The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-06-05
SAYS LOBBYING
IN WASHINGTON
is INSIDIOUS
Senator Hoke Smith, After Talk
With President, Declares In
quiry viii Be Helpful
LEGISLATIVE BODY LIKE COURT
Legislators Ought Not to Be Ap-
preached Outside of the
Court Room"
LEGISLATIVE BODY LIKE COURT
COMMITTEE CONTINUES WORK

Washington. June 5.--Seuator Hoke
smith. after talk with the president
at the white house today. defined
lobbyist.
Everyone is entitled 70 his day in
court" said the senator. and have
always considered that legislative
body sat a. court. Any attempt to
influence its judgment after the argu-
ment is presented. by speaking again
and again to create sentiment and
work upon the judgment Of members
of Congress is insidious and highly
objectionable lobbying
Z think it viii be perfectly appar-
cnt that NJ the end Of the investiga-
tion now being conducted that there
have accu organized forces here on
sugar ard wool. which have maintain
cd offices long after they had pre-
sented their arguments have al
ways held that i legislator ought not
to ne approached any more than a
court, OUTSIDE of the court room.
'rhe effect Of tins investigation will
reach, I am sure. Legislative bodies
throughout the country, and radiate a
purifying influence on legislation"
More Testimony Heard Today.
Senator Goff was the first witness
at the lobby hearing today. He
said Virginia coal properties brought
him $4,000 year royalties, and oil
properties paid him $4,000 a year
we sell our oil 10 subsidiaries of
the Standard oil company: there is
no one else To sell TO-" he said. and
added his property interests might he
somewhat affected by the tariff. but he
did not expect Il. No one had ap-
preached him on the tariff and he
knew of no lobby influence in Wash
ington.
Senator Gore had no interests af-
viduals had called on him. including
Henry Oxnard. on the sugar tariff
Senator Sherman said his interest
in the tariff was limited 70 farm prod
ucts, and only because he made farm
loans. Re had no professional connec-
ton with any one affected. Persons
who called on him about the tariff in
cluding Henry Othmer. II, p. Cox. T..
g Young. +. VI. Brennan and n. X.
Fairpank. II walker Of Chicago, l..
E. Armstrong Of Detroit and ]. j. Bar
~ of Chicago were the only sugar men
who had called
Il have seen none of the sugar lob
by. so-callcd," he said, but have re
oeived ID great deal of their literature
and preserved every scrap of it"
Chairman Oyerman asked Sherman
to furnish the literature 20 the com
mittee
The only improper influences eve:
brought TO hear on me We're by repre-
sentatives Of the labor unions Sher-
man added They threatened to ex-
terminate me" He knew Of no or
ranizc1 lobby hero.
Powerful Lobby EXISTS.
That the l,enate's Investigation al
r"0dy has disclosed the activity Of
powerful lohhying interests of a new
character, was tho opinion expresses
by chairman Overman uf the com
mut-e after the morning SESSION
We have developed thoroughly the
fact thcre T. powerful concerted lob
byire i ii not : personal appeal TO
ia. sonatorS but newer form ct or
can,2ed activity 10 mould public
opinion ard iuf'ucnce senators. by
means OF public pressure from vari-
uus sources"
The statement was an individual
one. bat he added he had some de
cided views on the question as TO
what he would recommend for the
committcc's report ~ the Senate