Tt 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 1t was further stated, The chief ar gument in favor of the provision was that the congressman did not themselves wish to be investigated by secret service men, and it was further stated: But if this Is not considered desirable a special excep- tion could be made in the law, prohibit ing the use of the secret service force In Investigating members of Congress. It would be far better to do this than to do what actually was done, and strive to prevent or at least to hamper effective action against criminals by the executive branch of the government; and
 "Whereas the plain meaning of the above words is that the majority of the congressmen were in fear of being in vestigated by secret service men and that Congress as whole was actuated by that motive in enacting the provision in ques- ton; and
 'Whereas your committee appointed to consider these statements of the Presi- dent and to report to the House cannot find in the hearings before committees nor in the records of the House or Sen ate any justification of this impeachment of the honor and integrity of the Con- gress; and
 "Whereas your committee would prefer in order to make an intelligent and com prehensive report, just to the President as well as to the Congress. to have all the information which the President may have to communicate: Now, therefore,
 "Be 1t resolved, That the President be requested to transmit to the House any evidence upon which he based his state ments that the chief argument in favor of the provision was that the congress men did not themselves wish to be inves- tigated by secret service men, and also | to transmit to the House any evidence connecting any member of the House of Representatives of the Sixtieth Congress with corrupt action in his official ca pacity, and to inform the House whether | 1 punishment of any such individual by the courts or has reported any such alleged delinquencies to the House of Representa-. l tives."
 l No Charges Made. | I am wholly at a loss to understand the | concluding portion of the resolution. have made no charges of corruption against Congress nor against any mem Der of the present House. If had proo of such corruption affecting any mem Der of the House in any matter as tt which the federal government has juris diction, action would at once be brought as was done in the cases of Senator, Mitchell and Burton, and Representative Williamson. Hermann and Driggs, a different times since I have been Presi dent. This would simply be doing m, | duty in the execution and enforcement O the laws without respect to persons. Bu I do not regard 1t as within the provinc, or the duties of the President to repor to the House "alleged delinquencies' O members, or the supposed Corrupt ac tion" of a member fin his official ca paclty." The membership of the Hous is by the constitution placed within tn power of the House alone Tn the nrosa