The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-04

NdtulnktOu, jtu. f.-fTttldtnt
Rooseyelt's expected special message
on the secret service was sent to the
house today. II denies the statement
made In the house resolution OF In
curry that he had charged any mem
Der OF the present congress with cor
ruption or that the majority OF con-
gressmsn we're In fear OF investiga-
ton by detectives. He gives the
names OF former senators and repre-.
sentatives convicted in connection
with land frauds. and reiterates the
declaration made In his annual mess
age that the limitation placed by con-
gress on the operations OF the secret
service could be OF benefit only to the
criminal class.
or the work done BY the secret SER
vice. the president refers to the land,
naturalization. lottery. silk, opium.
Ink and other frauds. lie recommends
that Hii the government detective ser,
vices be consolidated into n single
bureau to be attached to the depart
ment OF Justice and that Chief VIII
kie's salary be Increased from $1,000
to $1,000 a year.
He denies the allegation made In
certain quarters that he ever used
the secret service In purely private
or political matters.
incidentally. he charges that agita-
ton against the secret service was
begun with an article written by l..
w. Busbey. private secretary to
Speaker Cannon. for Chicago news
paper.
Il am wholly at loss." he says.
TO understand the concluding por-
ton OF the house resolution. have
made no charges against congress
nor against any member OF the pres
ent house. n ] had proof OF such
corruption affecting any member OF
the house in any matter as to which
the federal government has jurisiic-
ton. action would at once be brought.
as was done in the cases of Senators
Mitchell and Burton and Represen-
tatives Williamson. Hermann and
briggs at different times since have
been president.
A careful reading OF my message
VIII show that said nothing TO war
rant the statement In the house, reso-
luton that the majority OF the con-
gressmen we're I'm fear of being in
vestigatei by the secret service men.
or that congress as a whole was actu-
ated by that motive"
In support Of his statement that
the chief argument in favor OF the
movement 70 restrict the secret SER
vice was alleged fear of some menu
beers ttAeylhey might be investigated.
the president refers the house to the
report OF the debate last May on that
SUBJECT. as given In the Congressional
Record He says responsibility for
the action taken by the house rested
on the committee on appropriations,
under the leadership OF chairman
Tawney (Rep). Minnesota; Smith
tRep). Iowa; sher,ey (Dem), Ken
lucky. and Fitzgerald tDem). NV
York.
But all OF this" continues the
presidents message, lis OF insignifi-
cant importance compared with the
main, real Issue. This issue is simply.
Does congress desire that the gov
eminent shall have az It's disposal the
most eficient instrument for the de.
lection of criminals and the proven
ton and punishment OF crime. or
does u not?' The action OF the. house
last May was emphatically an action
against the interest OF justice and
against the interest of law-abiding
people. and in It's effect OF benefit
only TO law-breakers. Is the house
now willing to remedy the wrong?"
The president quotes from letter
he sent to Speaker Cannon April 80.
protesting against interference with
the secret service. in which he said /;
There is no more foolish cutlery
than this against spies; only crimi-
mails need fear our detectives.
The message revieTs the opera
otions OF the secret service men since
ice1 They uncovered system for
thq fraudulent acquisition and fenc-
~ 81 nnbIc lands. IN this work one
80 fnnIo1.