Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-06-05
1t Justifies Every Word of
Charges Made by Presi-
dent Wilson.
He DENOUNCES EX.SENATORS
Says They Capitalize Their Privi-
lege of the Floor by Using
1t to Influence Legis-
latiOn.

washington June 3.-"Social lobbying
IN Washington iustifes every word that
president Wilson uttered in regard to the
presence of an ''insidous' lobby at the
capitol, Senator Kenyon of Iowa declared
on the witness stand to-day before the
senate investigating committee. 1t was
the first unequivocal statement in support
or the Presidents attitude since the in
qury began.
The Iowa senator explained that he be-
heNed the most "insidous" and powerful
lobbying possible was the practice of flat
tering senators by having them out to
dinners, to theatres and on automobile
rides. ingratiating the host with the dis
unguished guests. Pointing to the sworn
testimony of Edward Hines, "a lumber
KING, before the Lorimer election inves-
tgaton that he entertained senators at a
local hotel at dinners at a time when the
NUMBER schedule in the Payne Aldiich bill
was before the Senate, Senator Keny IN
declared that 1t was his belief that sena-
tors were being entertained in this "insid-
lous' way at present
He also denounced eX-sena tors f,, toni-
talizing their privilege of the floor by u.s.
Ing IT to lobby. Referring to one ex-sena-
tor. representing many railroads in Wash
Senate, he advocated the enactment of
legislation to prohibit an ex-senator from
being lobbyist.
Senator Hughes of New Jersey and
Senator James of Kentucky told the In
Nestigators for the first time of the trials
ana tribulation of majority members Of
the finance committee with the many
persons who had hocked to Washington
TO hot -
any attempts to corrupt senators, but
both suggested they could have done bet
ter work If they had been bothered less
These senators. as did Senator La Fol-
lette. who followed them on the stand
suggested that legislation for the regis
tration Of lobbyists would be a good
thing.
Several senators let it be known to-day
that they had received by registered mail
what purported to be a reproduction Of
letter from the American Cane Grow
ers' association Of the United States sent
to members asking for contributions to
fund for the use of "a large committee
In Washington" The copy was dated
New Orleans, April ., 1918, and read as
follows:
Dear Sirs: Your association has a
large committee in Washington now using
every effort possible to try and save the
sugar industry.
I'VE have hesitated about calling on
sou. but as we are now overdrawn in
the bank 1t is absolutely necessary that
we have funds at once. and therefore
rail- on you to please send one-half Of
your subscription, say five cents per
thousand pounds on the crop of 1911.
This is very important, and we would
like to have remittance at once.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) CHARLES A. FAREWELL,
president"
The copy came in an envelope post
marked Washington on the back OF
which in ink was written name the w.
a.. Bass.
Senator Ransdell, who received one Of
the letters stated that the American
Cane Growers association had been IN
existence for 10 years or more. that 1t
maintained an office In New Orleans and
conducted an open campaign In behalf
of the sugar producers of Louisiana. He
added that for several weeks the or-
ganzation had kept an office in a Wash
lngton skyscraper with Its name over
the door.
The letter did not appear In the lobby
investigation to-day but 1t probably will
be read before the hearing is concluded