The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-28
MAY INVESTIGATE
LOBBYING CHARGE
(Continued From Eirst PAGAN

Continued From First Page.)
vestisation OF so-called lobbying ever
undertaken by Congress
senator Gallinger at first objected to
inc resolution as absurd" Later he
Withdrew his objections. but on demand
o., OK senator owen the Cummins reso-
tuition finally went over one day with
out action.
Proposed investigation.
The proposed Investigation would re
qulre all Senators TO give names of
persons who had approached or written
.hem In tho interest OF tariff changes:
would require President Wilson to fur
me ish names OF persons referred to in
MS statement yesterday that n great
ana powerful lobby was at work and
would authorize the senatorial com
m'ttee 70 determine whether the action
OF any lobbyist who might be discov-
ered was proper or improper
1t Ia absurd to demand that tho
names be given of men who have
talked with Senator'S about the tariff
Dill, declared Senator Gallinger "Nen
are mere VINO have right to be here,
because they represent the great in
,t OF the country that are imper-
ne lreo oy proposed changes in the tariff.
10 call them lobbyists Ia absurd"
Senator Cummins declared he had
presented the demand for an inyesti
cation because members of the Senate
hhd peen put In very "unenviable 20
sition." ~
II recognize the right Of any inter
est aHected by pending legislation to
appear ana offer argument" he said.
90 not know that any lobbyists are
mere. None has approached me- But
we have a tariff bill before us
Now, 1t liz said by the highest au-
.norits that lobby of great proper
lions. employing means OF the most
insidious and illegitimate character. is
engaged in the effort to secure changes
70 the bill as now proposed. The pub
TIC has been led to believe. and will
believe. that II any changes are made
they VIII have been due to their in
1uence.
don't know what lobbyist Is. If
II is the man who appears to make
legitimate arguments. / am for him
But the country has a right to know
what influences are urging the Senate
OF the United States. to know who Is
mere, and who is attempting by argu-
ment. by influence. OF By persuasion, to
change the tariff rates"
The fight over tho lobby resolution
ended abruptly at the objection OF SEN
ator Owen The Presidents public
statement OF yesterday had brought
an earlier comment In the Senate from
Senator Thornton. one of the Demo-
cratic Senators from Louisiana who
opposed the Presidents free sugar pro-
gram.
Commenting on steps that Louisiana
sugar interests had taken to secure
certain information which he presented
TO the Senate. he said:
Il suppose this is what some people
would call insidious lobbying but It
Is what we consider an earnest and
legitimate effort TO try and save
large part of our State from this i'm
pending blow"
An echo of the Cummns resolution
was heard shortly after it was laid
aside, when Senator Lippitt. OF Rhode
Island. asked Chairman Simmons, of
the Finance Committee, when the SEN
ate might expect to get the material
being presented to the subcommittee
in the shape of briefs. Senator Sim
mons replied that one book of briefs
probably would be available to-mor-
row.
Senator Lippitt referred to the
seemingly almost organized attempt"
to stihe information in regard TO the
tariff bill. One report, he said. was
that those who came to Washington to
TESTIFY in reference to the schedules
had been threatened with Hanging as
nigh as Hannah" while another said n
million dollar fund would be raised to
investigate those who testified