The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-10
Senators Believe They
Have Glimpsed Work
ings of Lobby.
ADMISSIONS MADE
ON WITNESS STAND
Former Congressman Tell Inves-
tigators That They Represent
Various Business Interests,
Keep Them Informed of
Bills and Arrange for
Hearings.


who might have been Influenced in
matters of legislation, the Senate lobby
investigating committee late to-day
began to inquire Into the Washington
connections OF those who might have
exercised the influence. With only
half dozen Senator's yet to take the
witness stand. the majority OF the com
mittee is convinced that II has seen a
flash Of the underground workings of
lobby. and believes that only patient
search is needed TO reveal the trail
that will lead to the quarry. The mi
nority members apparently are not so
certain that an 'insidious" lobby will
be discovered. The few Senators who
have not been hear. are out of the
city. and Will testify before the hear
ings arc concluded
Former Congressmcn on Stand.
One former Senator and four former
Representatives to-day admitted more
or less interest in legislation at the
Capitol but none would say that he
considered his cause unjust, or that he
had done anything improper Their
work had been done in the open, they
said. and consisted mostly in the filing
of briefs before committees of Con-
gress. making oral arguments in be-
half OF clients. and arranging for hear
ings for their employers. Senator Reed.
pected to show that many men spend
most OF their time in Washington with
nothing to do but convince Congress
II is wrong about particular legisla-
ton.
Former Senator Charles ]. Faulkner,
Of West Virginia, the first witness
from the outside, told the committee
he represented twenty-five of the big
railroads of the country, and had rep
resented them here for many years.
MY business has been to find bills
that affect railroads. send them to my
clients. and give my opinion OF Them"
lie said. IF the railroads find nothing
they regard as prejudicial. or if they
need amendment. they notify me 20
arrange a hearing before the commit
tee in charge"
The other former congressional wit
nesses were J. T. Hull, of Iowa: w. A
kopp. OF Wisconsin,; Charles S. Ben
nett, OF New York, and Charles B. Lam
ids, OF Indiana.
Hull Has Clients.
Mr.. Hull said he had been out of
Congress for two years. and had been
i'll Washington most of the time since
He had represented an association OF
corn products manufacturers In con-
nection with the pending tariff bill.
Mr.. Hull said he had been interested
also in legislation for the Veterinarian
Association OF the United States, which
wished to obtain commissioned ranking
for Its members in the army. and for
representatives OF the government OF
Ecuador, who wished government engi-
neers to investigate sanitary conditions
| there.
"I suppose YOU would accept employ
ment from any institution or concern
that wanted you to appear before com :
mittees OF Congress, SO long as you
regarded the matter public and
/
II would" answered Mr.. Hull.
That may be said to be your pres
ent occupation and mpIoyment?"
II would hardly like to say that"
was the reply.
Mr.. Kopp declared he had spent prob
ably three weeks in Washington. short :
ly after his retirement from Congress
in March. Although he had once de-
clined. he said, at the earnest solicita- :
tion of people in his home district he
had come back to Washington to pre-
sent arguments in behalf OF the lead
and zinc interests.
Former Congressman Bennett told of
filing n brief in behalf of the Diamond
Trade Tariff League. He saw two mem
bers of the subcommittee in charge of
the schedule during an hours stay in
Washington. Mr. Bennett said he also
had filed briefs and made arguments
for lace manufacturers
Employed by DuPonts.
Mr.. Lands, out of Congress four
years. said he had been in the employ
of the DUPONT Powder Company for
three years. He spent much of his first
year with the powder company here,
but for the last two years has been an
infrequent caller.
Senator Reed conducted n long cross
examination of the witness about that
first year in Washington.
Were you interested in the ship sub
sidy?" asked Senator Reed.
II delivered lecture on it for the
Merchant Marine League of Cleveland"
That was generally known as the
ship subsidy lobby?'
mo. sir. think not 1t never lob
bed me-"
The committee adjourned until to-
morrow at the conclusion of his testi-
mony.
Senator Poindexter made the COM
mittee sit up when he named several
former members of Congress whom he
believed might be found to have prac-
ticed lobbying here. He named among
! others former Senator Butler of North
Carolina. He did not accuse them Of
improper attempts to influence Con-
sress on legislation, but suggested that
they might know some interesting
things"
Senator Tillman said he owned about
$4,000 of cotton stock and $4,000 OF
Oklahoma oil stock.
II am only anxious that we pass the
tariff bill and leaye the chilly sensa-
tion now predominating in New York
amcng certain gentlemen who have
grown wealthy on legaliZed piracy"
he said
| Senator Tillman said he thought
large sums had been used to buy "the
columns Of newspapers to influence
Congress and the people on the tariff
question. But beyond that, while he
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