The times., 1899-03-13
A RICH LOBBY SESSION.
How Promoters OF Legislation Reap
ed Substantial Rewards

Denials to the contrary notwithstanding,
it is reported on good authority that more
of the Governments money fell into the
hands of professional Congressional COM
mittee attorneys during the recent session
of Congress than at any previous session
for many years. The business of gettins
Legislation through Congress, be it claim
grown musty with age or an appropriation
for public improvement in which local
contractors are Interested is very Iucra-
tive. OF course the promoter of any par
ticular legislation does not reap his re-
ward unless he is successful. The claim
ant who employs him does so on shares,
as IL were.
1t would seem to be good business policy
and. in fact, it is the usual method of
procedure-fOr a person who has interests
dependent upon the uncertainty of legisla-
tion before Congress to employ "A repre-
sentative who is on the ground knows the
intricacies of legislative etiquette. and in
cidentally has personal acquaintance
among Legislators His duties are to put
in word here and there at the right place
and time TO see that the Legislation is in
the proper form. whether bill resolution
or amendment, and in general 10 inform
its Legislative champions upon its merits
and give them arguments with which TO
meet possible objections
This tas't 10 the average individual pre-
sents innumerable difficulties and when
he desires to obtain something at the
hands of Congress he is Immediately con-
fronted with vast labyrinth OF confusing
and unfamiliar rules, written and unwr l.
ten. He must appear before numerous
committees Senate and House and con-
ferees, and il is then that h turns for help
to the practitioner before this legally un-
recognized bar.
The annual harvest of this class of at
torneys Is generally reqped On the "Omni-
bus Claims bill d" which provides for the
payment Of claims allowed by the Court
of Claims under the Bowman and Tucker
acts, and which annually carries large
amounts This year nearly Two million
dollars will be distributed according To In,
terms of this bill prime pally in the States
of Maryland. West Virginia Tennessee.
Mississippi and other Southern Sta es.
One claim OF 1924, 600 goes to Pitt sburg
The Southern Pacific claim, amounting
TO nearly a million and "A half is one
which will yield large revenues to com
mittee attorneys This calm was one
that has grown old since il was first intro
duced at the Capitol, and it is an inter
estng fact that within twenjy-four hours
after it was allowed the money was paid
out or the treasury 10 SatlsIy IL.
Another annual measure "h'ch is yearly
becoming more productive for legislative
experts is the river and harhor appro-
priation bill. As Is we'll known. this meas
ure carries appropriations for river and
harbor improvements in all Parts of tn
country. The work provided for is gen r
ally done by contract. and there il a grow
ing tendency among contractors who are
looking for this class OF wo.k to sze thi
the interest in part ,cu,ar improv smen;s is
not allowed TO lag or die out
Several Of these committee attorneys
have acknowledged mi kirg at the :essoa
Just passed sums ranging from $4,000 to
$3.50 O0O. and the prevailing expression
among their ranks Is that they have had
a good season.