The Washington herald., 1913-06-18
SENATE OBTAINS
LOBBY LETTERS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

it might ''be well to take advantage of
the unpopularity of the American Sugar
| Refineries Company" and accept re-
duction in the duty of refined sugar. while
efforts were made to keep up the duty
| on the raw product
Aaron Cove, from whom the commit
tee was unable to extract material testi-
mony when he was witness, wrote
many of the letters read yesterday and
was shown to have been employed as a
political agent. travelling in all parts Of
the country and getting in touch with
men who might have influence in Con-
gress. In one of his letters he states
that III. T. entertained them in New
York with. as l learn, good effect"
One letter, which raised hearty
laugh, from II. AZ Douglas, of Detroit.
20 c. c. Hamlin, suggests that Hamlin
should call upon Senator's Cummins and
Kenyon and try to influence their atti-
tude by stating that beet sugar fac
tory in Minnesota expected to extend
its operations into Northern Iowa. Sena-
tor Cummins Is a member OF the investi-
eating committee.
The publicity fight on the part OF the
American beet sugar interests is re-
viewed in an interesting letter written
December ., 1911, by Mr.. Hamlin to c. B.
Warren. at Detroit. The beet sugar men
were very much concerned over the lively
interest in the free sugar propaganda
which the publicity bureau of Frank {.
Lowry. of the Federal Sugar Refinery,
had started in the East. They were
anxious to counteract this interest. In
the letter reference is made to a good
many papers in the Middle West which
carried statements from the beet sugar
men, and also reference TO a 650-word
statement that had been sent out
through the Associated Press.
Il find that the Associated Press has
handled some of our stun in very good
shape" said the writer Of the letter.
He added a little later: while in
Indianapolis ] took up the matter of
publicity with the American Press As
sociation. This concern furnishes mat
ter for the country press. 1t is not pat
ented inside stun. but goes on the out
side of the paper as news. Am trying
it out in a limited way in Indiana, and
if successful there. believe we can get
a big line OF publicity at a very rea-
sonable figure in this manner"
Mr.. Hamlin's fear that the free sugar
people were getting the better of the
beet sugar interests in the matter of
publicity was again shown in correspond
ence between himself and Mai. Cove.
who apparently had rowing commission
as a missionary for the beet sugar people.
Hamlin wrote:
After our securing an agreement with
the Associated Press to carry $50 words.
the Eastern papers carried only about
twelve lines. Have written to Melville
Stone and asked that in the future the
beet sugar industry be given at least
equal treatment with the Eastern re-
finers."
Charles B. Warren, one of the beet
sugar manufacturers, did not approve
of too strenuous efforts to get the news
papers on the friendly side.
81 do not think well Of your idea of
writing all the papers that did not carry
your Associated Press story wrote
Warren to Hamlin. I'VE have found that
whenever a paper that is unfriendly to
the tariff generally, or to the sugar tar
if. is approached. the result is an un-
article. You probably will have
to rely on getting out what you can. and
not find fault when everybody does not
carry an interview" !
The law firm of Britten & Gray, OF
was frequently mentioned
as one in which the legislative interests
Of sugar were iDtrusted.
The committee will continue reading |
letters today. Secretary Overman said |
last night that he did not know whether |
those named in the letters would be SUBJ
poenaed to give further information.
Senator Reed is of the opinion that the
methods conclusively exhibited by the
letters have proved beyond question
President wilson's accusation Of an in
sidious" lobby.
The sugar lobbyists" who have been on
he witness stand listened to the reading
md were thoroughly incensed, declaring
hat their constitutional rights were being
Senator Colt of Rhode Island was ex-
Lmined by the Overman lobby inquiry
committee yesterday, but was unable to
i've the investigators any Information
bout a lobby in Washington.
He said his uncle, Daniel Colt, was
he inventor of the revolver of that
lame, but that the Senator personally
lad no interest in the factory. He said
le recently was the victim of a very
nsidious lobby while in Maine, where
he members of a Congressional body
rought various kinds of influence to
ear on the guides who were to award
prize to the best fisherman in the
arty. He used the incident to illustrate
is definition Of a lobby.
Senator William Alden Smith of Michi-
an was next examined. His testimony
;as viewed with special interest by the
ommittee because OF his radical attacks
4 the Senate on the free sugar doctrine.
Senator Smith said that the provision
, the sundry civil bill exempting labor
mons from prosecution by the use of
ny parts of the special fund OF $4,000
ppropriated for the Department CT JUS
ce was clearly the work of a lobby,
nd that Samuel Gompers, president of
le American Federation of Labor. had
, admitted to him.
The plate glass lobby was brought be-
IRE the committee yesterday for the
rst time. w. ]. strassburger, of Pitts
lrg. said that each of the twelve plate I
ass factories in the United States sent
to Washington. and. in
idition, employed ]. S. Auerbach, of
ew York, as their attorney. He de-
ared that the plate glass manufactur- s
s who are seeking readjustment of q
Ie tariff had spent no money except {
IT hotel bills, railroad fares, printing,
Id attorneys fees. Auerbach's fee was I
bout $1,000. Straussburger believed His
stimony that the plate glass manufac-
-ers want a fat rate OF % 1-2 cents per !
Iuare foot brought about a spirited !
lsh in the committee. IL
You want to increase the price of the
Dor mans glass and decrease that %
lie rich man." inquired Senator Reed 9
That Is not a fair question:" inter- I
ipted Senator Cummins. II protest {
yainst the witness being asked such @
Iestion. Any one familiar with the a