Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-07
townsend Must be Spe-
cific if He Expects an
Answer.
PEOPLE LEFT TO JUDGE
President Declares He viii
Exert All His Influence to
Pass Tariff.

Washington, d. C., June 7.-Sena- /,
tors on the lobby Investigation com
mittee we're Of the opinion today that !
Senator Townsends sensational
charge that President Wilson himself
has virtually been lobbying for the
tariff bill would not be taken up by
the committee as an issue unless
some specified charge were made. Un.
less those are presented the commit
tee VIII not likely follow up that
phase. The committee was in recess
today preparing for next weeks work.
White house officials professed 10
be undisturbed by Townsends charge
and II was said the president would
not take a stand TO make a personal
answer unless a specific charge was
made against him An official declar-
ed Wilson was confident the people
of the country would take the posi-
ton that he is representing them in
Washington and had a right 70 use all
his influence for legislation promised
in the democratic platform. II was
denied that the patronage club" had
been welded to keep senators in line.
TOWNSEND DETAILS THE CASE.
Senator Townsend insisted that the
activity OF the president in support
of free wool and free sugar amounted
10 undue influence" even though he
did not use the big stick of pat
ronage.
"As the term lobbyist is generally
understood" Mr.. Townsend said, and
as believe il was used by the presi-
dent in his recent on
which this investigation was founded,
Il means one who tries to secure or
prevent legislation by the use Of
means that are improper; by the offer
or payment Of money, the granting or
Withholding of fayors by insidious
threats of political opposition, by the
use OF patronage or the giving of
political rewards. ] know of no i'm
proper lobbyist of that kind.
"The nearest approach TO undue in
fuence exerted on members OF con-
gress, ! believe, is the influence eX-
ercised by the president and by the
use and power of the party secret
caucus"
ASCRIBES COi:HCION TO WILSON.
do you mean TO say that is lobby.
ing?" demanded Senator Reed.
"A lobbyist is a man who attempts
TO influence legislation against the
honest conviction, the conscience and
the notions of duty Of the legislator
said Senator Townsend. Because c!
the insinuation that a lobby exists to
influence them TO vote for amendments
they believe in. think some senators
will refrain f.om so voting. This,
believe, is coercion
"You believe there IS a species Of
lobbying from the executive, as vel
as from the outsider" asked Senator
Cummins.
"Yes, sir, have no doubt abou
f." replied Senator Townsend. Il d,
not blame the executive any more
than any other. II seems to be Tath
er popular nowadays.
KNOWS OF No PATRONAGE
Democratic leaders have been re
ported as saying: This Is 90 be
matter the president must decide. ant
in order TO be a good democrat. an,
receive the proper amount of patron
age, and not perhaps be opposed, yol
must support the party measure
do YOU know any human beinl
who can say as a matter of fact tina
President Wilson has either withheld
or given appointments to AFFECT III
vote OF any man in congress demand
ed Senator Reed.
mo. / do not. I know only wha
papers said Senator Townsend.
Senator Cummins said he intende
20 insist before the hearings are owe
that President Wilson furnish the con
mittee with facts or information o
which he based his statements OF III
sidious lobbying"
Installation OF a telephone in th
presidents room at the capitol toda
stirred senators 70 a keener appreci;
ton than hitherto that i, is possiol
that they might expect Wilson
their midst any moment OF the IA.
on the presidents last visit 10 IN
capitol he obtained a key TO his rooI
so he might come and go wheneve
he pleased, without notice. Wilso
motored to Virginia today 70 play gol
TAFT VISITOR.
Former President Taft made b
first visit to the White house toos
since he left March Z, TO become
private citizen. He was a luncheo
guest OF President and Mrs. Wilsol
but before he sat down 10 the Viii
house table again he made a brit
visit TO the executive office and shoe