The New York herald., 1922-06-24
1t Now Is Pointed Out Even
President Cannot An
sWer Critics.
IDEA GREETED COLDLY
Senators and Representatives
Jealous of Their Rights
and Privileges.
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.


Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HHRALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. June %.
Congressional misunderstanding OF
the Administrators position on the
bonus and other projects has re-
vived agitation Of the plan to confer
legislative privileges on Cabinet mem
bcrs.
The persistency of members Of Con-
sress in misinterpreting. if not ac-
tually misstating. the attitude Of the
executive departments probably had
a great deal to do with the attention
paid to the matter by the Cabinet to-
day.
Attacks on Attorney General Daugh-
erty, Secretary Fall. Secretary Weeks
and several subordinate officials Of the
Government also contributed to the
discussion of the century old scheme
Many members Of both houses have
insisted on attributing to the Presi-
dent and members Of his Cabinet a
meeting which. was not justified by
the correct Interpretation Of the views
expressed. Criticisms Of Cabinet men,
bers have been exploited without CIV
ing to them an opportunity to explain
their acts or to defend their motives.
With a. view to eliminating. the en-
barrassment frequently experienced by
the Administration, members Of the
Cabinet are in complete accord on the
proposal that they be accorded legis-
lative privileges.
The subject was discussed at length
at the meeting of the Cabinet. Several
of the Presidents aids called atten-
ton to a bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Kelley (Kep.. Pa.), provid-
ing for participation Of Cabinet Off
GERS in the deliberations Of Congress.
Mr.. Kelley sent his bill to the Presi-
dent and the Cabinet with a request
for their views.
Improvement Foreseen.
It was the unanimous judgment of
the President and his aids that the
enactment of the Kelley bill would re-
move some of the causes for differ
ences of opinion between the executive
and legislative branches of the Gov
ernment and result in gratifying ex-
pedition of the public business.
Several members of the Cabinet pro-
posed notifications of the Kelley
measure, which is based on a plan for
executive representation in Congress
that las been frequently discussed in
both houses. The chief objection
urged against it was that 1t would
compel members of the Cabinet to ap-
pear twice week on. the floors Of
Congress. Official sentiment. however,
was favorable to the general purposes
of the bill.
Cabinet members privately expressed
the opinion that the admission Of the
leads of the. ten departments would
be helpful to both the legislative and
executive branches of the Government.
II was urged that no change in the
Constitution would be necessary, as
the rules of the House could be
amended to permit the participation OF
Cabinet officers in legislative delibera-
tons.
Congressional comment on the plan
did not reflect any great amount of
enthusiasm. While the necessity for
closer cooperation was admitted by
tie leaders of both houses many OBJ
iections were urged against 1t. The
most important of these naturally was
based on the resentment reflected by
legislators against executive ventures
that are interpreted to impinge on the
M varivi1oOoc af Con-
grese, of which Senators and Repre-
sentatives are exceedingly jealous.
Outcome Is in Doubt.
Whether the plan for giving to Cab
met members the right to defend them
selves from such attacks as have been
directed against Mr.. Daugherty, Mr..
Fall and Mr.. Weeks will receive favor
able consideration In Congress is a
matter Of speculation. 1t is quite prob
able that the agreeable view of the
Kelley scheme, shared by the President
and his advisers. will provoke wide
spread discussion Of 1t In Congress.
1t certainly will find supporters
among legislators who believe that a
great many Congressional undertake
ings are prompted by lack of informa-
ton or misinterpretation of the execu-
tive policies. Whether the benefits
involved will outweigh the prejudices
of members against executive inter-
ference" is another matter.
The proposal to extend to members
of the Cabinet the privilege of par
ticipating in debates of Congress has
been agitated at intervals since 1870,
when permission TO address the House
was denied to Alexander Hamilton,
Secretary of the Treasury. Some of
Hamilton's champions asserted that
the members of Congress at that time
were afraid of him.
The privilege of addressing the lower
house was accorded to Gen. Knox. Sec
retary of War. in 1889. but 1t was in
his capacity as envoy of President
Washington. who could not appear.
For more than a century Presidents
resorted to written communications in
presenting their views on pending leg
islation and reporting on the state of
the nation.
President Wilson caused sensation
by announcing before his Inaugural
ton in 1913 that he would depart from
this custom and address Congress in