The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-09
Special House Committee
Will Investigate Al
legged Deals.
PADDED ACCOUNTS
is ONE OF CHARGES
Unanimously Pass the ResolutioD
introduced by
Tswney.

A sensational aftermath of the un-
limited rebuke heaped upon the
head of President Roosevelt IS a re-
suit of his criticisms Of Secret Sev-
/ ice legislation came in the House to-
day when Chairman TaWney Of the
| Appropriations Committee intro
duced a sweeping resolution calling
| for an investigation Of the operation
| of the Secret Service.
There was no opposition to the
/ resolution, and it went through
without a dissenting vote.
Smiths Charges.
MI Tawuey was prompted to this ac-
tion by some or the revelations disclosed
in the speech made yesterday by Repre-
sentative smith Of Iowa. in which he
charged that payrolls we're padded. per
jured vouchers were submitted TO ac-
count for expenditures beyond that
which Congress had intended, and many
other alleged irregularities in the CON
duct OF the department
The language Of the resolution is such
that the most secret operations Of the
Secret Service viii be laid bare. and the
frame Of mind OF the House is such
that this branch of the Government is
certain to be probed TO the bottom
VIII Dig Deep.
The committee viii not cnIy call upon
Chief WIlkie to explain his pay rolls
and other expenditures but also viii
compel him to submit for examination.
all private papers in his possession deas-
ing with his department. and also %
submit TO the committee FOR examine
tion the departments secret archives.
Speaker Cannon has not Yet appointed
the committee members. but it is ez-
pected that Mr. Tawuey, because Of his
knowledge Of the subject, will serve as
chairman.
Among the Secret Service men who
are employed by Chief Wnkie without
legal authority. according to his own
repeated statements, are the two who
are detailed to guard President Roose-
welt Tt also is probable. although not
matter Of record. that the Secret
Service men who have been with Presi-
dent-elect Taft since his election are
also employed by Chief WHde Illegally.
Wilkie Is Authority.
Chief NViIkie himself is authority for
the statement that the employment or
these bodyguards for the President
made it necessary for him to make out
false certificates each month. This Is
disclosed i'm q letter written TO Mr.
Smith by Chairman Tawney, relating 10
Chief wilkes appearance before the
Committee on Appropriations during the
consideration or the suudry civil appro-
priation oil ar the last session
Mr.. Tawney says that wilkes stats
menta were not taken down by the
stsnographer at that time because of
the request made by the chief, but he
has a distinct recollection that 8ir.
WiISie said. that he was obliged TO
falsely certify TO the pay roll, by stating
that they were employed in the service
authorized BY iaw.'
Mr. Tawney further writes that he in
formed Mr.. Wiude that his request
to be relieved from this false
certidcatiou was a reasonable one.
.Nvhereupon." writes MI Tawney. MIR.
WiII,ie stated that if this WAS done he
would be relieved from the necessity or
committing perjury every month when
he signed the pay roll for the men TINS
detailed"
The Resolution.
Representative Tawuey's resolution -
as follows:
Resolved. That the Speaker IS su-
thorized to appoint a select COMMITTEES
OF five members whose duty it shall ia
to inquire and report TO the House at
its present session, as follows,
.First-What appropriations vsrs
made AT the FIRST session OF the sixu-
eth Congress for the nscaI year laoa
that could be used 10 prevent FRAUDS
iu and depreciation upon the several
branches of the public service. includ-
ing the protection OF public lands and
their products from fraudulent entr.-
or appropriation and TO spprehend and
punish persons charged with violation
of the laws of the United States. also