The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-05
HOUSE MOVED
To LAUGHTER
BY MESSAGE
prssident'S Reply to the Per-
kinS Resolution Received
With Scant Courtesy.
ghALLY REFERRED TO
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
MENTIONED WILL
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY
WHEN TIME COMES.

Washington, Jan. 4.-UBusual atten-
sian vas paid in the house OF represen-
,.iives today 30 the reading of G mes
aee from the president replying to
rsIution Of that body calling on him
s,r an explanation of the intimation in
he annual message that members OF
congress were afraid to be investigated
h the secret service. The galleries
we're packed.
The presidents specific references to
certain speeches by Messrs. Tawney of
Minnesota, Smith Of Iowa, Sherley of
kentucky and Fitzgerald of New York.
when the provision for the restriction
4 of the operations of the secret service
ras 10 for discussion and also TO Mr..
] Busby, tile speakers private secretary,
allied a storm of laughter. The speaker
At times vigorously raped for order.
As the reading of the message pro-
sseded. many of the members chuckled.
others laugh outright, while some
were prone TO joke with their neighbors.
Referred to Committee
Il When the reading had been concluded.
Mr.. Perkins OF New York, chairman of
tie special committee which originally
considered the matter, moved that the
message be referred to that committee.
rs an amendment in order to that
notion?" inquired Mr.. Griggs of Geor.
gis, in deliberate voice.
1T is replied the speaker.
Then" said Mr.. Gfiggs. Il move that
this message be returned TO the presi-
dent"
"Oh. no." shouted several of Mr..
Grlggs' Democratic colleagues.
Mr. Perkins insisted that the message
should go &c the special committee, and
ia the meantime Mr.. Griggs withdrew
his motion saying that ne took that ac-
ton at the request of his party leaders,
The message was referred.
Members VIII Not Talk.
Members Of the house mentioned in
we message declined to make any pub
lie reply.
4 have no comment 10 make at thu
time. said Mr.. FITZGERALD. whatever
comment i desire to make VII be from
my place on the floor as a member of
congress-
Walter I. Smith of Iowa said he would
make a speech in reference to the mem
ton of his name, but that he would not
rise to question of personal privilege,
believing tfdJ such would recognize an
injury received. He intimated his COM
ments would be straight to the point
The Presidents Message.
To the House of Representatives:
l have received the resolution of the
house of representatives of Dec. Il, 1915.
running as follows:
Whereas there was contained in tho
sundry civil appropriation bill which
passed congress at its last session and
became a law, provision in reference
70 the employment of the secret service
IN the treasury department; and,
Whereas, in the last annual message
OF the president of the United States to
NE two houses of congress it was stat
ca IN reference to that provision: 1t
Is not too much to say that this amend
ment has been of benefit only. and
could be Of benefit only, to the Grim
NAL classes. and it was further state
ed The chief argument in favor of the
provision was that the congressman
dld not themselves wish to be investi-
sated by secret service men, and IT was
further stated: But if this is not con-
Ndered desirable a special exception
could be made in the law, prohibiting
TIE Use Of the secret service force in in
'eSugating members of congress. 1t
would be far better to do this than to
go what actually was done. and strive
y prevent or at least to hamper eff
lecuVe action against criminals by the
and
Whereas. the plain meaning of the
eoo'e words is that the majority of the
eoosress1nen were in fear Of being in
Sugated by secret service men and
slat congress as a whole was actuated
" nat motive in enactins the provi-
son m question: and.
Whereas, your committee appointed
consider these statements of the
NsSdent and To report to the house
Hlel ind IN the hearing before COM
-a'ees nor in the records of the house
Continued on Page II.