Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-05

Such body as the secret Service.
such a body Of trained investigating
agents, occupying permanent posi-
ton in the government service and
separate from local investigating Sarces
I'm different departments, is an absolute
necessity If the best work is to be
done against criminals. ct is by far
the most efficient instrument possible
TO use against crime. OF course the
more efficient an instrument IS the
more dangerous it is If misused. To
the argument that a force like this
can be misused it is only necessary TO
answer that the condition of its use
fitness If handled properly is that it
shall be so efficient as 70 be dangerous
IL handled improperly. Any instance
OF abuse by the secret service or other
investigating force in the departments
should be unsparingly punished, and
congress should hold itself ready at
any and all times TO investigate the
executive departments whenever there
is reason to believe that any such In
stance Of abuse has occurred. I wish
to emphasize my more than cordial sc-
quiescence in the~view that this is not
only the right Of congress, but en-
phatically its duty. To use tho secret
service In the investigation OF purely
private or political matters would BE-
a gross abuse. But there has been no
single instance OF ouch abuse during
my term as president.
The Presidents Appeal.
In conclusfoa. most earnestly ask
in the name Of good government and
decent administration. in the name of
honesty and for the purpose of bring
ing to justice Violations Of the federal
laws wherever they may be found
whether in public or private life. th@4
the action taken by the house Inst yoae
be reversed. When this action waO
taken the senate committee, under tho,
lead Of the late Senator Allison, hav-
ing before 1t strongly worded protest
Appendix D. from Secretary Cortel-
you like that he had sent to Mr.. Tuw-
ney, accepted the secEstary's views.
and the senate passed the bi1 IN the
shape presented By Senator Allison.
In the conference. however, the house
conferees insisted on the retention OF
the provision they had inserted. and
the senate yielded. Appendix D con-
sists of letter from Secretary Cortel-
you to the late William B. Allison
chairman Of the senate committee %
appropriations, dated May 8. 1908. In
Il the secretary protests vigorously
against the amendment TO the sundry
civil bill prohibiting the payment Of
ANY person detailed or transferred
from the secret service DIVISION He
gives reasons for such details and In
an appendix cites instances IN which
the secret service men have been de-
tailed effectively IN cases outside the
treasury Department.
The chief OF the secret service Il
paid a salary utterly inadeQuatS to
the Importance OF his functions ana
to the admirably way In which he
has performed them. I earnestly
urge that It be increased TO 5000 per
annum, l also urge that the secret
service be placed where It properly
belongs and made a bureau in the
department Of Justice. as the chief OF
the secret service has repeatedly re-
euested. But. whether this is done or
not, it should be explicitly provided
that the secret service can be used to-
detect and punish crime wherever lei
IS found
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House. Jan. 4, 1909.