The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-31
SENATE TO PROBE CHARGE.
WILSON'S WARNING AGAINST
LOBBYISTS STIRS SENATOR'S.
senator Cummins' Resolution Calls for
Committee of Five to Determine
Identity of Persons EndcavOring to
Secure Changes i'm Tariff Bill

Dehalf OF desired changes in the tariff
bill was brought to the notice of the
senate today through resolution by
Senator Cummins demanding an i'm
mediate investigation by a committee
of five senators to determine the iden-
tty of all persons who had made ef-
forts to present arguments or bring
influence TO bear in favor of changes
in the tariff law. A similar resolution
was introduced in the house by Rep
resentative Tavenner of Illinois.
Senator Cummins attempted to get
immediate action on his resolution,
which would authorize the greatest
investigation of sO-called lobbying"
ever undertaken by congress.
Senator Gallinger at first objected
to the resolution as absurd Later
he withdrew his objection, but on de-
mand Of Senator owen the Cummins
resolution finally went over for one
day without action.
The proposed investigation would
require all senators TO give names of
persons who had appeared or written
them in interest Of tariff changes;
would request President Wilson to
furnish names of persons referred to
in his statement yesterday that n great
and powerful lobby was at work, and
would authorize the senatorial COM
mittee to determine whether the ac-
ton of any lobbyist who might be dis
covered was proper Or improper
1T is absurd 10 demand that the
names be given Of men who have
talked with senators aLGut the tariff
bill" declared Senator Gallinger.
Men are here who have a right 20
be here, because they represent the
gerat interests of the country that are
imperiled by proposed changes in the
tariff. To call them lobbyists is alb
surd." .t'
Senator Cummins declared ne had
presented the demand for an investi-
CATION because members of the senate
had been put in q very "unenviable
position.
Il recognize the right of any inter
est affected by present legislation to
offer evidence" he said. Il do not
know that any lobbyists are here.
None has approached me. But we
have tariff bill before u.s. A great
many men are here, / suppose, for the
purpose Of putting legitimate argu-
ment before the senate and it's COM
mittees affecting that legislation.
Now it is said by the highest au-
thority, that a lobby Of great pro-
portions, employing means Of the most
insidious and illegitimate character
Is engaged in the effort to secure
changes in the bill as now proposed.
The public has been led to believe
and will believe that if any changes
are made they will have been done
by their influence. %~.
Il don't know what lobbyist Is.
If ii is the man who appears to make
legitimate arguments / am for him.
But the public has a right to know
what influences are surrounding the
senate of the United States; to know
who is here and who is attempting
by argument, by influence or by per-
suasion, To change the tariff rates"
The fight over the lobby resolution
ended abruptly at the objection OF
Senator owen. The presidents pub
lie statement of yesterday had brought
an earlier comment in the senate from
Senator Thornton, one Of the Demo-
cratic senators from Louisiana, who
opposed the presidents free sugar
programme. Commenting on steps
that Louisiana sugar interests had
taken to secure certain information
which he presented to the senate. ne
said:
II suppose this is what some people
would call insidious lobbying,' but il
is what we consider an earnest and
legitimate effort to try and save a
large part of our state from this i'm
pending blow"
An echo Of the Cummins resolution
was heard shortly after it was laid
aside, when Senator Lippitt Of Rhode
Island asked Chairman Simmons of
the finance committee when the SEN
at" might expect to get the material
IN the shape of briefs. Senator Sim
mons replied that one book of briefs
probably would be available tomor-
row.
Senator Iippitt referred to the
seemingly almost organized attempt"