New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-18
ttron The Tribune Bureau

MAKING SPIES.-The ultimate effect OF
most Of the investigations being conducted
by the committees Of the Democratic House
promises 10 be evil instead of good. There
is an obvious rivalry between the chairmen
OF the committees. each of whom Is seek
ing to make a reputation for thoroughness
and as a manufacturer of campaign ma
terial AS q consequence. the operations
Of the several federal departments are be-
ing raked over with the keenest scrutiny,
a process which might do no harm and
might even be attended by some measure
Of beneft. were IL conducted with dignity
and common sense. and not attended by
this unfortunate rivalry. AS the invest-
cations are being conducted. however. they
are furnishing opportunities for every dis
charged or disgrunted government en-
ploye TO state his grievance. Every charge
that is preferred is received with the most
cordial welcome. and he who makes II is
for the nonce. hero. even though his
assertions are subsequently proved TO he
haseless. Paul Prys" are at premium.
and. worse than this, the revelations or
Democratic employees are creating difficult
ties for the more conservative and de-
pendable brethren and 10 a serious ex-
tent undermining that reform in the civil
service for which recent Presidents have
so earnestly striven. The Republican bu-
reau chief who is put 10 infinite annoy
ance and trouble 10 disprove the baseless
revelations" Of a subordinate whose de-
sire 10 serve the Democratic party has APP
parently outstripped his Judgment. If not
his sense OF truth. would not he human
lila
again 70 put a Democrat in a position or
trust The Cabinet officer who has made
promotions solely on a merit basis and has
thus advanced members Of the opposite
party 10 places If responsibility, only to
be confronted with the fact that some
OF those so preferred have been prompt
10 place party allegiance above pride In
the bureau or the department in which
they serve can hardly escape the con-
clusion that the effort 70 disregard party
allegiance in the civil service IS mistake
That these results are following the Demo-
cratic Investigations OF the federal de-
rartments must be obvious 10 AL in close
touch with the situation in Washington
Then too inspired by that perennial hope
which IS essentially Democratic, there are
certain government employees who sin
Cerelv believe that the next administra-
ton will he Democratic. and some Of these
imagine that they will curry favor with
tho incoming powers by furnishing ma
terial 20 the House COMMITTEES at this time.
These Investigations are doubtless inev-
table. but sane and dignifed attitude on
the part Of the chairmen and a determine
ton 70 ascertain whether or not the
49, a~p
worthy Of investigation and the attendant
pul Hcity before such employees are put on
the stand would e far 10 obviate the evils
now resulting
4 CASE IN POTNT.--The charges pre-
ferred before the Committee on Expendi-
lures in the Navy Department b. j. W.
Lucas and T. IS. Sims alleging that Pay
master Merriam had had a motor boat built
- the Washington navy ward for which he
had paid some such ridiculous sum as $50
that there had been no inventory OF the
property al the Boston navy yard for seven
Years. and that there was a shortage OF
IS. 600 i'm electrical supplies. etc, were re-
ceiyed by the committee with an interest
which amounted 10 avidity. and we're widely
heralded in the press The Navy Depart
nlent issued a categorical denial Of all these
charges TODAY Its statement says fur
Their. Mr. Lucas was a bookkeeper at the
Washington navy yard. denoted for in
efficiency after having been repeatedly
tried IN various positions. who resigned re-
Gently. Mr. Sims is a bookkeeper in the
same ward. who mas frequently been sus-
pended for intoxicatiOn and the use OF
drugs. and was recently dismissed for the
ne reason. but reinstated a the earnest
request Of friends who impored for one
more chance for him. The motor boat
alleged e have been built in the navy yard
was built in private yard on the Pacific
Coast. and after being shipped here by
freight at the expense OF Mr.. Merriam was
supplied with some extra fittings az an &C
tual cost for material and labor II SIS a.,
10 cover which Mr.. Merriam deposited $50
The other charges. as might be expected.
are equally far from the truth. II IS no
secret that Democratic Senator's are thor
oughtv Disguised with the manner in which
he House tnvestige tons are being con-
lrcted. and while they are unwilling TO be
cuoted. they frankly assert that the various
.bairn1en Of these investigating committees
arc provtrg nothing but their own in
competence. and that their investigations
are making the party ridiculous. As one
Senator nut II. they are far too obviously
seeking sensations rather than facts.
THE PANAMA BONDS.-Although II IS
still TOO early 10 ascertain definitely the