The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-26
MORE AID ASKED ID ERADICATE PESTS GeOrgia's Department of Entomology Effective LEGISLATOR TALKS Anti-Lobby Bill Would Not Prevent Lobbying-Secures Members
 Who do Not Wish To Be
 ImpOrtuned
TALKS

 other applications for increased appro- prjations, the house committee on that suhiett was asked this afternoon to give the state department of entomology ESQ., 000 for the years 1912 and 1913, for the purpose of fighting diseases of cotton. ag- ricutural and tree pests and taking steps to aatagonize and minimize the destruc- tive work of the boil weevil when it comes into. Georgia as 1t is expected to do with in the next two or three years
 This is an increase of s2o,00o over the appropriation for the last two years, but f~om all accounts it is an increase that appears to be well justified. The farmers, awakening to the dangers surrounding them, are strongly urging it, and what the farmer wants in the way of legislation he usually gets
 The importance of the work that is be- ing done under the department of ento- inoloey will be appreciated through a specific instance. AS the result of obser- vation 1t has been conservatively esti- mated by Dooly county citizens that that county alone has been saved more than S'o.0O0 6 year through the efforts of the department in fighting wilt or blackroot disease in cotton.
 The department has been devoting its especia attention to this disease so pre- valent in south Georgia, and also to an- lhracnose of cotton, two diseases which are costing the state several million dol lars a year
 The appearance of a new enemy has just been noted by the department, and it has gone to work upon it. This is the southern pine bug, which bores into the pine tree and destroys it. This insect now threatens the destruction of much val uable timber in the central and southern portions of the state
 I Q take successful hold of these evils of the fruit pests and to institute a cam paign worth the while against the boil wceNil. it has been conservatively esti- mated that the department cannot get along without sSo,000 a year. Some of the members of the legislature are hes itating about voting for it in the pres ent condition of the state treasury. but it can easily be shown that the state is liable to suffer seriously if some effective measGres are not taken to fight these ag- ricuitural pests and diseases.
 An interesting phase of the anti-lobby Ljil, which has just passed the senate and gone to the house, was discussed among 8 number of representatives in the Kim bali lobby today, when prominent Att lanta lawyer approached a weI-known m4mler and gave him some facts relative 10 bill which he wants to see put through.
 Isn't that in violation of your anti 9h5v bil?" friend asked, as the lawyer departed.
 NO, not at all," was the reply. T sent fer him..
 This brought on the discussion.
 ''rhe bill is not law yet. but sup pose fiat it had passed and received the governors signature" the legislator was asked, would member have the right to send for anyone he wanted to and talk over legislation with him? Could he sen6 for a railroad lawyer for in starce, and discuss with him bill in which his particular railroad might be vitally interested?"
 'There is absolutely nothing in the measure to prevent it." the member re- piled Any member of the legislature has the right to secure such information as he may wish regarding pending legislation to enable him to vote properly upon it. lie may secure this information from any source he wishes, and why wouldn't rail- road lawyers be good sources of informa ton regarding bill affecting railroads?'
 '"'heni there is no way in which to pre- vent lobbying provided the member is willing to be lobbied with?" was sug- gests5.
 None whatever,' the legislator an- swered. and l imagine if a case ever care uu under the law, it would be diff fcu!t to find the legislator who would nos aGmit that he had personally sent for the accused, if it were necessary to save httn from punishment under the law"
 linen what does the anti-lobby bill r1opose to accomplish?' was asked
 "Wty it will do this much good" was the rerly, "it will keep representatives Of coil oration and special interests off the floor cf the house and senate, and it will prevent them from annoying any member of either house who does not want to lis- ten to their arguments or importunites. Put with regard to so-called lobbying, cannot see that 1t will make any large or material difference.
 'if simply comes down to this-that 1t is put up to the members themselves. If they went to talk win any representatives Of special interests about any pending leg is,at,on. there is nothing whatever to pre- vent tfem from doing so; only perhaps, when a man is registered with the secre- tary of state as lobbyist the average iiember may be a little wary of being spo,, in his cOmDany"