The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-04
Kenyon Makes First Un-
equivOcal Statement in
Support of Wilson's
Attitude
MANY EX-SENATORS
ARE IMPLICATED IN
KENYON'S CHARGE
Declares Entertaining Process Most
Powerful and InsidiOus Lobbying.
Alleged Letter in Interest of
Cane Growers Produced.
Many on the Stand

Washington, June 3.--(Specia1.)--
Senator Johnston went on the stand
to testify In the lobby investigation
today. Senator Johnston declared
that he had received a number of
letters from his constituents in Ala
bama regarding the duty on cotton
manufactures and cement, some
wanting the duty increased others
wanting further reduction. He
also said that one old friend from
North Carolina had personally So
licited his influence regarding some
item in the bill, but that SO far he
had not been approached by any
one he could charge with being a
lobbyist. He declared that he had
no holdings in steel plants furnaces
or mines or other Industries af-
fected by the tariff bill.
The Secretary of the Treasury to-
day awarded the allotment of funds
to let out on per cent interest for
Alabama to the First National bank
of Birmingham, the Traders Nation
al. Birmingham; the First National,
Alexander City; the Talladega Ma
tiona1, Talladega, and the First Ma
tional, Tuscaloosa.
Washington. June 3.-"Socia1 lobby
Ang" i'll Washington justifes every wore
President Wilson uttered in regard tc
the presence of an "insidious" lobby a
the capital. Senator Kenyon of lowe
declared on the witness stand today be
10 to fpa if1u INIT
tee. 1t was the first unequlvocal state
ment in support of the Presidents at
titude since the inquiry began.
The Iowa senator explained that h,
believed the most sinsidious' and pow
erful lobbying possible was the practic,
of nattering senators by having then
out to dinners to theatre and on auto
mobile rides. ingratiating the host will
the distinguished guests. Pointing t,
the sworn testimony of Edward Hines
"a lumber king" before the Lorimel
election investigation that he enter.
tained senators at local hotel at din
ners at time when the lumber sche.
duie in the Payne Aldrich bill was be.
fore the senate, Senator Kenyon de
clared 1t was his belief that senators
were being entertained in this 'insid.
1ous way at present.
He also denounced ex-senators foi
capitalizing their privilege of the fool
by using 1t to lobby Referring to one
ex-senator representing many railroad.
Fan Washington and often seen on the
floor of the Senate, he advocated the
enactment of legislation to prohibit al
ex-senator from being a lobbyist.
Many Present Views
Senator Huphea of Nexv Iersav apf
Senator James of Kentucky told tn.
investigators for the first time of tho
trials and tribulation of majority mem.
bers of the finance committee with the
many persons who had focked to Wash
dngton to present their views. Neither
knew of any attempts to corrupt sena
\ tors, but both suggested they coult
have done better work If they had beer
bothered less. These senators, as die
senator La Toilette, who followed then
lpn the stand, suggested that Legislation
.dor registration OF lobbyists "ould bt
IA good thing.
Several Senators let 1t be knwn TO-
day that they had received by regis.
tered mail what purported to be a re.
production of letter from the Ameri.
can Cane Growers Association of the
United States, sent to members asking
for contributions to fund for use oi
large committee in Washington
The copy was dated New Orleans, Aprf
2, 1918, and read as follows:
Dear Sirs: Your association has 8
large committee in Washington now
using every effort possible to try anc
save the sugar industry.
I'VE have hesitated about calling or
you but as we are now overdrawn in
the bank, 1T Is absolutely necessary
that we have funds at once, therefore
call on you to please send one-half OF
your subscription, say s cents per 1OO(
pounds on the crop of 1911.
This is very important and we would
like to have remittance at once.
yours very truly,
CHARLES A. FARRELL,
President"
The copy came in an envelope post
marked Washington, on the back OF
which in ink was written the name w
I. Base.
Letters From Cane Growers
Senator Ransdell who received one OF
the letters, said the American Cane
Growers association had been in ex-
istence for 10 years or more, that IL
maintained an office in New Orleans
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