Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-05-30
Cummius Resolution Modified
to Suit Democrats Provides
ior Rigid investigation at
Once,
PRESIDENT APPROVES
SEARCHING INQUIRY
Fall Believes Steps Should Be
Taken to Disclose Relation
Of Legislators to Business
interests,

e. soaaiaa louasat drEcist etsosu WISH
Washlngtun May 20, After sharp
debate over torma the senate adopt
cd tonight q resolution instrneung the
Judiciary committee 60 investigate the
eharpo that IA lobby Is being maintain
cd in Washington on elsewhere 10 In
nnencc pending legislation with par
ucuar ,mphnais Ou its effort for or
against the Underwood tariff bill now
before tho finance committee. The
resolution was IN direct response To
the public statement made by Presi-
dent Wilson that an msldious lobby
with plenty OF men was operating
against thr tariff bin
President Wilson. in his talk with
rrwspaucr correspondents today. de-
clarod ho wus IN sYmpatny with the
proposed Investigation and would be
giad 10 furnish the names Of the loh-
hyists 10 whom he referred IL 'pnDhe
necessity required" lie added that II
% senate committee were charged with
The investigation II would have ample
powers To obtain Information
Under the resolution which was
adopted. aa introduced by Senator
Cummins with amendments by scna-
tor Kern. the Judiciary committee -
directed To- report its findhgs WITHIN
ten dass and hearings probably VIII
begin at once.
The resolution as adopted directs
the committee 10 report the names
ana methods of lobbyists aud the bills
or items IN the tariff bill they are
seeking TO chnEge.'
The names Of senators 20 whom
representation by "such person or any
persons wore made and under what
circumstances, an persons 10 testify
under oath.
Whether any senator is financially
or personally Interested In the pro-
ductlon manufacture or sale of any
article mentioned In the tariff bill
The interest any senator has in any
legislation pending or has had IN any
legislation before the SENATE during
his term Of service.
Tho president Is respectfully inyit-
ed "to aid the committee in It's in
vestigatlon by giving TO i any infor-
nation In his possession relating to
the investigation which he considers
proper 10 make public
There was little difference OF opin-
ion over the need for an investigation
but sharp oolloquy arose when Sem
ator Kern proposed an amendment to
that part Of the resolution dealing
with the testimony of senators and
the Information TO be- obtained from
the president
The Cummins resolution. the ORIG
nal, provided that the committee
should take the statement under
oath Of all senators who have roceiv-
cd representations during the present
session" regarding pending leglsla-
ti0n. Mr. Kern's amendment nuthoriz-
cd the committee to ascertain the
character Of representations made to
influence legislation by any person and
the names Of senator's TO whom they
were made
senator Cummlne proposed to ask
the president to furnish the names of
tho Lobbyists to whom he referred Ia
the public statement issued by him
and "any other information about
them or their efforts to bring about
changes IN legislation now before the
senate which will promote .hc general
welfare"
Under the Kcrn amendment he IS
invited to furnish any Information ~
his possession with reference to the
subject matter OF the investigation,
which he considers proper to make
public
Republicans. led by senator Root
and Senator Cummns. declared the
Kern amendment "emasculatcd the
B resolution and left II practically value
less while democrats under the lead
ership Of senators Kern and Reed,
held that the change made but little
difference to tho end to be accom-
plshed The Kern amendment was
adopted on strictly pnrty vote. Us
to rs. ana tho resolution by viva
vocc vote without any apparent dis
sent
Although the debate grew warm az
times. there were many exchanges
that brought laughter from both sides
Of the chamber. Just before the vote
was nkon senator Fab suggested That
an investigation he made Of relations
borne by any senator to any business
Of ans sort In the United states.
"Or abroad. said Senator Thomas.
and the whole senate joined in the
laugh.
Another bill proposing the regisirh-
lion of an persons engaged in at
tempting to influence or promote leg
islation, was introduced today by Sen
ator Weeks. 1t would establish dock
cts in the house in which all persons
or firms who hire legislative agents