Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-28
SECRET SERVICE
CHIEF 'SWfATEDI
BY COMMITTEE
HEAD OF FEDERAL DETECTIVES
SEVERELY GRlLLEn
"REDUCED" EXPENSES WITHOUT
AIDING ~EcoNoMY
Charges Made by Rainey Against Pres
ident of Panama Renewed-WiI-
Iett's Denunciation Expunged
by Representatives
[By Associated Press.l

10y ASSOclaLeO EreSS.l
NJ ASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-What is
wv described as one of the most
thrilling hearings of this session
took place this afternoon in the rooms
of the house committee on appropria-
tions, when the subcommittee in charge
OF the drafting of the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill had Chief John E. Will
kie Of the secret service on the witness
stand.
Chief Wilkie was asked for informa-
ton concerning the conduct of his Of
flee, being questioned by the members
whose names have figured in the secret
service controversy win the president.
For more than three hours Mr.. Will1ie
was piled with questions.
The fact was brought out that al
though the limitation placed upon the
expenditure of money for secret service
last year reduced the number of men
employed by the secret service under
Chief Wilkie by nine, those same nine
men were placed on the rolls of the de-
partment of justice.
The house proceedings began with the
adoption of the special committee re-
port recommending the expunging from
the records of the recent speech of Mr..
Willett of New York, denunciatory of
President Roosevelt.
During further consideration of the
postoffice appropriation bill the charges
made yesterday by Mr.. Rainey affect
ing Panama canal affairs cropped out
again.
Mr.. Weeks of Massachusetts entered
q defense of Senator Lodge, while Mr..
Rainey reiterated his statements re-
garding the purchase Of two ships at
the instance of the Massachusetts SEN
ator.
The postoffice appropriation bill was
amended in several places and passed.
1t carries an appropriation of more than
$234,000,0 900.
Committee Hearings
Committee hearings have been held sew
eral bills pending before the senate for the
relief of delinquent water right applicants
and Of other settlers on arid lands, in rela-
tion to which opposition has developed on the
ground that extensions granted to such per-
sons tend to prevent further irrigation work.
The opponents of such legislation claim the
entire policy of the extension of irrigation prof.
ects depends upon having the obligations Of
such settlers met promptly.
They claim the policy OF permitting exten-
sions Of time will result in breaking down the
system.
Senator Hepburn of Idaho has introduced a
bill authorizing the reappraisement of unsold
lots in townsites under reclamation projects,
and giving to the secretary of the interior
thority to sell all such lots partial pay
ments.
The bill provides that where lots have not
been sold within two years after the first ap-
praisement they may be revalued and then re-
sold.
In many cases it has been found that the
original valuation too high.
There is little likelihood that the house ways
and means committee will consider any propo-
sition involving a tariff commission, sug
gested by President-elect Taft.
Chairman Payne and other members are
known to be opposed to a commission, which
would have the power to make rates, while
some members claim that a commission for
the purpose of gathering information is un-
necessary in view of the numerous sources of
information through the various government
departments.
In it's present consideration of the tariff the
committee has been supplied with valuable in
formation by the census bureau, the bureau
of manufactures, the department of agriculture
and American representatives abroad through
the state department, as well as governmental
experts and agents.
1t is probable that the new tariff bill will
contain provision for a commission.
The main argument advanced against a tariff
commission which would have the right to
establish the rates of duty, even recommend
changes to the house committee, is that busi-
ness interests of the country would be seriously
impaired by the constant uncertainty on tariff
rates which would result
Furthermore, it is claimed, capital would not
be invested so freely in those industries which
affected by foreign trade and competition.
To Conserve Water
To conserve the surplus waters of navigable
streams in time of flood and store them in
watersheds until time of drouth Representa-
tive Lever of South Carolina has introduced a
bill which provides for the cooperation of
states with each other, with the United
States, for the protection of watersheds of
navigable streams.
The bill provides commission to be known
the national forest reservation commission,
to pass upon lands which are necessary for the
regulation Of navigable streams and recon-
mended for the purpose by the secretary of
agriculture.
Statehood Fight
Every effort is being made by the house COM
mittee on territories to report the Arizona and
New Mexico separate statehood bills by the
end of next week.
The statehood bill is being framed by the
Republican members of the committee, but will
be exhibited to the minority members before
hearings held by the full commRtee.
The bill probably will provide for grants of
land by the federal government instead of
grants of money, as has been done in some
cases to the territories that have been granted
statehood.
These grants of land are to be primarily for
the purpose of hquidating certain territorial
debts.
A thorough investigation of the debts, both
county and territorial, in New Mexico and
Arizona is being made with the object of de-
termining how much land should be granted
by the bill
1t is purposed, it is said to give New Mex
leo two representatives and Arizona one at
large in the house.
Several persons interested in the establish
ment of a new line of steamers between San
Francisco and Panama called on the secretary
of war today to ascertain to what extent the
government would support the line by for
wardng supplies for the Panama canal bv the
he favored the project but was not prepared
to say what assurances the government could