New-York tribune., 1909-01-05
PRESIDENT PRAISES
SECRET SERVICE
ASKS TH4T LIMITATIONS
BE REMOVED.
Denies accusing Congress Of Cor
ruption-SpeciI Message Re
ceiUed By House.
IFror, Tribune R,reau f,

sage replying TO the resolution calling him for
an explanation of the statements made in his
annual message concerning the Secret Service
received by the House of Representatives
to-day. Il heard with close attention, and
those vino took offence at his former statements
we're even more angry than before. Every mem
Der was in his seat. and the galleries were full
For the most part the message was heard IN
silence but at certain personal references and
81 the close of some Of the most forceful para
graphs theue was much laughter When the
reading was finished Representative Perkins. OF
New York chairman of the committee appointed
70 investisate the original statements of the
President asked that the message be referred
to his committee. Representative Griggs, of
Georgia. moved that it be returned 10 the Pres-
dent but he was hushed by his colleagues before
be had finished speaking. The message was
referred 10 the special committee.
The President insists that the House should
reverse its action Of last year limiting the work
of the Secret Service, and reiorates the state
rnent that all such Limitations can be of benefit
only 20 the criminal classes. In this he has the
earnest support of many members and the re-
enactment Of the paragraph which limited the
activities Of the Secret Service will not be ac-
complished without fight. The President de-
MES that he charged the present House or any
member Ct il with corruption, but he says that
several corrupt members might still be in the
House were IL not for the work of Secret Ser
rtoe The message recommends that the
service be placed under the jurisdiction of the
Department Of Justice, and that the salary Of
Chief Wilkie be increased from $4,000 TO 5000
q year. It denies the charge that there has
ever been any use OF the Secret Service for po-
IItical private purposes. and says that ex-
celleHt work has been done in connection with
pubc lands naturalization lottery silk opium
and other frauds.
The President says the agitation against the
Secret Service begun by L. W. Busbey. the
Speakers secretary, IN article written for
The Chicago Inter Ocean in which the charge
was made that Chief E-ilkie desired to become
the Fouche OF the United States" The respon-
sibilty for limiting the work Of the service is
placed or the shoulders of Representative Taw-
ney. Smith. of Iowa; Sherley and Fitzgerald,
while Representatives Parsons. Bennett and
TriscoT- Of New York, are mentioned as the
leaders of those opposed to these limitations
TIE work Of the Secret Service is reviewed,
showing the number Of criminals brought TO
justice by its activity, and in conclusion the
President says:
most earnestly ask, in the name of good
government and decent administration in the
name ot honesty and for. the purpose of bring
ing 10 Justice violators Of the federal laws wher
ever they may be found whether in public or IN
private life. that the action taken by the House
last year be reversed
FEELING NOT IMPROVED.
There is no doubt that the message has not
served 10 improve the feeling between the Presi-
dent and those who have taken exception TO his
statements While the latter are not numerous
they include some Of the most influential men in
the House. and If direct issue is raised it is
certain that the Presidents friends in Congress
viii have hard fight TO prevent the message
being returned TO him. This is the earnest de |
sire Of many Democrats, who feel that the |
President Is responsible for the practically in
vincble position Of the Republican party. It is |
improbable that majority of the Republicans |
would vote 10 censure the President in any way |
for mcst Of them convinced that he has |
acted with absolute sincerity. Then, too. the |
number Of those who are really angry at his |
message is practically limited to those who |
have had other occasions TO resent some action |
By the President have directly concerned /
themselves with the Secret Service question. /
Three courses ar said TO be open TO the com /
nittee- II recommend that the message be |
returned 70 the President; it can bring il before /
The House with recommendation that it be laid |
on the table, and il can recommend that it be- |
referred 70 the Appropriations Committee. |
Ether Of the first two would mean that the |
Seuss resents the Presidents statements and /
oeelines 10 accept them. The third course would |
mean that the Presidents ideas are concurred |
IN by the House Another possibility is that the
committee VIII take action. but let the sub
} t die e natural death
Mr. Perkins declined TO make any statement
Is 10 the probable course 10 be pursued He
taid, however that the House was in no better
nuEnor to-day than when the original message
Tss read. which leads to the conclusion that
us committee now, at least, purposes to bring
the matter before the House again. General
Keller, OF Ohio member Of the Appropriations
Committee said:
The President called us thieves in his annual
message, and now he shows that he believes
es fools. am in favor Of 'upholding the dignity
~ The House in a dignihed manner and our
fosicon before the country should be maintained
pg sGitable recommendation"
representative Kahn of California also said |
L vas she duty of the House not to let the mat
tT drop Representative Mann, OF Illinois, pro-
Vested that the President does not know how
!" make graceful apology while Representa-
ives Sherley and Smith said that they would
nake their replies in speeches on the floor. Mr.
oosoey, the Speakers secretary, explained his
S'tcle on the Secret Service by saying that he
was not employed by the government when the
article was published. having written ii before
4's association with the Speaker.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ne text Of the Presidents message follows:
% The House Of Representatives:
d nave received the resolution OF the House Of
representatives - of December IL, 1908 running
Whereas. there was contained in the sundry
wi appropriation bin which passed Con
tIesS al it's last session and became a law "A
9ORasiOn in reference 10 The employment Of
ne Secret Service in the Treasury Depart
nlent: and
Whereas. in the last annual message of the
of he init f.zsa ]