New-York tribune., 1921-12-28
HouseP ePrepared
To Curb Steel
Box L tablicity
Prompt Consideration Is
Promised TO Measure TO
Prevent Commercializa-
ton of Public Documents
Gerard Episode Recalled
Porter Declares Such Prac-
tices Create Bad impress
sion of the u. s. Abroad
From The Triounc's Washington Bureau

from The 1ribhnCS Washington Hurcnu
WASHINGTON, Dec 27.-Spccdy
consideration will be given by the
House Foreign Affairs Committee to
any measure introduced next week,
when Congress returns from the holi-
days, seeking to curb the commerciali-
zation of government documents by
former officials. Chairman Stephen
Porter declared tonight:
eve will take UP the resolution
which Mr. Begg, of Ohio, proposes to
present as soon as he asks for hear
ing" said Chairman Porter. Nothing
would give me personally more pleas
ure than to impose a criminal penalty
for private exploitation of state mat
ters.'
The resolution which Representative
Begg said few days ago he would
introduce would call to the attention
Of Congress the announcement that
"The New York Times" is to publish
serially for one year former President
Wilson'S The Secret Minutes of the
Big Four and the Council of Ten, hith-
erto seen only by the heads OF govern
ments and by q few confidential ad-
visers." If not possible to restrain this
alleged misuse of papers which it is
contended properly belong to the State
Department, Mr.. Begg purposes to pro-
vide legislation which Will forbid a re-
currence.
Bad Impression Given Abroad
Chairman Porter of the Foreign Re-
lations Committee declared emphati-
cally his belief that such activities by
former high officials We're seriously
"hurting" the United States abroad.
He said his attention had been called
ut various times during the last three
or four years to the injury done the
International standing Of this country
in this way.
Representative Porter spoke with
particular feeling about the effects
/ of former Ambassador to Germany
| Gerards commercialization of his Off
cial interviews and contacts with the
former German Kaiser after his re-
/ turn to this country.
Mr. Begg's proposal is good lead"
| Mr.. Porter added. "Something should
be done to stop the practice which has
grown up surprisingly all over the
world in the last few years.
There is at the same time, of course,
J the question, DO we want to advertise
our lack of national ethics by passing
such law"
The Foreign Affairs Committee natu-
rally, when it takes up the Begg res
/ oluton, will consider the character and
form of the present law now, operating
in Great Britain as a restraint upon
public officials. Mr.. Porter indicated
he would take any steps necessary to
obtain an official copy OF the Jaw and
/ other data bearing upon the question.
Old Law Is Recalled
Attention was called in some quar-
/ ters to-day to law passed by the SD
| Congress to prevent frauds upon the
/ Treasury Of the United States. Some
contended that its provisions cover this
! case, although others believe it could
not be made to apply because the
papers MIR. Wilson has are copies OF
! the original minutes which are in the
possession of the State Department.
The part of the Law providing penaltl as
for destroying or removing governmeA-t It
suggested is now applicable says
"Section 5-And be it further enact
ed, that any officer having the custody
of any record, document, paper or pro-
ceeding specified in the last preceding
section OF this act, who shall fraudu-
lently take away, or withdraw, or de-
stroy any such record, document, paper
or proceeding filed in his Office or de-
posted with him, or in his custody,
shall be deemed guilty of felony, and
on conviction in any court of the
United States having jurisdiction
thereof, shall pay fine of not exceed
ing $4,000 or suffer Imprisonment in a
penitentiary not exceeding three years,
or both, as the court in its discretion
shall adjudge. and shall forfeit his Office
and be forever afterward disqualified
from holding Office under the govern
ment of the United States"