New-York tribune., 1909-01-18
SECRET SERVICE PLAN
MAY CORRECT DEFECTS.
Mr. Taft Farors Establishment of
Corps of Competent attorneys.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington Jan. 1.-THE establishment OF
corps OF attorneys competent to handle the ous
ness of the government, part or the Oepdi'
ment of Justice thus avoiding-in so far as pos
sible-the necessity OF retaining special attorheSS
at high fees is the most important end hKely 10
result from the investigation Of the disbursement"
OF the special funds appropriated Tor thaI pu'P
which is now in progress. While no forhlal NS
ing OF the Senate Investigating COMMITTEE mas
been held Senator Gallinger has arrived IN ~ N@s"-
iugton and has been in coference WIN 0eh~'"'
HeInenway and Hale, and 1t Is already appaEeHN
that important steps are needed to correct 'ie
defects in the present policy, or lack OF poiieS' "
handling the detection and prosecutions OF Vlo'a
tons of the federal statutes The other, whlch mas
already been outlined in these dispatches Is Prop
provision for a government detective iorce' P
ably under the supervision or the AttorHeS -
eral. the work OF which shall be under the reason"
sble supervision of Congress. which can theh pr''
erly provide for It's pecunary needs
The policy of providing an adequate corps OF at
torneys has the full approval Of the Presldeht-e'
who believes the present system TO be seriously ue
fectiye as we'll as unduy expensive II Is prooaoie'
indeed that there will be a far-reaching reorgahl
cation OF the Department Of Justice. ana II Is 1'
necessity which IS fully appreciated py MI lait'
which has occasoned him some concern In MS el-
forts TO secure Attorney General a man VINO =
not only a lawyer Of exceptional attainments puI
one who possesses fa- mor@ than average execu-
tive ability. The Senate committee will seek 10
work In harmony with the views OF the Presdeh'-
elect at every point, ana MS oPiuiVhS' "A''N''
known TO the members, will have great weight
The fae- is that considerable part OF the De
partnent Of Justice has grown merely by sccretioh
and Is true Of the Secret service NOT i
this remarkable. u has been the history OF ilO9-
Of the departments and bureaus Of the government
Unforeseen necessities have Occasioued the en-
pIovment OF a few men 70 do certain work Their
number has gradually increased as the WORK de-
veloped, and ultimately Congress has taken cog
nizance Of the facts and created new and duly
organized bureau or department as tHs sl'ud'iO'4
warranted
The enforcement OF the Sherman Antitrust law
was beset with ditcutes until certain decisions OF
the Supreme Court indicated the possible manner
OF It's application. and. that done. the necessity OF
conducting prosecutions grew apace. So, too. with
other laws Of the present administration. Many Of
them call fo- a method of enforcement and sys-
TEN OF prosecutions where they are violated which
comparatively additions TO the functions OF
the government The Secret Service created
originally was solely for the purpose OF preventing
countrrfeitng. and not until some time after
the assassination of President Mckinley that its
functions legally extended 20 include the
protection OF the President Then came the dis
Covery that he public lands being ruthlessy
stolen and during the administration OF Secretary
Hitchcock the Secret Service operatives Dor
rovyedi' run 1eWu the vioators OF the land laws
About the same time discoveries were made az
violations Of the Antitrust law which required
rert detective work and both economy and
pedienCy pointed 10 the employment OF the trained
force Of the Secret Service. Now. however the
necessities for this special service have grown
demand extension and reorganization OF
the service. which seems assured next session.
The members OF the Senate investigating
mttee are going about their work carefully and
conservativeIy. and with disposition 10 stir up
trouble or promote friction. In their preliminary
discussions with the President they have found
him ready TO cooperate with them and z they
can succeed IT, controlling the impetuOsity Cf their
colleagues IN the House. there will he ssnsa-
tlonal results OF the investigation. bat instead
highly important recommendations OF much needed
legislation
The President has also conferred with some OF
the Senate leaders regarding the Foraker resoIu-
ton but there has been change IN his plans
since they were exclusively outlined in these dis
patches 20 The Tribune OF last Friday He Will
not submit fun statement OF the expenditures OF
the 100000 appropriation which the Foraker
resolution refers will his selection OF the items
10 be submitted in lump sums and OF those 20
be submitted in detail depend the Judgment Of
the Senate In fact. he has already demonstrated
TO the Senate leaders that the demands OF the
Foraker resolution are unreasonable and they have
concurred in his view. expressing regret that II
was permitted to pass without closer scrutiny OF
course there will be detailed statement OF the
EXPENSES incurred for the requirement OF military
information. but that Is not the only class OF eN-
penses which will be submitted without details
certain Senators have been permitted to see the
details and others can them when they wish
but the President will reserve the right 10 say
which members OF the upper house shall enjoy
this privilege