Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15
Some Methods Which Are Criticised
by Local Stockholders.
RAIDMADE UPON CORPORATEEARNINGS
Resistance to Be Made to the De-
mands Of Lobbyists.
AN ALLEGED INFLUENCE

As has been stated in The Star, there
has been, and is now, more or less talk In
regard to the consolidat ton of corporate in
terests in this city in several lines of bust
ness. A great deal of TIE comment heard
no doubt originates from the speculative
spirit which is always more or less promi-
Lent, and then there is some of it which
is more solidly based on statements which
allege greater economy of The admins
tration when one corporation performs the
same business which is now done by sew
eral.
Growing out of the general discussion is
the current gossip in regard to the admins
trative expenses Of various corporations.
and In this connection an item is fire.
quently mentioned which it is said repre-
sents the amount expended in procuring or
preventing legislation.
1t Is generally understood that moro or
less money is expended for this purpose
a!tnough there are corporations which are
nkely to be yearly affected by legislation or
which need legislation that are said to get
aions without the expenditure of money for
TINS purpose except to meet the proper ex-
penses OF accredited agents who do leSiti-
mate work in appearing before committees
of Congress.
Tax for Lobby.
On the other hand. there are corporations
and this is the subject of considerable
complaint-that are subject to what may
be called tax for the purpose of maintain
ing lobby. 1t is claimed representations
are made that in order to secure even meri-
torious legislation ii is necessary to pro-
vide certain members of Congress with
money.
1t is said mer. who claim to exercise in
huence at the Capitol and who assert that
they either control votes or know how
such Totes can be controlled, call upon the
officials OF corporations and assert posi-
tiNeLy that nothing can be done unless
theS are supplied with money. 1t is, of
course, represented that the corporation
must not appear in the matter not even
TO the persons supposed to be influenced
so that perfect reliance must be placed
upon the agents that the money intrusted
to them Is expended for the purposes con-
temDlat ted.
Deceiving Outsiders
1t is claimed that capitalists from other
places who have. become interested in en-
terprlses here are especially subject to be
deceived by such representations, and that
while In some cases they have given Gre
dence to such statements, yet in other
cases the claims Of the lobbyists have not
been recognized.
mad experience in urging legislation before
Congress that practically the only profit
Which accrues from the corrupt use of
money is enjoyed by those who have the
handling of the money.
Or the part of stockholders and others
who are interested in corporations, where
1t is asserted money is being spent for this
purpose, there is decided feeling that
such items of expenditures are not neces-
ssry, and it is said that 1t is likely that
changes in management will take place
rather than a continuance of the policy or
allowing a tax of this character to be
made upon tie earnings of corporations
1t is not claimed that any very large
sums OF money are expended in this way.
but 1t Is quite certain, judging from the
current talk. tina. there is decided revolt
against the encoura cement of the methods
of men whom, 1t is asserted, pose as pro-
motors of legislation, and in this way
make their entire living or a portion of it
levying tax upon the earnings of cor
pora lions in the District