Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-03
and CAN'T LET GO!
The Democratic Leaders
Grabbed veryHot Potato.
Now They'd Like 10 Drop That
Tariff Lobbyist Business.
That Numerous and Insidious Lob.
by" Sticks to the Fingers.

Washington, d. c.. June 2-(Special)
The hottest potato, that has touched
Democratic fingers at the Capitol in a
nice long while, is the question of tariff
lobbyists Several estimable senators
at the north end of the Capitol are try
ing to find some good place to drop it.
Following President Wilson's pro-
nouncement that "insidious" gentlemen
crowded the town, trying to persuade
Congress Ia change tariff schedules III
fashion not to the peoples interest,
the Senate had to institute AN inquiry
AS the House had already passed the
tariff bill, the proposition was up to-
the Senate which had not.
And 30, after several DAYS of spicy
debating formed by the Republicans
Democratic senators of the judiciary
committee find themselves inquirins
about the tariff LOFTY The Senate in
structed them to report within ter
days. Although the resolution was cleY-
erly amended and drastic language
which Senator Cummins proposed. re-
jected. il is not altogether an easy
matter for the judiciary committee to
handle. Its members are very learned
iR"I
how to proceed.
There are tariff lobbyists in town,
coolies of them. There is very much
doubt whether they are of the Danger
Gus variety. For there are lobbyists
and lobbyists. A man, who owns a
factory that manufactures given ar
ticle on which there Is n duty and
which duty Congress now proposes to
reduce, may hot foot it To- Washington
to protest. In fact hundreds of them
have. They feel that they are on a
decidedly Legitimate GRAND and pro-
badly most of them are. The judiciary
committee could furnish a long list of
these gentlemen if it wished and yet
not have all of them.
There are also paid lobbyists in town
attorneys who have come here as
agents for big industries. Some OF
them, certainly, are highly Respectable
men. In the ranks. too, are some very
able lawyers. The vogue has been tor
these men to appear before Senate SUD
committees If they could set 4 chance
and also To submit learned brief
Most of them did both things. The Sen
ate judiciary committee might prepare
quite a list of these men and yet not
have all of them. Not q few have been
in Washington. completed their repre-
sensations and departed.
The President apparently had IN
mind considerable numbers OF men who
came to protest against free WOOL ana
free sugar. If the judiciary committee
probes far into the record of activities
on those two subjects. the public may
have an opportunity to determine
whether these protests are at all SIMS
ter. The producers Of sugar III Hawah
and Louisiana and in IL sugar beet
growing states claim that Congress Is
proposing to do them serious injury.
They say they have come To NashlnS-
ton in an effort TO save their property
and are preparing to fight 10 the last
ditch not only in defense OF their IT.
dustries but of their rights TO come
here and speak for themselves or to
engage some one TO come ana speak
fer them.
Tariff Week.
This is distinctly tariff week. Most
wheels have stopped turning at the Dig
marble structure on the hill. Thefe are
furrowed brows in tho finance commit
tee. Democrats daily arrive III the carry
morning and depart in the late even
ing. The hour of decision has come
Pages must be made up. Inc time LOT
talking has passed. Petitioners for pro-
lection have had days and days OF say.
Formidable questions have been hafieo
but now it is up to the auesuenefs'
who must abide by their judgment
and take consequences.
Meanwhile Capitol corridors are wei
deserted There was brief hurry AZ
the south end where the Natlonal
House has possession. The work WAS
nshered in there with caucuses- House
Democrats caucused and announced
their committee assignments. But they
also clamped the lid down tight They
told the House what it could do ano
| what II could not do for the remainder
| az tho extra session. 1t could complete
tbe tariff bill. 1t could enact currency
hill, Some of the Departments may
peed a little more money therefore II
| seerred wise to leave leeway Ter NJ
| emergency appropriation bill or TWO
r,hat can be framed and voted upon.
| otherwise the hands of 425 Represeh
| tatiyes in Congress are leglslaeiVeiS
tied. No motions can be made TO dis'
| charge committees and accordingly th'
committees are safe during a period O
+, enforced idleness. The Democratic leao
ers do not propose to have any 1ooiihs
CONTINUED on Page F1ve.)