The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-01-07
Chief SAYS HOUSE
misunderstood
Message to Lower Branch
on Secret Service.
BIG STICK FALLS ON FOUR
champions of Provision to Limit Scope
Of Investigators Are Raked Over
the Goals by Rooseveit-FederaI
sleuths Defended by Executive.

Sleuths Defended by Executive.
Washington. President RooseveIt's big
stick crashed down upon the heads Of
Representatives Tawncy OF Minnesota,
Smith OF Iowa sherley OF Kentucky, and
Fitzgerald OF New York. when the cxecu-
tive sent n special message 10 the house
OF representatives.. berating those solons
for being champions Of the successful
move 20 place limitations upon the scope
of the secret service
The president also declared that the
Interpretation OF tho house Of the secret
service clause In his last message was
misunderstood. and had there been any
evidence which would point to the neces-
sty OF an investigation OF members.
such evidence would long ago have been
turned over to the proper authorities.
The message was in answer TO the res
olution transmitted from the house In
which the representatives asked for evil
dcnce upon which Mr. Roosevelt based
his statements that the chief argument
in favor OF the provision was that the
congressman did not themselves wish TO
be investigated by secret service men"
For the Ananlss Club.
The message In part
II am wholly at loss TO understand
the concluding portion OF the resolution.
I have made no charges OF corruption
AGAINST congress nor against any member
Of the present house. II I had proof OF
such corruption affecting any member or
the house In any matter as 60 which the
federal government has jurisdiction, ac-
tion would at once be brought, as was
done in the cases Of Senators Mitchell
and Burton, and Representatives VIII
hanson. Herman and briggs. at differ
ent times since I have been president
This would simply be doing my duty I'm
the execution and enforcement OF the
laws without respect TO persons. But !
do not REGARD u as within the province
or the duties OF the president 20 report
10 the house alleged delinduencies' OF
members. or the supposed corrupt ac-
ton % member IN his Official capac-
ity' The membership OF the house II
hv the consultation placed within the
power of the house alone. In the prose-
cution OF criminals and the enforcement
OF the laws the president must resort TO
the courts OF the United States.
TN the third and fourth clauses % the
preamble u II stated that the meaning or
my words Is that the majority OF the
congressman are In fear OF being inves-
tigated by secret service men and that
congress as whole was actuated by
that motive in enscting the provision In
question and that this Is an impeach-
ment Of the honor and Integrity OF tho
CONGRESS. These statements are not.
think. in accordance with the facts"
mltunQcfbtOOus ne Gays.
This allegation In the resolution, there
fore. must certainly be due TO an entire
failure 90 understand my message.
"rhe resolution continues. That the
president be requested 10 transmit 10 the
house any evidence upon ehich he based
his statements that the chief argument
IN favor OF the provision was that the
congressman did not themselves wish to
be Investigated by secret service men"
This statement which was an attack
upon no one stiil less upon the congress.
IL sustained by the facts.
III you will turn to the Congressional
Record for May I last. pages b553 TO 5so,
inclusive you viii md the debate on this
subject Mr. Tawuey % Minnesota. Mr..
Smith % Iowa. Mr. sheriey OF Kentucky.
and Mr. Fitzgerald az New York appear
In this debate as the special champions
Of the provis!cn ref-yred 10. Messrs. Par
sons Bennett and Driscoll were the lead
ers OF those who opposed the adoption
OF the amendment and upheld the right OF
che government TO use the most efficient
means possible In order TO detect Grim
inals and 10 prevent and punish crime.
The amendment was carried IN the com
mittee Of the whole. whore no Votes on
tie individual members are recorded. 20
4 am unable to discriminate by mention
ing the members who voted for and the
members who voted against ;he provision.
but It's passage. the journal records. was
greeted with applause am well aware
however. that In any case OF this Kind
many members who have no particular
knowledge OF the point AT issue are con-
tent simply 20 follow the lead OF the
committee which had considered the mat
ter. and have no doubt that many mem
bers OF the house simply followed the
lead OF Messrs. Tawney and Smith"
Secret Service Is Defended.
After soundly demonstrating with Rep
resentatives Tawney. Smith. sherley and
F1tzgerald for their stand at the last
session IN favor OF placing limitations
Opon the duties Of secret service opera
tives. the president set about TO defend
the operations OF that branch Of the
federal government and declared that the
scope OF the department should be ex-
trernely wide I'm order that all criminals
might be brought 70 Justice and that
there might be no unjust determinations
He also pointed out numerous instances
where the powers Of the departn.s-' had
brought justice upon the heads OF crimi-
nails and cited cases within the memory
OF the present administration Mr., Roose-
welt also declared that none OF the NOM
bers OF the house had ever been invesu-
gated as set forth In various allegations.
the gist Of which was appended TO the
message.
Asks Reversal Of Action.