The Washington times., 1913-06-01
SENATE MUcKRAKING THE SENATE.

Inc latest muckraker OF the Senate IS the oen-
ate. 1t is going to investigate itself, and has had
prepared, through committee, list of searching
questions to be asked Of its members. Every blessed
Senator to 60 on the stand and tell what he knows
about lobbying and lobbyists and how much interest
he has in the production of things affected by the
schedules.
Much amazement has been expressed in some
quarters where memories short, at this extraor-
dinary' proceeding. 1t isn't extraordinary. The
Senate did exactly the same thing to itself in 1894,
while the Wilson tariff bill before it. Moreover,
it did it with special reference to charges of wicked
and corrupt operations of sugar lobby, and charges
that Senators specializing in sugar stocks while
the sugar tariff was under consideration.
Senator Lodge, on that occasion, introduced the
resolution and Gray of Delaware was made chair
man of the special committee conducting the invest-
CATION. Then, as is proposed to do now, every SEN
ator was summoned and every one testified. The
committee took and published over 1000 pages Of
testimony, copies Of which have become marvellous
scarce in recent time. It was that inquiry which
brought out lot of details about the operations Of
Senators in stocks. One Senator told moving tale
Of how he wrote a telegram to New York broker,
ordering some sugar stocks bought for his account
just for amusement; not because he really meant it
or intended to send it. He laid it down and forgot
it, and fool butler found and lugged it off to tee
graph office! The broker bought the sugar, and the
Senator deeply grieved to find that he had made
profit on it!
That Senator is not with US now. II is to be said
that not little good came of that inquiry. II :er-
tainly did no harm, and it developed a good many
Illuminating facts. Moreover, it was the beginning
of the business of undertaking the Senate. At times
that body has tired somewhat Of the SPORT and per-
chance may have indulged secret wish that it hadn't
started the game But the game went on, and it led
to the elimination Of good many men who repre-
sented the old-school view of propriey in the busi-
ness activities of the statesman.
good many incidents of those old days are
mighty interesting to recall. For instance, Nelson
W. Aldrich was always firm supporter of the sugar
tariff at the highest point possible. He made the
6ght for the high duty at one time won it, and the
next year became president Of q company that con-
so1idated the trolley lines of Rhode Island at big
profit John E. Searles, then secretary of the Amer-
can Sugar Refining Company, appeared as director
in that company!
Four years ago-that isn't so ancient that we may
be quite that it represents different epoch in
public morals-Mr Aldrich fixed the rubber tariff
to reduce the duty rubber and increase that
on manufactures of rubber. Then after the law
was passed it became matter of public knowledge and
wide publicity that Mr.. Aldrich of the very
biggest stockholders in gigantic rubber company
producing the raw article and selling it to manufac-
turers here!
Those little details are always interesting to the
prurient public. Senatorial introspection is ever a.
psychological process which commands attention. It|
will do so again this year. But it isn't stunt,
and President Wilson and Senator Cummns, in fore
ing it, are not making a precedent That excellent
and very pat Republican, Mr. Lodge, gave them their
precedent