The Washington times., 1909-02-11
Senate Committee RebukeS
/ President Tactfully and
Firmly.
CONGRESS INTENT
ALWAYS MANIFEST
Never Contemplated Extension OF
Service AS Recently
Sought.

RebukinS the President in temperate
language. but in terms that are not mis-
taxable. the subcommittee Of the SEN
ate Appropriations Committee having
charge of the Secret Service invest-
cation has prepared it's report to the
Senate The subcommittee consists of
Senators GalIinger, Hemenways and
CLAY.
The report takes the ground that
whatever restriction Congress may have
put on the use OF the Secret Service
was limited and technical in character
and that there was no ground sufficient
Tor the President to impugn the mo-
Eives OF the lawmakers, as he did in
Ehat part Of his annual message relating
70 the Secret Service.
Thus far, the subcommittee has made
only a preliminary investigation 1t is
asking for authority 20 continue its in
quiry after the close of this session.
This inquiry would be for the purpose
OF making rull ana exhaustive inquiry
anto the character Of the services per
formed, not merely by the Secret Serv-
See, but by all the secret and special
agents Of the Government
Hemmenway May Serve.
II this plan is carried out the services
OF Senator HemenWay may be utilized.
He viii end his term in the Senate
March 8. But there is a movement on
au the Senate to have an inquiry made
mot only into Secret Service matters
that viii be searching and exhaustive.
but TO have a careful examination made
spto the present appropriations system
20 ascertain whether economies cannot
be effected.
The report OF the subcommittee traces
the history of the legislation creating
the Secret Service division. and shows 1t
has been the intent OF Congress from
the first TO limit the use of the Secret
Service TO investigation OF counterfeit
ing and ike frauds
Secretary Garfield IL quoted 10 show
shat but one agent from the Secret
Service division was ever detailed TO
the Interior Department to work on
land fraud cases. Attorney General
Bonaparte also IS quoted 10 show that
ne does not consider that the plan OF
promiscuous transfer of Secret Service
operatives 10 his department and other
departments was satisfactory.
Aspersions Not Warranted.
In concluding its report the subcom-
mittee says
III the amendment 20 the sundry
civil bill for the current year 1903 has
operated as a restriction upon the use
OF Secret Service employees, such re-
Etr4CtiOn rs so technical and limited IN
character that II does not appear sufh-
cient 10 warrant the impugninR OF the
motives of Congress ia adopting the
amendment No Congress in the his
tory of the Government has so literally
supported the executive branch Of the
Government by appropriations to aid IN
the execution of law as has the SiXtieth
Congress.
The scope of the work OF the Secret
Service division of the Treasury Depa TT
ment might be enlarged so as to enable
81 20 investigate violations OF law under
the jurisdiction OF that department, but
To give II authority 10 conduct all gov
ernmentaI Investigations would, On the
opinion or your committee, be very I'M
wise and result In much conflict and
friction between the various depart
ments.
ut has never been the intention Of
any Congress 10 build up d spy system
Of that character There has come "a
the attention Of the committee alleged
cases OF misuse and improper official
conduct Of Secret Service employees, but
the committee has not had time nor
opportunity 10 verify these. as wen as
many other reports conveying alleged
Information relating 10 the subjects con-
templated 10y the resolution"