Evening journal., 1914-03-18
NOW SENATE
IS PEEVED
Leaks as to Happenings in
Executive SESSIONS Cause
RumpuS
KERN DEMANDS
AN INVESTIGATION
BY BURTON X. STANDISH.
written for the United Press. }

AANNNA AAA AA4k ANnAAi4 AiNHsI
WASHINGTON. March Is. - The
United States Senate is peered
with itself. The annual rumpus
about leaks" as to happenings in
executive sessions has just been stag
ed. There was grave debate about
the matter the other day.
The question of leaks" from the
executive sessions has been peren-
nial ever since there was a Senate.
A humorist here is credited with the
epigram that the only reason the
Senate adjourns its secret sessions
is in order that members may have
an opportunity to talk the session
over with newspapermen. The wri-
ter recalls vividly how a number Of
years ago the late Senator Heyburn,
of Idaho, made an impassioned and
indignant appeal to Senators not to
talk about executive sessions-refer-
ring to a piece of news which Hey
burn himself had given the writer.
following a secret" session. Hey
burn was perfectly honest about his
protest-he didn't realize that he had
let the news slip-but his is the at
titude of most of the Senator's. Hem
ry Cabot Lodge, of Massachusetts,, is,
however, wise" to the newspaper
boys.
These correspondents are trained
men," he told the Senate. "They get
point from one Senator, a point
from another and then piece il to-
gether. They talk with Senators
about public questions and gain their
point Of view. Then, with the frag-
20, frf g..
are able to put together a PLAUSIBLE
story"
Reverting to Heyburns protest
again: the Idaho Senator made his
protest in open session and then
when the Senate got down to execu-
tive business, he got up and said
some bitter things. A newspaper COR
respondent with a sense of humor
made it his business to father the
gist of Heyburn's argument. and the
next morning the Idaho solon was
astounded to note that his speech in
the executive session was reported in
full. Then he made his famous speech
recommending that the Senate press
gallery be abolished.
Senator Kern is the man most ex-
ercised now about the leaks. He has
introduced a resolution demanding an
investigation by the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee of how the news
papers get their Information. other
senators favor making 1t a crime for
newspapers to print news of happen
ings in executive sessions.
A serious complication arising out
of the race question is anticipated by
army officers when the amendments
to the so-caled army "Manchu" law
becomes effective. Major Charles
Young of the Ninth Cavalry, a colored
man, is the complication. According
to the "manchu" amendments, Young,
and every other army officer will have
to serve four years of every six with
troops in the field. In Young's case
this will entail his occupying ma
jor's quarters in various barracks.
Usually such quarters are contained
in one Of a row of three houses pro-
vided for those of the majors rank.
Thus far the War Department has
succeeded in giving Young, who is a
West Point graduate. various detach-
ed details, thus preventing any breach
because of his close association, in
barracks. with brother officers. But
these detached details will not be pos
siblo under the Manchu law amend
ments
Thus far the race question has
never been a serious one in the army
J owing to the reorganization Of white