Gilpin observer., 1909-01-07
Instances IN Which
Secret Service Starred.

I'm connection with the Nebraska prose-
cution the government has by decree Sc
cured the return to the government OF
over a million acres of grazing land;
In Colorado OF more than 1000 acres of
mineral land. and suits are now pending
involving 10000 acres more.
IAN these Investigations in the land
cases were undertaken in consequence
or Mr Hitchcock. the then secretary
OF the interior. becoming convinced that
there were extensive frauds committed
in his department: and the ramincations
OF the frauds were so far-reaching that
he was afraid to trust his own officials
10 deal in thoroughgoing fashion with
them. one of the secret service men ac-
cordingly resigned and was appointed
In the interior department to carry on
this work. The first thing he discovered
was that the special agents division or
corps of detectives OF the land ofice of
the interior department was largely un-
der the control of the land thieves: and
in consequence the investigations above
referred to had TO be made by secret
service men.
''If the present law. for which Messrs
Tawney, Smith. and the other gentle
men l have above mentioned are respon-
sible. had then been in effect this ac-
ton would have been impossible and
most OF the criminals would unquestion-
ably have escaped. No more striking In
stance can be imagined of the desirable
ity of having central corps of skilled
investigating agents who can at any time
be assigned. II necessary in large num-
bers. to investigate some violation of the
federal statutes, In matter what
branch of the public service. In this par
ticular case most of the men investigated
who were public servants were in the
executive branch OF the government. But
in Oregon. where enormous acreage
OF fraudulently auenated public land was
fAr th..
states senator. Mr.. Mitchell. and mem-
ber of the lower house. Mr.. williamson
We're convicted on evidence obtained by
men transferred from the secret service
and another member of congress was in
dicted."
Chief Asks for Reversal
Of Action Of Solons.
The president then gave number of
other instances. all of which tend to
point out the efficiency of the secret
service. and he concludes:
I'm conclusion, I most earnestly ask, in
the name Of good government and de-
cent administration. in tho name OF hon
esty and for the purpose OF bringing
to Justice violators OF the federal laws
wherever they may be found, whether in
public or private life. that the action
taken by the house last year be reversed.
when this action was taken, the senate
committee, under the lead OF the late
Senator Allison. having before Il q
strongly-worded protest from Secretary
Cortelyou like that he had sent to Mr..
Tawney. accepted the secretary's views;
and the senate passed the bill In the
shape presented by Senator Allison. In
the conference. however. the house con-
ferees insisted on the retention OF the
provision they had inserted. and the
senate yielded.
The chief of the secret service is
paid salary utterly inadequate to the
Importance of his functions and to tho
admirable way in which he has per-
formed them. ! earnestly urge that II
may be Increased to 5000 per annum. I
also urge that tho secret service be
placed where II properly belongs, and
made bureau In the department OF
Justice. as the chief of tho secret service
has repeatedly requested; but whether
this Is done or not. II SHOULD be ex-
plicitly provided that the secret service
can be used to detect and punish crime
wherever II is found.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"