The Washington herald., 1909-01-06
HOUSERETORT READY
Reply to Presidents Message
Expected To-day.
TO EXPUNGE OBNOXIOUS TERMS
Final Meeting OF the Perkins SPe-
ciaI Committee to Be Held This
Afternoon, at Which Time 1t VIII
Be Decided In just What Form the
Report VIII BE Presented.

It viii be known for a certainty to-
day just what the House Of Representa-
tives intends 10 do in expressing its re-
sentiment over those portions Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's message in which he
declared that the activities OF the Secret
Service were curtailed because Of fear
on the part Of members OF Congress that
they would be investigated
The special committee appointed 10
guide lie House in this matter held
meeti-s yesterday. but without result
Another meeting viii be held this after
noon. at which a final decision viii be
reached as 20 the form of report 10 be
made 10 the House
The House is In an ugly frame OF
mind over the Secret Service row, and
present indications are that action will
be taken that will have sting in it.
There are four courses open to the
House: Il may pass a resolution censur-
ing the President for his scandalous in
situations against members; it has the
privilege Of laying the objectionable mes
sages on the table: it may expunge the
Objectionable language from the record.
or Il may return the messages 20 the
President
Censure Not Intended.
Il is known that the committee has no
intention Of reporting that a resolution
Of censure be passed. Neither is it ex-
pected that the committee viii suggest
that the messages be returned 10 the
White House
The prevailing opinion is that the
special committee viii either recommend
that the fessages be laid Oh the table
or that the objectionable language be
expunged from the record. It developed
yesterday that Democratic members OF
the special committee forced the hand OF
their Republican colleagues whereby a
resolution was offered calling upon the
President TO furnish the House, the in
formation upon which he based his
charges against members Of Congress.
Chairman Perkins. It IS declared.
favored a resolution striking the obnox-
i0us language from the record. Repre-
sentative Williams, a minority member
of the committee. insisted that the
President should be called upon for an
~ A'ltlL4ataoA ttAtlE t-c E1pG-r Ntoh liIaA
action in the matter. The President
sent in an explanation that did not eX-
plain So Il IS Up 20 the House 70 do
something 20 save lis face
Whatever the inclination Of the special
committee Is. there are a lot OF angry
men in the House who will not permit the
Secret Service scandal 20 be CLOSED over.
The debate upon the report which the
committee viii make is expected 10 be one
Of the liveIiest witnessed IN the lower
branch Of Congress for many years. Pent
up anger viii be let loose. and the Pres
ideut VIII be the target.
Representative Walter / Smith, who
was made a member Of the Roosevelt An
anias Club IN the Presidents message OF.
yesterday. IS loading Up for a speech.
1Ir. Smith is a bad man when aroused
and he is aroused now as never before.
Representative James a. Tawney, chair
man Of the Committee on Appropriations,
Is another addition 10 the Ananias Club
who viii have something to say about the
President when the opportUne time pre-
sentS itself 1IT. TaWuey was not pres
ent when the message was read in the
House Monday, but the Minnesota mem
Der saw il just the same.