The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-02

saw MIN IN IaVOr or a tariff on sugar;
A D. Baldwin of Honolulu, Jules God
chaux and F. F. Dickinson of Louisi-
ana also saw him in regard to sugar;
5. w. Mcclure of Salt Lake City came
10 his office in regard to wool; Henry
Lasson of Wichita, Kan, a miller,
asked for an equalization of the wheat
and flour rates; H. J. Krebs of Della
ware objected to the tariff lithopone;
w. D. Baird of Detroit. another caller,
was an expert builder of beet sugar
factories. and S. H. Cowan of Fort
Worth made the usual argument
against placing cattle on the free list.
Il think these men are all clean
minded and really believe in their
cases., said the senator. Senator Bris-
tow knew of no use of money but sup
posed it was being '1egitimately" used
to pay for advertising and printed
matter. He considered it perfectly
legitimate business for men interested
in the industries that might be affect
ed to present their arguments to sena-
tors, either personally or through at
torneys. The committee took a re-
cess until later today when Senator
Bristow concluded his testimony.
Washington, June 2-The search for
tariff lobby such as President Wilson
has declared was operating in WASH
ington began today with the senate
judiciary subcommittee holding open
hearings.
Every senator was prepared to an
swer series of eleven questions which
constituted a ''grilling'' to determine
whether he has any personal interest
in the tariff or other legislation and
to find out what persons have approach
ed him in the effort to influence his
action on schedules of the tariff bill.
1t has been estimated hundreds of men
interested in manufacturing or other
business affected by the tariff have been
in Washington during the last few
weeks and many senators claim it
would be impossible to remember all
the persons who have called upon them
to make appeal for changes.
AS President Wilson's declaration
was that IAN insidous lobby" large and
powerful, was at work, a senate reso-
luton requests the president to give
such information as he may have to
the committee. Senator Ashurst Bacon,
Bankhead and Borah were the first
asked to appear before the committee,
d schedule had been prepared limiting
the questioning of each senator to 10
minutes and providing for sessions of
the committee until 10 o'clock each
night.
Senators Confer With Wilson.
Before the investigating committee
met Senators Overman and Reed went
to the White House and had long
conference with President Wilson. Both
declined to talk of their visit but the
president told inquiries he had made
suggestions to the senate which would
be developed in the course of the in
quiry. He declines to say what they
were The senators did not ask Presi-
dent Wilson to appear and it was gem
orally regarded at the capitol and the
White House that the president would
not do so. 1t was said at the White
House that the president had placed
his information on the lobby in the
hands of Senators Overman and Reed
and the impression prevailed that later
iyh a ST
names of those whom he believes to be
lobbying against the tariff bill.
When the hearing opened, some news
paper photogra pliers ordered the COM
mittee members around in a business
like way while a picture was taken.
Senators Bacon and Ashhurst moved
aside. Il don't care to get into such
a picture said Senator Bacon.
Senator AShurSt was first called. He
testified he was not interested directly
or Indirectly financially, in the produc-
ton manufacture or sale of any ar
ticle mentioned on the tariff bill or any
other bill pending before congress nor
the manufacture or sale of any article
mentioned on the tariff bill or any other
bill pending before congress nor had he
sought to influence any other member.
Fruit Lobbyists From California.
The committee then made the first
effort to secure a list of so-called lob
lobbyists or persons who have talk
ed with senators about the tariff bill.
Senator Ashhurst said he had not kept
a record of those who had talked with
him but he was prepared to give names
of all he could remember. The first
was William Kettner of California"
who had asked him to find out whether
there would be any further reduction
in the tariff on lemons and fruits. The
senator asked Chairman Simmons, of
the finance committee, and the latter
said he thought the Underwood rates
would stand.
But 1 told him." said Senator
Ashurst that I wanted it distinctly
understood that in asking 1 was not
urging that the tariff be reduced"
Then the Sheep and Cattle Lobbyists.
A Mr.. Mcclure, representing western
sheep men, and a Mr.. Tomlinson, repre-
senting cattle men, Senator Ashurst
said called upon him and by legitimate
argument sought to show him that that
the sheep and cotton business would
be hurt by the bill. Nothing improper
was said to me by these men and what
they did every American citizen has a
right to do-talk to their senator about
their business affairs" said he. No one
he declared, had tried improperly to
influence his action.
ALFRED AUSTIN DEAD.