The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-06-15
Our Washington Letter.

OUr w okSA1A&SSoA A%OSN~Ae
(By Clyde H. Tavenner. special
washington correspondent to The
Repurter.)
Washington, June 9.-That the
FARMERS" principally interested in
killing reciprocity are Wall street
farmers" whose crops consist chef
" of lumber aud paper trust divi-
dends. was revealed in testimony
taken before the senate finance con-
1nittee.
It was shown that Allen and Ora
ham, alleged attorneys for the Ma
tional Grange, are really professional
lobbyists for the big tarlH trusts.
Their argument when seeking busl-
ness is that they can pull the neces-
:sary wires in Washington to defeat
or bring about the passage OF any
LEGISLATION they may be. assigned
upon.
Mr.. Allen was made to admit un-
der cross-examination that the anti
reciprocity literature with which the
agricultural districts have recently
been flooded came direct from the
lobbyist headquarters within
stones throw of Wall street. Mr..
Allen also admitted that the Amerl-
can Lumber Manufacturers associa-
ton Qumber trust, paper trust and
wool trust, respectively are among
those who pledged themselves to Il
nance this holy crusade among the
farmers.
Allen and Graham have among
their clients some of the best farm
-ers" in Wall street. The firm was
shown to have represented as lobby
lists, the Whiskey Security Co.,
(trust) and the Standard Oil Com
pany, which interests lobby together
in Washington, and the latter or
which organization is headed by John
D. Rockefeller, who is big OIL
farmer"
Commission APPLY Named.
It is known now why Senator Al
drich calls his lame duck commls-
sion a monetary" commission. II
is because it spends so much money.
The Monetary commission, &C
cording to a report filed by the treas.
ury, has expended f207,13O.4S OF
the peoples money ON European
travel, meetings at famous summer
resorts, on manuscripts, BOOK trans
lations, monographs and members
salaries, and it hasn't as yet begun
to think of quit spending. Several
lame duck senators recently appoint
ed who were not in on The European
trips, and they will no doubt insist
upon getting their Slice, as Ben
Tillman used to say. Aside from the
expenditures noted, the report con-
tains various insinuating entries
that read, account clerical force and
persons in attendance on commits
sion.''
The European trip cost S1S,25O.1S.
Il was a nice summer trip and any
body who has travelled with COOK
party will tell you that select little
party of a half dozen can make
mighty fine circuit of the continent
on $19,25O.18. The account is not
itemized beyond this statement. In
deed, Senator Aldrich has fixed 1t so
the commission can spend any
amount of money it desires without
questioning anyone, and without
giving a detailed report to anyone.
Senator Aldrich is not hampered by
any formalities whatever. He has
only to reach into the treasury, get
money and sign receipt. 1t 1s ap-
palling to contemplate what would
happen to the treasury If all COM
missions and departments OF the gov
eminent should be permitted to en-
ploy such loose business methods as
daily practice.
3 AS a fresh-air fund to promote the
recuperation of lame ducks. the COM
mission is manifestly big success.
TO this end witness the meeting OF
the commission at Narrangansett
pier in July, 1909. 1t takes none
tary backing to go to Narrangansett
in July. The bill was $3,493.74.
\ And Senator Cummins, Of Iowa, is
heartless enough to say that the
4 com mission is absolutely useless,
and ought to be abolished. r.
The Cat is Out Of the Bag.
Soon after President Taft entered
the white house movement was
started by members Of congress to
bring about q congressional investi-
cation Of the sugar trust. II Vas not
q partisan movement. Senator Borah