The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-03
INVESTIGATION Of
|NS|O|OUS' lOBD
DEVELOPS NOTHING
Seventeen Senators Examins
First Day and None
Knows Anything
PRESIDENT WILSON
is NOT TO TESTIFY
Senators Overman and Reed
Confer With Him and
Get Suggestions for
Line Of Inquiry

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE se1l@
ate investigation into the lobby
against the tariff bill, which Preai-
dent Wilson characterized as NUM-
erous, Industrious, and insiduous. got
under way today, but without yielding
any conf1rmatory results. Seventeen
senator's of all shades of political
opinion were examined In the course
Of the days proceedings. but not one
Of them testified to having been sub
5ected to improper or illegitimate
pressure on the part of lobby.
On this point regardless Of party
affiliations, all the senators were In
agreement. Not one had been 'tap-
preached" or offered a bribe. not one
| had been threatened with political ex-
| tinction and to none Of them had the
suggestion been made OF political
political reprisal for unfavorablo
votes upon the tariff schedules.
Never Charged Corruption.
| President Wilson. when he gave
out his statement charging that =
lobby was operating against the Un-s
derwood bill, made It plain that he
did not charge the existence OF cor
| ruption, but merely the misrepreseu-
tation of facts through a persistent
| campaign. and a reckless expenditure
| of money.
Senators Ashurst, Bacon. Borah,
Bradley, Brandegee and Bristow were
the first of the senate members 70
take the witness stand. None OF them
knew of an improper use of money Or
influence, and none Of them regard
ed as Lobbyists" the representatives
of American industries who have pre-
sented arguments to senators or SEN
ate committees in favor of or against
changes in tariff rates.
Senators Give Names.
Names of over dozen men who
have thus appeared to protest agaannt
cut in sugar, wool. lead, meat. -four
and similar duties were given BY dif-
ferent senators, but the only one re-
| ferred to as a lobbyist" was man
named MacMurray" whom Senator
Ashurst said he believed was attempts
ing to influence action in favor of tbs,
approval of certain Indian contractS
in which he was interested.
Senators took the stand in rapid
succession to tell of their private huDt-
ness affairs or of their knowledge 81
lobbying activities. Required by thA
committee to disclose any personal In
terests they might have in legislation,
the senators told Of farms. newapAp0xAb
sewer pipe factories, gas plants An4
other things in which they had invest
ments All those who testified to-day
made it clear that they had no tn-
terest in any business tn any way ~
| fected by legislation now or previously
| before congress. En-
Cali on the President.
| Before the investigating COMMITTEES
met, Senators Overmann and Heed
went to the White House and had ~
long conference with President VIII
| son. Both declined to talk OF their
visit, but the president told inquireres
| he had made suggestions to the sens
tors, which would be developed TN
the court Of inquiry. He declined t0s
/ saw what they were. The senators did
not ask President Wilson to appe4rs
and 1t was generally regarded at tn
capitol and the White House that thu
president would not. u.
It was said at the White House thAt
the president practically had place0S
all his information on the lobby In til
hands of Senator Overman and NeN4Ea
and the impression prevailed thne
later the president might furnish ~
| list of names OF those whom he haN
iieves to be lobbying against the taftM
Brady Excused Until MORNING.
| Senator Brady was the last wttuDl4
called before the afternoon adtoux@a
ment. In the middle Of his testimqU
the buzzers rang a call or the 194SSS
ate" Senator Overman promptly a1Ss
! JOuIIou THO GQ1AAkIiISeC c0yAA0 ~ rs
tor Brady:
| Senator. we will take your furthes
| testimony first thing tomorrow morris
ing. We will not require you to cor
back tonight $3.50
At this Senator Cummins jamu444s
his fist on the corner Of the deG
and exploded with laughter. SenatS
Brady turned the color OF q ripe td3R
mato. The occasion for ievity 49,
lost upon the audience, but the msn1~
bers Of the committee and the waiting
witnesses were ..in" on Senator Over~
mans little jest Senator Brady MAe
married In Chicago saturday ffiktItss
and had arrived at his new home with
his bride this morning. 81
Senator Clark. OF Wyoming. . Re-
publican. was the frst witness called
at the night session. and his testimenys
was the same old story. He knew ~
no lobby being maintained in wash
ington now.
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