Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-05
We HAVE FOUND A
DANGEROUS LOBBY.
OVERMAN AYERS
No Personal Appeal to Senators,
but Misrepresentation to
Deceive Public.
OUTSIDE WITNESSES TO
BE CALLED NEXT WEEK
Chairman Has Decided Views
on Such recommendations
as Senate Should Have.

WASHINGTON, June 5.--The Sem
ate lobby investigation has already
disclosed the activity of powerful
lobbying interests of a new charac-
ter was the opinion expressed by
Chairman Overman, of the commit
tee, after this mornings session.
We have developed thoroughly the
fact that there is powerful and con-
certed lobbying" he said. 'It is not
the personal appeal to senator's. but
the newer form of organized activity
to mould public sentiment and to in
fuence senators by means of public
pressure from various sources. 1t is
insidious to the extent that this pub
licity and organized campaign often
partakes of misrepresentation and
misinformation"
Senator Overman's statement was
an individual one, but he added that
he had some decided views on the
question as to what he would recon-
mend for the committees report to
the Senate.
To the list of outside witnesses who
will be required to tell Saturday and
next week of their activities in urging
or opposing legislation may be add
ed the names of c. J. Faulkner, for
mer United States senator from West
Virginia: Colin Livingstone, officer of
Washington bank; w. j. Strass-
burger, of Glassmere, Pa, president
of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Com
pany; Paul J. Christian, an employee
of the Louisiana sugar growers Off
ces in Washington, and Arthur B.
Hayes, of Washington.
Although more than half the
Senate has testified to the
absence of numerous and
insidious lobby" with designs
upon the tariff, the Senate investigat-
ing committee today resumed the
hunt, determined that the sergeant
alarms should issue more subpoenas.
Although Chairman Overman would
not admit that the committee were
receiving aid from the White House,
the opinion prevailed about the Capt.
tol that the names of some of the
men summoned as witnesses have
keen suggested by President Wilson.
Friends of the President are sure
that some interesting information
viii be secured from those sum-
moned
senator GoH,s Testimony.
Senator Goff, first witness today.
said his West Virginia coal property
brought him about $500 a year in
royalties, while his oil properties paid
him about $4,000 a year.
I'VE sell our oil to subsidiaries of
the Standard Oil Company; there is
no one else to sell to- he said, and
added that his property interests
might be somewhat affected by the
tariff, but he did not expect it. No
one had approached him on the tariff
and he knew of no lobby influence in
Washington.
Senator Gore had no interest af-
fected Several delegations and indi-
viduals had called on him, including
F. r. Hathaway and Henry T. Ok
nard, on the sugar tariff.
Senator Hoke Smith, after a talk
with President Wilson at the White
House today, defined a lobbyist
Everyone is entitled to his day in
court" said the senator. "and I have
always considered that a legislative
body sat as court. Any attempt to
influence it's Judgment after the argu-
ment is presented, by seeking again
and again to create sentiment and
work upon the Judgment of the MEM
bers of Congress is insidious and
highly Objectionable lobbying.
IT think it will be perfectly appar-
ent that at the end of the investiga-
tion now being conducted there have
been organized forces here on sugar
and wool and which have maintained
their offices long after they had pre-
sented their arguments. l have al
haJl hof n aoriG a M oh mt
to be approached any more than a
court outside of the courtroom.
oThe effect of this investigation will
reach. l am sure legislative bodies
throughout the country and will radi-
ate a purifying influence on legisla-
ton
Men Who Saw Sherman.
Senator Sherman said his interest
In the tariff was limited to farm prod
ucts, and only because he made farm
loans. He had no professional connec
ton with anyone affected.
Persons who had called on him
about the tariff included Henry 9th
mer, Chicago; r. X. Askew. Kansas
city; T.. E. Armstrong, Detroit; H.
A. Lerch, Baltimore; J. c. Hartman,
Lincoln, Neb.; John C. Reeve and
John W. CaStleman, Sl. LOUIS, II. II.
Cox, E. C. Young, 2. H. Brenans, N. K.
Fairbank and H. Wake, Chicago and
III. w. Browne, Cincinnati. j. j.
Berry, of Chicago, was the only sugar
man who called, he said.
al have seen none of the sugar
lobby. so-called, ne said, but
have received a great deal of their
literature and have preserved every
scrap of it"
Chairman Overman at once asked
Senator sherman to furnish the liter
ature to the committee. 1t will prob
ably furnish the basis for more re-
search into the sugar lobby activi-
ties.
"The only improper influences ever
brought to bear on me were by rep
resentatives of labor unions" Mr..
sherman added. They threatened to.
exterminate me-
He knew of no organized lobby
here.
GOVERNORS CONFER
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June o.