Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-25
VOICE FOR CABINET
in CONGRESS URGED
Hughes lndorses Kelly Bill Ex-
tending Right to Join
Debates
AVERT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
By a sta1 co-tespordert

Washington. July 25.-Strong m
dorement Of the proposal to give Cab
met members voice in congressional
debates Is expressed by Secretary OF
State Hughes in letter addressed to
Representative Clyde Kelly, Of Pitts
burgh, responding to an inquiry Kelly
addressed TO each member of President
llarding's Cabinet.
Representative Kelly is author Of a
bill extending THIS right to the cSecu-
specifying regular days and hours for
Cabinet attendance.
This Is the position taken by Secre.
tary Hughes:
Referring to the particular meas
ure you have introduced. permit me
to say that l approve Of Section /. Civ
Ing the privileges Of the floor of the
Senate and House OF Representatives
to the members Of tine Cabnt with the
right to participate in debate on mat
ters relating TO the business Of their
respective departments under such rules
as may be prescribed by the Senate and
House. respectively.
Opposes Compulsory Attendance
II do not think it necessary or adj
u tue ultcUuuUcp D1
members of the Cabinet Such attend
ance as may be appropriate may be
easily arranged through rules that are
agreed upon.
The separatcness Of the Executive
power under our system, while Il has
advantages which have been deemed to
be of controlling importance. deprives
the Executive Of the opportunities open
to parliamentary leaders Of rarticipa-
tion in parliamentary debates"
Official communications are maze u,
the President In the discharge of his
constitutional duty. The Department
Of State. which is the instrumcntalty
Of the Executive in connection with
foreign affairs, makes it's public an
nouncements. The Secretary of State
appears before committees from time to
time and gives the information that
is asked, but there is lacking the di.
rect personal relation to the discussions
of the Senate when foreign affairs are
under consideration.
The Secretary of State acting for
the President, may negotiate an i'm.
portnnt treaty. but he has no sppor.
tun!ty to explain or defend il upon the
floor Of the Senate when it's provisions
are under debate. The knowledge which
IS at his command is communicated in
formal writing or merely to those mem
bcrs who sit upon the Appropriate Com
mittee.
Aid in Foreign Affairs
There are numerous situations in
which an opportunity for the Executive.
through his department chiefs. TO ey
! plain matters of policy would be of the
greatest aid in securing an intelligent
judgment.
Il should not favor a change in the
distribution Of power or any modifica
tion Of the practice which would en-
courage the notion that the Executiv,
is responsible to the legislative brancf
Of the Government in matters whicl
under the Constitution are exclusivel,
Of executive concern. I should also de
plore any method 10 contrived MS T.
facilitate antagonism between the FIX
ecutive Department and legislativ
leaders, or which would merely provid
opportunities for the censorious.
But speaking in my private ca
pacity and expressing only persona
opinion. / do believe in multiplying tn
facilities for appropriate CO. operation
between responsible leaders, who under
stand their respective functions, in
matter suited to the full discussion o
great international questions whel
these fall within the constitutions
competency Of the Senate