Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-24
TSnecial 10 The Herald

SACRAMENTO. Jan. 23.-At a hear
ing recently before a committee of the
house of representatives a stranger
asked to be permitted to speak on the
bill under consideration. Apparently
none of the representatives of rail-
roads or other interests" present knew
him.
When asked by the chairman of the
committee whom he represented he re-
piled "the people, The congressman
laughed uproariously at the unexpected
response.
, Il am sorry we can't spare you any
time" said the chairman curtly. There
are number of gentlemen here rep
resenting special interests affected by
the bill, and what time we have must
be devoted to them
For years, away back to the begin
ming of legislation in California, the
Southern Pacific railroad and other
special interests have been repre-
sented at Sacramento during sessions
of the legislature.
The professional lobbyists employed
by these interests have been accorded
every possible courtesy at the hands
of the men in control of the legislature.
These lobbyists have been admitted to
the floors of both houses. They have
been accorded a welcome that was al
most royal.
During the thirty-seventh session,
two years ago, notorious lobbyists sus-
pected of having employed question
able methods not only had free access
to both floors, but on occasion mingled
freely with members during the taking
adrrsx- - -
commonly called.
One Fine Spectacle
- One of the edifying spectacles Of the
thirty y-seventh session was the daily
promenade from the state capitol to the
leading hotel of the city Of Warren R.
Porter lieutenant governor.
Flanl1ed on each side by such pow
erful figures as those of Jere Burke
and George Hatton-hiS person sup
ported by theirs-the lieutenant-gov-
ernor might be seen almost any day
after adjournment ambling downtown
until one of the members of the SEN
ate with a little more temerity than
some of his fellow-members, made some
remark that reached the ears of Mr.
Porter.
On the first day Of the present ses-
sion some of the familiar railroad lob
byists put in an appearance, according
to time honored custom, evidently pre-
rared for the resumption Of the tactics
fiagrantly pursued for years past.
But somebody suddenly discovered
that the people had established a legis-
lative bureau and took the message
down the line.
The peoples lobby" hundreds Of
newspapers throughout the state called
it, and the name still sticks. The term
set the lobbyists of the special inter
II r&nr1 1v1k
Governor Porter thinking, too.
Tive been thinking about that rule
against lobbying he said, about the
second day of the session, to one of the
best known of the newspaper corre-
spondents. Its a pretty good rule. I
think I'll enforce it,"
Then Comes the New Rule
Last week drastic anti-lobbying rules
were adopted by both houses. They
are essentially the same, providing
among other things that no person en-
gagged in presenting to the legislature
of it's committees any business shall be:
permitted to engage in such business
during sessions, or be permitted on the
floors during sessions.
Any person transgressing the rule
shall be removed from the floor and be
debarred from the privilege of the floor
during the remainder Of the session.
Supervisor Joseph Kelly of Oakland,
reputed to be interested in the efforts
of the race track gamblers to kill the
Otis bill abolishing this evil, occupied
a seat last Tuesday with Assemblyman
John w. Mott under the eyes of Speak
er Stanton.
On the same day the peoples legis-
lative bureau addressed identical notes
to Assemblymen Feeley and Wheelan,
as follows:
ffrrII-- =
agnized chiefly for the collection and
dissemination of accurate information
regarding legislation, and the attitude
Of the members of the legislature there
on, notes that you are recorded as hav-
ing been absent when the roll was
called on the motion to re-refer the
Otis anti-race track gambling bill As
our record is intended to be permanent
and will be placed in the hands Of all
the newspapers and civic organizations
throughout the state, we wish to ask If
you have any objections to furnishing
us the reason for your absence, so that
we may enter it upon our record"
Peoples Secretary Barred
The next day, upon complaint of Mr.
Wheelan and upon motion Of Assem-
blyman BeardSley, George B. Anderson,
secretary of the peoples legislative bu-
reau, who also is special correspondent
for a number of newspapers, was di-
rected to keep off the floor of the as
sembly chamber and out of the gallery
pending investigation of the complaint
against him.
And all because he sought, in behalf
of the people of California, reasons
for the absence of two members of the
Legislature during the rollcall on an
important issue!
The secretary of the peoples legisla-
tive bureau has explained to inquirers
that his request for accurate informa-
ton was presented as much for the
protection of the absentees as for any
other purpose.
But Mr.. Wheelan of the absentees
seems to have regarded himself as
under fire and seeks vindication.
Mr. Anderson was paIInd haf0rn fna