The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-06
Sweeping Investigation of
Lobby Influence to Be
Made By Committee
CONTINUED From Page One)


don't represent Mormon or Jew or Gen.
tile, black or white, Methodist or Pres
byterian."
Senator Reed said he had not meant
to insinuate that Senator Smoot was the
representative of the Mormon church.
Don't you in a way represent the
chuchs stock, within the meaning of
this investigation? ?' asked Senator Walsh
Il do not" retorted Senator Smoot,
mo more than you do
Senators Smoot, Mark Smith, Shafroth
and Williams testified during the after
noon session. They produced bundles of
literature sent out by various organiza-
tions and individuals. The investigating
committee finally decided that 1t wouldi
have to pass on this literature and de-
termine whether or not it were not "mis-
leading or would have "pernicious ef-
feet"
Members of the committee agreed that
even though the raising of money for pub
Hcity campaigns might be legitimate, the
Issuing of false statements or misleading
public documents would be an "insiduous
attempt" to influence the public and mem
bers of Congress.
That detectives nave in some cases been
used to shadow members of Congress in
the interest of getting certain legislative
action is a point that Senator Cummins
viii " csldDilS0. lie asked SEN
ator Smoot today whether the latter knew
of sny such activity. Senator Smoot said
he had heard of it." but could give he
committee no information. Senator Cum
minis declined to state what further wit
nesses would be produced or to indicate
the nature of the detective work that has
been done.
Many Names Given
Senator Smoot gave the committee the
names of many persons who called upon
him in tariff subjects He said he had
taken no part personally in the organiza-
ton of any fight against free sugar. ami
he did not know of the existence of a
lobby" or the use of money further than
as public advertisements indicated it.
Senator Williams, whose subcommittee
faS had charge of the income tax feature
of the tariff bill expressed the belief that
there had been an organized effort of the
insurance companies to rally policy hold
ers against the income tax. Insurance Of
ficials probably will be asked to appear
later.
r. d. Bowen, who signed a circular pro-
duced by Senator Williams advising cot
ton growers to urge their senator's to SUP
Port a higher duty on cotton cloth; II.
w. Cowan of Texas. who has been active
in the fight against free meat; A. W.
kopp, former representative from Wis
SoIslll, anu \. H. JIEoNi anu Ctlo NUM- Vi
Washington were subpoenaed tonight.
Senator Smith of South Carolina, the
first witness at the night session, said he
was principally interested in a farm of
about 1900 acres II raise mostly pov-
erty," he added.
THAT ought to be on the protected
list" suggested Senator Nelson and the
committee laughed with the spectators.
Senator Smith said he was interested
in producing cotton. He recalled the
names of several persons who talked
with him about the bill and mentioned
e. W. Durant of Charleston as one in
terested in sugar, who predicted ruin to
the sugar producer If sugar was put on
the free list. He knew of no lobby.
Overman Gives Testimony
Chairman Overman, who left tonight
for three-day visit in North Carolina,
was the next witness and the second
member OF the committee to give his
testimony. He supplemented his state
ment earlier in the day by declaring the
evidence produced at the haring had con-
vinced him of the presence here of a
lobby, but did not go into details and
named no men he considered as lobby
ists
He said he owned 10 shares in cotton
mills, carried $4,000 life insurance, and
that his wife owned few more shares OF
cotton mill stock.
The senator defined a lobby as a third
house of congress-" seeking to influence
the other two in legislative matters
sometimes legitimately and sometimes in
other ways. He declared that while he
was not certain. there seemed to be
some common basis of opposition among
the sugar people and those interested in
the cotton schedule that North Carolin-
ians interested in cotton had been told
apparentlv by those who expected to
be affected by free sugar. that sugar
on the free list meant ruin to the cot
ton producers. He said that there should
be legislation to control lobbying.
Senator Overman put in the record a
circular from an insurance company sug-
eesting to policy holders that they write
fo their congressmen and senators OBJ
iecting to the income tax provision. He
also produced a letter from Florida
policv holder of this company directed
10 It's president. protesting against use
of the companys money In such a cam
paign and the Presidents reply stating
that the board of trustees, having con-
sidered the protest did not agree with It,
Wanted Vote For Bill
Senator Yardaman said he told ex-Sen-
ator Foster of Louisiana, and several
other men who called to talk to him
about the sugar schedule, that he would
vote for the Underwood bill unless i get
an ornortunity to vote for free sugar
at once. They did not remain more than
10 or Ia minutes" said the senator, 'and
they did not return.
"rbe senator did not have specific
knowledge of a lobby or the use Of money