The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-06-03

WASHINGTON, June 2.-The senate
struck out boldly tonight on the trail
of the 'insidious lobby" which Presi-
dent Wilson declared is operating to
modify the tariff bill. At the rate of
four senator's an hour the colleagu
OF the five men on the Investigating
committee stepped to the witness chair
Senators who had served in congress.
for many years repeatedly testified that
they believed there was less personal
appeal to members of the two houses
now than at any tariff revision of re-
cent years. Nearly a dozen ard half
senators had been examined before the
end of tonight's session, and while they
disclosed freely their personal business
affairs and the extent of their property
investments. the committee found no
evidences of senatorial or outside in
fuence to improperly affect tariff legis-
lation.
SOME PARTIES HAVE RIGHTS
The majority of the senators de-
clared they did not consider men who
legitimately appeared to present argu-
ments to congress as lobbyists. Both
democratic and republican senator's ex-
pressed the opinion that Interested
parties" had the right to present their
cases either to individual senators or
to committees Of either house.
Names of score or more men who
had appeared to protest against cut
in sugar, wool. lead meat, flour and
similar duties were given by different
senators, but the only one referred to
as lobbyist" was a man named Mac
Murray" whom Senator Ashurst said
he believed was attempting to influence
action in favor of the approval of cer-
tain Indian contracts in which he was
interested.
Required by the committee to dis
close any personal interests they might
have in legislation. the senators told
of farms, newspapers, sewer pipe fac
tories, gas plants and other things In
which they had investments.
NO INTEREST IN BUSINESS
All those who testified today de-
clared they had no interest in any
business or any business In any way
affected by legislation now or previ-
ously before congress.
Before the 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
Senator Ashurst said he was not In
terested in any manner in the produc-
ton, manufacture or sale of any article
mentioned in the tariff bill or any other
bill pending, nor had he sought to In
fiuence any other senator.
The committee then made the first
efrort to secure list NJ socalled
lobbyists"
CALIFORNIA FOR LEMONS
Senator Ashurst said he had not kept
q 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 Cali
fornia,. who had asked him to find out
whether there would be any further
reduction in the tarin on lemons and
fruits.
III a
ern sheepmen, and Mr.. Tomlinson.
representing cattlemen. Senator
Ashurst said, called on him and by
legitimate argument sought to show
him that the sheep and cattle business
would be hurt by the bill.
Senator Ashurst said he did believe.
however. that "a man named McMur-
ray, had been attempting to influences
improperly the action of senators with
respect to preventing the cancellation
of certain contracts he (McMurray) had
with Cherokee Indians. for the sale OF
land whereby he would receive $4,000
600.
sOME SMOOTH LOBBYIST
He is the smoothest lobbyist have
ever seen" added the senator. He