The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-24
AS OUR BILL SEES
Hon. VIM. Hackney TestiffeS
About Ship Subsidy.
Brands Opponents as Ignorant
or DemagOgues.
READY FOR QUESTIONS
Tells Mr.. Garrett Why He Put
in Stinger.
Talks of Wine Suppers But Gives
No Names.

Washington, May 24.-Members of the
house Who are opposed to ship subsidy
legislation learned things about them
selves from William P. Hackney of
Winfield, Kan Mr.. Hackney had been
summoned to appear before the Steen-
erson investigating committee to tell
what he knows about lobbying IN con-
gress to prevent the passage of ship
subsidy bill He was entirely accommo-
dating.
Every man in the United States
said he, who opposes the principle Of
ship subsidy is an ignorant ass, ar
urprincipled deD1agogue or the paid
hfreling of baleful Influences
Anything else?" asked Representa-
tive Garrett of Tennessee, a member of
the committee.
"Oh, put that stinger in merely to
challenge your attention" replied the
Kansan.
Hackney Is Frank.
rs it intended to be vituperative or
instructive?" inquired Mr.. Ralston, one
of the attorneys.
Goth"
Mr.. Hackney was asked specifically
to testify concerning certain state
ments in a pamphlet he published in
which he charged that "baleful and vi
cious influences" had prevented the
enactment of a ship subsidy law. These
influences, he had said penetrated the
sanctums of magazine and newspaper
editors and the halls of congress. In
fact, he had not hesitated to denounce
everybody who opposed ship subsidy
legislation as corrupt. He also re-
ferred to wine suppers and other
things supposed to be features of a
perfectly equipped lobby. The COM
names of the persons who had been
bribed to oppose subsidy bills and facts
about the wine sunpers. But Mr..
Hackney gave no names or dates or
figures. He said he had nothing of
the sort. He had based his statements
entirely upon an analysis Of the condi-
tions.
Mr.. Hackney proved the most enter
tanning witness the committee has
heard. All of those who listened to his
statement agreed upon this point. He
used such vigorous language and dis
cussed so wide a range of subjects that
the committee decided it would have to
hold an executive session with the
stenographers' notes before it to deter
mine how much of his statement could
be placed in the record. Particularly
was he anxious to let the committee
know of his views of Republican insur-
GeTrcy. He only partially succeeded ow-
ing to the combined efforts of members
OF the committee and the lawyers in
| terested in the hearing.
when this congress was about
ready to take up ship subsidy he said,
"what were the influences that sprang
upon the house the question about the
rules, that destroyed for the time be-
| ing all efforts at legislation? II is a
cardinal rule among those who repre-
sent special intarests and who intend
| to defeat legislation for the people
after all other expedients have failed
to spring some new question, foreign
to that which they have in charge,
thereby those inimical to them are d.
vided. Thus they accomplish their
purpose. Is there any man who does
| not know that the conflict over the
rules of the house was inaugurated by
such vicious Influences"
Mr.. Hackney also told of the activi-