Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-30
the Lobby Investigation.

The senate has done the obviously
proper thing in adop,:4s resolution
promptly ordering an investigation INTO
the act;v ties uf the alleged lobby in
Washington seeking TO influence the
shaping O.. the tariff bill. The Presi-
dent had issued public statement CIV
ing warning of the work OF SUCH a
lobby and plainly indicating possession
of information to the effect that money
was being freely used. or sought to be
used, for the purpose of erecting
changes in the schedules as now
drawn. This indicated a condition OF
fact not of theory. IT was the SEN
ate's duty in the circumstances to
bring all tho conditions to light, by
means of a public inquiry.
Now it will be possible for the coun-
try to know whether there is per
suasive money" in sight in Washing
ton. whether the lobby which is unde-
niably at work here to bring about
changes in the schedules is undertake
ing to employ legitimate or improper
means to accomplish these ends. The
President in his statement did not dis
tinguish between the two kinds OF
lobbying, the proper and the i'm
proper. nat lHcIc 10 oil dOuHuoHN "a
penditure of money in the interest, for
instance. of the domestic sugar grow
ers is plain to any one who reads the
newspapers. the advertising columns
Of which have for some time contained
arguments issued by their representa-
tives. There have also been evidences
In the same columns that the interests
hopeful of securing the material re-
duction of the sugar duty and its ultl-
mate elimination have not been in
active or parsimonious. But these are
apparently legitimate methods. No at
tempt seems to have been made to in
fiuence any particular newspaper or group
of newspapers. In the absence of evil
dence to the contrary this money is rea-
sonably viewed as spent in legitimate
attempt to educate the legislative mind
on the subject of sugar. and SO with the
money spent in literature which has
been sent through the mails in quantities
from both sides to all who have any part
in the shaping of the law or the forma-
ton of public opinion.
The resolution adopted yesterday by
the Senate aims directly at the other
kind of lobby activity. that which is
auieter and less ostentatious, which
seeks to sway the judgment of law
makers by insidious and even by cor
rupt means. Has there been any wise
money" within sight here during these
weeks of tariff bill framing? Has there
been any approaching Of bill makers
with trustworthy market tips or other
valuable inducements? Have senators
been engaged in speculation? Doubt
less we shall have another sight such
as that of twenty years ago, when
senators filed into the committee room.
one by one. and answered a question
the counterpart Of that which will
probably be framed by the present
auizzing committee, relative to dealing
In sugar stock.
No mistake has been made in order
ing this inquiry and none will be made
in pressing it to the limit. The coun-
try is entitled to know the influences
which surround the lawmakers at this
important juncture. Not only with ref
erence TO the wool and sugar schedules,
but regarding every item on the tariff
bill there should be information on
this line.