The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05

about 5000 words, written, as I was informed and now understand, by MT. L. W. Busbey, at that time private sec retary to the speaker of the House. I inclose a copy of certain extracts from the article. market Appendix B. It con- tained an utterly unwarranted attack on the secret service of the treasury de- partment and its chief. The opening paragraph includes, for instance, state ments like the following:
 He (the chief of the division) and his men are desirous of doing the secret de- tective work for the whole government and are not particular about drawing the line between the lawmakers and the lawbreakers. They are ready to shadow the former as well as the latter.
 Then, after saying that Congress will insist that the men shall only be used to stop counterfeiting, the article goes on
 Congress does not intend to have a fouche or any other kind of minister of police to be used by the executive department against the Legislative branch of the government. It has been so used, and it is suspected that 1t has been so used recently. The legis- lative branch of the government will not tolerate the meddling of detectives, whether they represent the President, cabinet officers, or only themselves. Congressman resented the secret interference of the secret service men, who for weeks shadowed some of the most respected members of the House and Senate. When 1t was dis covered that the secret service men men were shadowing congressman there was a storm of indignation at the capitol and the bureau came near be- ing abolished and the appropriation for the suppression of counterfeiting cut off, At another time the chief of the secret service had his men shadow congressman with a view to involving them in scandals that would enable the bureau to dictate to them as the price of silence. The secret service men have shown an inclination again to shadow members of Congress, know ing them to be law makers, and this is no joke. Several of the departments have asked Congress for secret funds for investigation, and the treasury de- pertinent wants the limitation removed from the appropriation for suppressing counterfeiting. This shows tendency toward Foucheism and secret watch on other officials than themselves.
 Secret Service AssaIled.
 At the time of this publication the work of the secret service, which was thus assailed, included especially the investigation of great land frauds In the west, and the securing of evidence to help the department of justice in the beef trust investigation at Chicago, resulted in successful prosecutions.
 In view of MT. Busbey's position I have accepted the above quoted statements as fairly expressing the real meaning and anmius of the attacks made in general terms on the use of the secret service for the punishment of criminals. Further more, in the performance of my duty, to endeavor to find the feelings of con- gressmen on public questions of note, have frequently discussed this particular matter with members of Congress-; and on such occasions the reasons alleged to me for the hostility of Congress to the secret service both by those who did and by those who did not share this hos tility. were almost invariably the same as those set forth in MT. Busbey's article. I may add. by the way. that these al- legations as to the secret service are wholly without foundation in fact
 But all of this Is of Insignificant in,- portance compared with the main the real issue This issue Is simply Does Con- gress desire that the government shall have at its disposal the most efficient instrument for the detection of criminals and the prevention and punishment of crime. or does it not? The action of the House last May was emphatically an action against the interest of justice and against the interest of law-abiding peo- pie, and in its effect of benefit only to lawbreakers am not now dealing with motives; whatever may have been the motive that induced the action of which speak. this was beyond all question the effect of that action Is the House now willing to remedy the wrong?
 For long time contented myself with endeavoring to persuade the House not to permit the wrong, speaking informally on the subject with those members who, I believed. knew anything of the mat ter. and communicating officially only in the ordinary channels. as through the Secretary of the Treasury. In a letter to the speaker on April 30, protesting against the cutting down of the appropriation vitally necessary if the interstate conn merce commission was to carry into effect 
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