The Washington herald., 1909-01-11
MONDAY. JANUARY H. Is0a.
The Secret Service Controversy.


The clash OF opinion between the PTesi-
dent and the House on the Secret Service
has eliminated tamely enough in the
adoption Of the resolution tabling certain
objectionable passages in two Of Mr.
Roosevelt's messages. We do not see
that any fault can be found with the
action Of the House An overwhelming
majority OF its membership believes that
the language used by the President was
a breach Of legislative privilege. and 50
believing. It was clearly within the right
Of the House to record its conviction in
that regard. The debate was conducted
on q high plane OF thought and feeling
with manifest desire not 10 give further
offense or TO add fuel TO the flames o.
controversy Nov that IL is al over. We
think the country viii quickly see that
no serious harm has been done anybody
Nj. Roosevelt has had his fling. the
House has INDICATED itself 20 the extent
Of asserting its dignity, and the whole
matter would soon be forgotten but that
"a vital element IN the coutroversy-at
any rate the element most nearly con-
corning the public business-remsins IN
settled We refer, OF course. 10 the
Secret Service. and to the numerous Ques-
tons raised as to its usefulness and
method OF employment
Mr. Roosevelt has sharply accumulated
this phase Of the subject in his messages,
and he returns 10 It with vigor, not 70
say venom, in his letter TO Senator Hale.
As both Houses OF Congress are to in
quire into the operations OF the Secret
Service-an inquiry. by the way, which
the President welcOnes-we shall evsntu-
ally have all the facts concerning this
important branch OF The government serv-
ice During Fridays debate, NJ. Taw-
ney made an impressive showing Of gov
ernmental activities In the prevention and
detection OF crime. which on the face
Of Il demonstrates that Congress has not
been niggardly In providing funds for
that purpose. Mr.. Tawney's statement.
and, indeed, much OF the debate. makes It
all the more incomprehensible why Con
gress should have restricted the employ
ment Of Secret Service men over the
emphatic protest OF Secretary CorteIyou,
unless It was 20 prevent possible abuses
Of the SPY system. as 8Ir. Sher.ey con-
fesses. and abuses would naturally in
elUde. in the minds Of many Congress
men, any inquiry into their affairs or that
Of their friends and constituents Mr..
Tavney makes much Of his belief that
Secret Service men we're being Illegally
employed. but on this point his opinion
differs wholly from that Of Mr. Cortelyou.
Obviously great deal remains 70 be
cleared up on this matter. Il is 10 be
hoped Il VIII be thoroughly explored from
every side. and with a purpose TO per-
feet the administrative service rather
than 70 vent spleen Or make political
capital
Concerning Mr.. Roosevelts disclosure
OF Senator TiIlman's correspondence re-
lating 10 the acquisition Of public lands.
It may be said, Irrespective Of the pos
sible implications Of that correspondence.
that the President appears 10 be evening
up an ancient grudge in the guise Of do
ing a public service. Mr.. TilIman'
transactions were inquired into By post
Office inspectors. and not by operatives
from the branch OF the Secret Service
that IS the subject OF controversy. We
do not see what the findings OF post
Office inspectors have 70 DO with the use
fuiness Of Chief Wilkes men. CT with
the question whether the latter shall be
employed by other departments than the
Treasury. Mr.. Roosevelt seems to have
used the Senate request for information
as peg upon which to hang q deliberate
assault on the character and reputation
Of a United States Senator That sort OF
thing has q certain value in controversial
politics. bat no one can avoid a feeling
OF regret whenever a public man be-
comes the target Of accusation. The
employment OF governmental means FOR
the discovery Of private transactions not
necessarily criminal or illegal viii doubt
less receive the thoughtful consideration
Of Congressional inQuisltors.