The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-06
STOP LOBBYING
VIII the Practice Ever Be
Broken Up?
That Is Question Washington
Is Asking.
FORMER EFFORTS HAVE FAILED
Congressman Miller Had Bill
Killed by Committee.
Vic Murdoch Got IS for Job of
Twenty Years Ago.

Washington, Feb. els lobbying a
legitimate practice and will it ever
be broken up? These are two ques-
lions which people and the politicians
have asked themselves many times,
but which have not yet been an
swered. Former Congressman James
NJ. Miller of Kansas once introduced
a bill to prohibit lobbying in con-
gress, but the measure never got any
where out of the committee to which
1T was referred.
Efforts of various kinds to prev ent
the button-holing and harassiug of
legislators have failed Congressman
Charles b. Smith of Buffalo. who en-
joys the distinction of having been
nominated on two tickets and elected
by one majority proposes to force
lobbyists to register
Mr.. Smith is a strong believer in
the efficiency of publicity, having
been first class newspaper man be-
fore he entered politics. Publicity is
a sure cure for many evils and the
publication of the name of a lobbyist,
when there has been a scandal in
connection with legislation, destroys
the usefulness of that particular lob
byist. There is considerable doubt
as to whether the registering of lob
byists would be an effective remedy.
Many would not register, and would
he highly indignant to be classed as
lobbyists, although they are of the
who work in the dark, and bring the
influence of friends to bear upon the
legislators. Registration may be
partial cure, but not a complete one.
Any one whose interests are affect
ed by proposed legislation properly
should and does have the right to
present his side of the question or
TO employ some one else to promote
his interests in an open manner and
through the committees of congress
and the legislatures. But promotion
should stop there and to approach
the member of legislative body for
the promotion of legislation should
be punishable by a heavy fine.
The most obnoxious class of lobby
lists are the former members of the
senate and house of representatives
who by reason of their service in
congress are entitled to the privileges
of the floor and may enter the leg
islative chambers during the sessions
Many of them do not hesitate to exer-
else this privilege and frequently lit
orally camp on the trail of the mem
bers.
One of the most fragrant cases of
this kind occurred when Speaker Hen
derson presided over the house. The
lobbyist, a former member was i'm
pOrtuning members of the lower branch
of congress SO openly during the roll
call on the measure in which he was
interested that Speaker Henderson Sus-
pended the proceedings and ordered
the offender removed. When former
members become lobbyists they should
automatically be deprived of the privi-
leges of the floor.
Senator Charles Curtis has submitted
an amendment to the sundry civil bill
proposing an appropriation of s., 900 to
complete the sidewalks, curbing, etc,
around the new postoffice building at
Clay Center, Kan.
Plans for big banquet to be given
to Uncle joe Cannon, former speaker
of the hous-, in recognition of his
th4rty-eight years service in congress,
were practically completed ct a meet
inE of Republican and Democratic
congressman yesterday. 1t is planned
that more than 500 persons will attend
the banquet. which will be given about
February 15- The committee on ar
ira1lIldc tho