Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-27
STARTS AN INQUIRY
AFTERL LOBBYISTS
Resolution in House Based on
Charges Made by Presi-
dent Wilson.
ATTACK ON THE TARIFF
BY HOSTILE INTERESTS
Proposed Investigation by Commit
tee to Disclose Source of the
Lobby Expense Fund.

tee to Disclose Source Of the
Lobby Expense Fund.
An investigation of the activities Of
| tariff lobbyists in relation to the Tn
derwood tariff bill is proposed in a
resolution introduced in the House to-
| day by Representative Tavenner of
Illinois. The resolution recites that
1T has been charged by the President
of the United States. and there is rea-
son to believe. that a powerful and in
sidious lobby representing interests
hostile to the passage Of the pending
tariff bill in the form adopted by the
House Of Representatives exists in
Washington"
appointment Of a committee OF five
members by the Speaker to inveSti-
gate and report to Congress all facts
that may be ascertained as to opera
Said committee shall inquire" says
the resolution, into the sources
whence such lobby or Hobbies are sup
piled with funds, and the amount OF
funds contributed. and shall also ascer-
tain where and how those funds are
expended and for what immediate and
ultimate purpose: and shall go into a
general inquiry to learn the methods
by which any lobby seeks to influence
legislation in Congress.
Alleged Lobbyists Disconnected.
The small army Of tariff lobbyists
which has been occupying Washington
since the Underwood bill passed the
House was in a state of confusion today
because Of President Wilson's sudden
and vigorous attack on the numerous.
Industrious and insidious lobby
Men prominent for many years in off,
cial life. including former United States
senators. now identified with either sugar
or wool interests in the organized effort
against the Underwood bill. were discOn-
certed after reading the Presidents decla-
ration and specializing on its probable
effect.
The expenses Of the wool and sugar
lobbies in Washington alone. to say moth
ing OF the expense Of literature circuia-
ton and advertising, 1t is claimed,
| amounts to thousands Of dollars a day.
More than a hundred representatives of
varied Industries are clamoring early to-
day at the doors of the Senate finance
subcommittee rooms to be heard before
the hearings close at 5 o'clock this after
noon.
Bankers File Protests.
The Investment Bankers Association Of
New York, through its counsel. Robert r
Reed. filed protests today against the
four thousand dollar exemption OF the In
come tax The association urged that
the exemption be made on incomes under
81 900. with $500 additional for each per-
son dependent on the $1,000 income-no
supertax to be assessed except on IN
comes over S1lGO.
A delegation OF pottery manufacturers
appeared before Senator stones subcom-
mittse urging an increase i'm the proposed
rates on pottery goods. w. A.. Wells of
Newell. W. Va, declared that American
wholesalers and importers OF English
pottery were banded together to keep up
prices on English made goods. which are
no better than American goods OF the
same grade.
The American manufacturer. he said.
sells direct to the retailer. while the Eng
lish will sell only through wholesalers,
and these middlemen keep up the prices.
Outline Of Republican Program.
Part of the republican program for de-
batting the tariff bill in the Senate was
outlined today. More than twenty sena-
tors have long speeches in preparation
Senator La Toilette plans to talk one
whole week on many features OF the bill.
Senator Burton will make one Of the
first speeches. Senator Oliver will dis
cuss the iron and steel schedule; Sena-
tor Lodge the textile schedule: Sena-
tors McCumber. Gronna. Norris, Mel
son and Clapp the agricultural schedule:
Senator Root the wool schedule. while
Senators Borah. Works and Cummins
are preparing lengthy arguments.
Wilson's Statement Arouses.
u., nno.,aao+,S .toten,ant rapa riding the
existence of lobby in Washington to de-
feat important features Of the tariff bill
stirred up considerable excitement at the
CAPITOL. Immediate denial was made by
senator's from sugar producing states and
by representatives of the sugar industry
in Washington that anything improper
was being done in the fight to maintain a
duty on sugar. Senator Ransdell OF
Louisiana declared that he knew nothing
of the existence OF any lobby. None or
my people are lobbyists, he said.
Senator Thornton of Louisiana also de-
clared that he knew OF nothing done by
the sugar people that deserved criticism.
Certainly there has been nothing cor
rupt," he said Those who are here pro-
testing against free sugar are bona fide
representatives Of the sugar interests"
Senator Newlands OF Nevada said this
talk of a lobby sending money and seek
ing to influence improperly senators lis
something entirely new to me-"
Senator John Sharp Williams Of Mis-
sissippi, chairman of the subcommittee
which is considering the sugar tariff
schedule. said. II would not be sur
prised IL there is q great deal in what
the President had to say. OF course, these
lobbyists are intelligent men, They know
whom to approach.
"a Lot of Money" Being Used.
Senator Tillman Of South Carolina de-
clared that somebody was certainly US
Ing a lot Of money to defeat the sugar
section Of the Underwood bill
Former Gov. George r. Carter of
Hawaii said that he believed the people
OF Hawaii or any other part of the coun-
try had right to spend their money In
any legitimate way or send their repre-
senta.ives here to protect themselves
from a Geethb!ow.
Walker d. Hines. on behalf of twenty
two of the ra.roads OF the country, ap-
peared yesterday to argue against the
provisions Of the proposed income tax.
He told the subcommittee OF the finance
committee that the proposed law would
impose an additional burden Of $500, 600
& year upon the railroads of the coun-
try or this amount. between 100000
and $9,5OO.0GO will have to be paid by the
railroads on bonds issued by them, with
the Understanding that the interest was
to be paid free of any tax collected at
the source He said that another 5000,
600 will be drawn from the railroads on
account OF double taxation features in
the bill which do not appear in the pres
ent corporation tax law.