The Washington times., 1913-07-21
LOBBY HUNT CLEARS
HALLS OF CONGRESS
Little Fellows" Flee After
Watching LaWmaking for
YearS-Aim at Graft.

Effects of the lobby hunt already
are perceptible about the Capitol In
dications are they will be visible for
a good while to come.
1t is the opinion of most observers
that whether there is legislation or
not the lobby investigation and the
inquiry into the Mulhall charges is
going to accomplish a great deal 1t
will clear the air about the halls of
legislation and will serve to center
public scrutiny on the conduct of men
in Congress more closely.
One effect observable already is
that there has been a scattering from
the Capitol of number of the little
fellows among the lobbyists. Some
familiar faces of men who have hung
around the Capitol for years keeping
sharp eye on legislation are missing.
This may mean that they have van
ished to keep from being quiEzed by
the lobby committee or that they have
permanently taken their retreat
Aim At Committees.
The policy of most of the special in
terests who nave been working here
for years to shape legislation has been
TO a large extent to try to shape com
ntttees to their liking. For instance,
the n. A. NJ. was active in trying TO
get its friends on the House Judiciary
Committee and on the Labor Commit
tee. Protected interests busted theni-
selves trying to get their friends On
the WAYS and Means anc Finance Com
nittees The railroads have watched
ike hawks the Interstate Commerce
committees. Railroads concerned in
har nf he mails have
watched the Postoffiee Committees. In
terests concerned with the public do
main or any phase Of its resources
have tried to get their friends on the
Public Lands Committee, and so 1t has
gone
1t is not to be supposed this sort of
thing ic dead. Nor is there any mo-
nopoly of it within one party. The lob
by investigation is not going to pre-
vent II, but, for the present at least,
with public feeling aroused, it is goinS
to be more difficult to put through
schemes for the leading of committees
SO as to promote or block legislation.
Lawmakers On Guard.
Senators and members OF the House
have been put on their guard against
the political danger there is in getting
exposed to the charge OF having yielded
to the lobby of any special interest.
Just now, al least, the lobbyist or repre-
sentative of a special interest who is
trying to ply his trade In Washington
had hard shedding.
Another tendency OF the lobby probe
u to intensity the opposition to petty
graft at the Capitol. A good deal of
extravaganza is being Topped OF, as,
for instance. the luxury Of the Senate
bathrooms, against which Senator Ken
yon protested. The inquiry of the Sen
ate Committee on Contingent Expenses
into the telegraph tolls which Senators
are taxing to the public funds Is an in
dication Of the fact that stricter Views
of conduct are obtaining and are being
enforced.
Graft In the House.
One of these days the House will be
forced to give up that ancient and
wioely-condemned system of graft |
whereby It is made possible for a House |
member to pocket all or part of the !
clerk hire the Government allows him. |
The system will be established of put !
ting the clerks on the rolls and having !
salary. 1t will not be made possible !
for a member of the House to draw the |
full pay for clerk hire. pocket part of !
it, and pay a meager salary to some !
young woman or boy to do the men, |
ber's clerical work.
This sort of thing has been many |
times assaiIed as one of the pettiest !
and cheapest forms of graft about !
Washington. II still obtains, but, in |
the general upheaval of sentiment
against whatever is questionable relat-
ing to methods about the national leg
islature, ii is doubtful II it can stand |
up much longer.