New-York tribune., 1910-05-10
TAFT HALTS CONGRESS
Says Sugar inquiry by leglS'
latorS Is Inexpedient.
DUTY FALLS ON EXECUTIVE
A Congressional Investigation
Might Result in Granting In
munity to Offenders.

Washington. May e.-President TAFT sent
e speciai message to the House of Repre-
sentatives to-day 10 tell why he considers
q Congressional investigation Of the sugar
frauds in the customs service inexpedlent
II is because "a Congressional investiga-
rion al this time would embarrass the Ex-
ecutive Department in the continuance and
completion OF the investigation of the ap-
praisers' and other Offices Of the customs
service.
The President reply was 10 resolu-
ton passed in the House on April Il, cali
ing upon him to state his reasons fer not
wishing a Congressional investigation, as
he had intimated in his message at the
opening of the session
In making his answer the President
wrote:
The necessity for Congressional invesu-
eation arises. first, when an executive in
vesties-fon is either not in good faith or is
lacking in visor or when additional legls-
lation is needed 10 prevent a recurrence OF
the frauds
The primary duty, with respect 10
frauds in the executive service. falls upon
the Executive to direct proper executive
investigation. and upon the discovery OF
fraud and crime to direct judicial investsa-
ton 10 recover what is due to the govern
rnent and Of bringing TO Justice the guilty
persons.
The reports Of the Secretary of the Treas
urv and fhe Attorney General show De-
yond question the utmost visor ana eheC-
tiveness in the investigation and prosecu-
ton 70 10 this time and the achleNlng OF
excepfionaI results IN the recovery of
r71onevs of which the government had peeh
defrauded, the indictment of participants
n ~
customs service. with view TO the PfeNeh-
tion ri such frauds in the future
With his message the President sent a
.oinr reoort of the Secretary Of the Treas
urv and the Attorney General showing the
Investigation up TO date. The danger
of granting immunity TO any offenders
through Consressional investigation. the
President pointed out is still very grave
He referred 10 the case Of Helke, secFe-
tary Of the American Sugar Refining Conl-
pany. who was summoned before the grand
5ury investigating the sugar company al
legged connection with combination Vlolal-
ing the Sherman antitrust act, and VINO
rleaded immunity. While the supreme
Court refused TO pass on the question,
claiming il did not properly come oelore
IL, the President indicates that the point
Is left 10 be raised in the event Of con-
viction Of Heike.
If Congress were 70 investigate the
weighers' and appraisers offices Il would
have to 20 about getting just sucA expert
evidence as is now being gathered, the
President said, which will be sent TO Con-
eress as socn as the present investigation is
et an end
Ex-Representative II. P Hepburn. OF
Iowa, appeared before the House Commit
tee on Expenditures in the Treasury De
psrtnent to-day and related details OF an
investigation which as solicitor Of the
Treasury Department. he conducted INTO
affairs in the New York customs once IN
1891 in which investigation he discovered
conditions similar to those recently un-
earthea regarding the weighing OF sugar
Mr.. Hepburn's Investigations were MADE
during President Harrison $ admlnlstra-
ton. and there have been charges that his
reports were held up.