Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-04
TAFT WITHHOLDS RECORDS
Committee Cannot See Books Contain
ing Item Certified by Roosevelt.
WHAT BECAME OF 81, 900 BALANCE
Artist Paid for Painting Days Pic
ture from the Emergency Fund
secretary Knox Acts by
Instructions.

WASHINGTON, June "A controversy
over the executives right to withhold con-
fidential papers from a congressional prob
ing committee was precipitated today by
the refusal Of Secretary OF State Knox, on
the instruction OF President Taft, to place
before the house committee on expenditures
IN the state department books showing
the record OF the payment for the portrait
Of former Secretary of State Day.
The committee is seeking to discover
what became of the s., 500 balance of the
s.. $50 voucher drawn for the payment OF
the portrait Artist RosenthaI received only
$50 for his work and the Sl,6Oo is unac-
counted for.
The president held that the g, $50 was
aid out of the emergency fund for unfor-
seen emergencies in the diplomatic and
consular service and for extending dipIo-
matte intercourse with foreign nations
which congress had provided need not be
accounted for II the president certines that
an item should be paid from this fund
President Roosevelt had made a noufi-
cation and President Taft hesitsted to go
back Of that notification.
Would Reveal other Items.
Furthermore, Secretary Knox explained
70 the committee. it was. improper TO pro-
disclosed items Of expenditure would be re-
vealed. Secretary Knox said he was directed
to complete his investigation into what be-
came Of the money and to report the facts
to the president.
Chairman Hamlin of Missouri threatened
TO take the matter TO the floor Of the house.
A eolloquy between Hamlin and the secre-
tary finally resulted in the suggestion that
the chairman might be allowed personally
to inspect the particular record. This course
probably will be followed.
Mr.. Hamlin questioned Secretary Knox
closely as 20 what qualification there was
for paying for a portrait out OF a secret
fund set aside for unforeseen emergencies
and for extending diplomatic Intercourse.
Mr.. Knox said II had been the practice
since 1880. He informed the committee that
no trace had yet been found of the g. $50
voucher which Mr. Rosenthal said he signed
in blank after receiving the $50 personal
check Of former Chief Clerk Michael. now
consul general to Calcutta
Knox Writes to Taft.
Secretary Knox in his letter to President
Taft, dated today, said;
This expenditure was covered by q regu-
lar certificate issued under and pursuant
to the authorization of section 81 OF the
revised statutes. Inasmuch as a compli-
Ance with this summons in the matter OF
producing the records containing state
ments regarding this voucher would be to
place before the committee accounts which
have been certified to by one OF your prede-
oessors, President Roosevelt, as not proper
under section 81 to be made public. have
to request your direction as TO what my
action In obedience to this summons shall
be-"
President Taft in his reply said that in
view OF the facts and circumstances and
that the emergency fund expenditure for
this period have, under the express au-
thority OF congress. been certified by Secre-
tary Hay for my predecessor. President
Roosevelt, as being of such a character
as ought not TO be made public, feel that
nothing but some extraordinary circum-
stance would justify me in directing you
TO take such records before the COMMITTEES
named, because the discretion thus exer-
cised under the statute should. In my judg-
ment in general be conclusive and binding
upon this point"
Secretary Knox, who was secretary Of
state about the time the portrait was paid
for viii testify next Tuesday as 20 what
he may know about the case.