The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-09
New Channels of Inves-
tigation Opened Up by
Recent Grilling.
MORE SENATORS
TO BE QUESTIONED
Later in Week Some of Alleged
Lobbyists" Will Be Examined.
Underwood Bill Now Nearly
Ready for Senate Democra-
tic Caucus-Articles
on Free List.

Washington. D. c.. Juno s.--Neither
President Wilson nor tho Democratic
managers of the two branches OF Con-
sress could estimate tonight what ef-
fect the Senate's remarkable lobby In
vestiSation' is to have upon the pro-
gross of tho tariff bill. the currency re-
form plan, or other business OF Con-
greas.
In tho six days of grillins to which
II has subjected Senators themselves.
the investigating committee has se-
cured information and opened up chan
Dels OF investigation that are likely to
have an important influence upon the
whole course OF legislation In the fu-
ture. President Wilson'S charges that
Gn unusually largo lobby" was en-
gagged in trying to influence changes In
the tariff. formed the basis for the in
ouiry now under way: but it has run
far outside the scope of the tarifr. and
has brought the Senate committee up
10 the edge OF what is expected TO be
one of the most searching Inquiries
ever conducted into the question OF
Legislative Influences"
Direct Iasue In Fight.
Progress the tariff bill has not
been hindered during tile week by tho
lobby Investigations. but IL is believed
tonight. that before the reconstructed
Underwood bill finally gets into state
for debate the lobby investigation will
u
None of the alleged lobbyists" have
been questioned as yet; but facts
brought out by Senators on the wit
ness stand. and the course the, com
mittce has determined upon for the
future, mako IL clear that Congress
VIII be urged to consider:
A registration law, requiring every
lobbyist" legislative agent or other
person who comes TO Washington 20
influence legislation 10 a, once identify
himself and the interests ne repre-
eents
The condemnation and possible pro :
hibition. or the present system OF
manufacturing sentiment In n State
TO influence that States Senator'S or
Representatives upon any certain leg
islattve matter
The chief influence OF the lobby in
ouiry upon the present tariff revision
probabl will come in connection with
the sugar and wool fights around
which wage much of the forthcoming
tariff debate in the Senate. We'll or
ganized and extensive campaigns have
been shown TO exist on both sides OF
the sugar tariff question, and syste-
matic activity by TWO reported forces
have been testified 10 o. many Sena-
tors
For Support of Wilson.
President Wilson's friends in the
SENATE are gathering material AS the
hearings progresses TO support his free
sugar stand by an effort to show that
Louisiana. Hawaiian and Porto Rican
cane growers and American beet sugar
manufacturers have exhausted all pos
sible means 10 arouse public sentiment
against free sugar. Fully as vigorous
hght Will be made on the other side
TO prove from the testimony of the
lobby hearings, that cane sugar re-
fnora particularly the Federal Refn-
Ing Company. have been the bone and
low
would be the chief beneHciaries II Pres
ident WILSON'S recommendations for
free sugar in 1916 are carried out
Ssnators have talked freely OF their
ownership OF properties or oommodi-
ties that might be somewhat affected
by tariff changes. In the majority of
cages, however, they have insisted that
such ownership has never Influenced
their votes, and that they are not con-
cerned personally in any items of the
present tariff law.
From the attitude OF members of the
Senate committee. it is believed no re-
commentator will be made against
Senators voting upon schedules of the
tariff that might affect their interests.
Such prohibition would affect many
members, on one or more Items Sem
ators by the dozen have testified to
ownership of farms and newspapers.
and In lesser numbers to interests in
lumber, coal. papermaking, oil. cattle.
WOOL and manufacturing enterprises.
Resume Inquiry To-Day.
The lobby investigation will be re-
sumed tomorrow. with the questioning
of the remaining Senators. Tuesday or
Wednesday the probe will be carried
to the field of the so-called lobby
tariff, and men who have been enga eed
in presenting arguments to Senator's
or Senate committee or in conducting
publicity and "backfre" campaigns in
the different States in behalf OF any
tariff changes. Will he examined From
this stage the committee goes to the
investigation of lobbying activities OF
all kinds, and upon all legislation.
Opposition to the renewal of arbi-
tration treaties with Great Britain and
other countries has become SO acute
in the Senate that the new treaties re-
Gently sent III by President Wilson ap-
parently face indefinite delay, and pos
sible defeat. Another effort will be
made early this week to secure indorse-
ment Of the treaties.
The extra session was two months
old last week, and in that time the re-
vision of the tariff had been at least
half completed. The Underwood bill.
which passed the House as a, strictly
administration measure. has been in
the Senate more than a month, and
now is nearly ready for the Senate
Democratic caucus. This caucus prob
ably will be held next week, this
week being taken up by the final
meetings of the Finance subcomInit-
tees and the meeting of the full com
mittee to pass on the revised sched-
ules
Articles on Free List.
AS they Will go to the Democratic
caucus. the tariff rates will be the
lowest in history. and tho free list will
be the longest ever known, longer
than the list az 1t passed the House
- ffontdnMed ON Ninth pacAN -