The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-18
Lobby Investigation Promises
National Scandal.
Correspondence May Embar-
rass Many Statesmen.
ATTEMPT TO CURB COMMITTEE
Ask Senate to Call OF Investi-
gators, Is Threat.
Many Letters Explain How In
fIuence Was EXerted.
new KANSAS C0NGRESSMEN
Sugarites Write for All InfOr-
nation ObtainabIe.
Evidently Were Laying Plans
to "Size Up" Kansans.
NEW KANSAS CONGRESSMEN
SugariteS Write for All InfOr-
nation ObtainabIe.

Washington, June 1S.-More letters
and kilograms from the private files of
the anti-free sugar lobby put into the
record of the senate investigating COM
mittee today, purported to show that
the beet sugar men furnished the sugar
tariff arguments contained in the Re-
publican national campaign text book
of 1912; engaged DR.. Harvey w. Wiley,
former government pure food chief, to
deliver lectures; expressed great
doubt of former President Taft's abil-
ity to carry such states as California
Idaho. Utah and Colorado and added;
'If we don't head him off we might
be able to get promise relative to
the sugar and tobacco industries
Oxnard objects.
The introduction of the private letters
was accomplished not without oppo-
sitfon from Henry T. Oxnard and Tru-
man G. Palmer, both prominent in
the beet sugar campaign. Mr.. Oxnard
testified that for 20 years he had been
active in the campaign against legis-
lation to reduce the duty on sugar,
said Chairman OVerman-
Mr. Palmer before the committee
gave similar testimony. The committee
believes these letters are corroborative
of testimony that has been given here,
that there is a lobby in this country
organized to defeat any legislation for
the reduction of the sugar tariff. These
letters are admissible as evidence, we
believe, as showing a common design
ana plan bearing on what has been
done in the past, and what is being
done here now to oppose the sugar
tariff reduction"
Want Scope Reduced.
Friends of Oxuard and Palmer declar-
ed an effort would be made to have
the senate itself limit the scope of the
committees investigation.
More Letters.
More letters and kilograms from the
private files of the men at the head
of the anti-free sugar fight began go
ing into the record of the senate lob
bying committee when it resumed work
today. From the large numbers of
ters and kilograms which the commit
tee had Summarily Subpoenaed from
beet sugar headquarters, only a small
portion had been read into the record
when the committee adjourned last
night. Seventy odd copies introduced,
referred to a widespread campaign,
headed by Clarence c. Hamlin of Col
orado Springs, to gain publicity for
the beet sugar arguments through
newspapers, news agencies and with
the assistance of great railroads and
agricultural colleges.
Sensational Turn.
Senators declared the newest turn
of the investigation was the most SEN
sational development. Many men of
national prominence, mentioned in
the correspondence undoubtedly will
be summoned to testify, and from a
plan of investigation of the interests
OF senators themselves in the tariff
bill, the inquiry now promises to
broaden out into an inquiry into ali
the influences which are alleged to
have been brought for and against
legislation in recent years.
Formal Objection.
The committee was confronted at
the outset today with a formal objec-
ton from Henry T. Oxnard, of the
American Beet Sugar company and
Truman G. Palmer, head of the WASH
ington offices of the sugar interests
against the reading of any correspon-
dence addressed to or from them, and
dated prior to the beginning of the
present session. John Yerkes an at
torney, who said he represented the
two sugar men broke into the pro-
ceedingS when a letter from oxford
TO Palmer, dated in 1906, was read b.
Chairman Overman. Yerkes contend
ed the committee was limited by the
senate resolution to the investigation
of matter affecting legislation pend
ing before the present congress. The
committee took the objection under
consideration and temporarily laid
dSIue d nuInDer OF OIner letters. Inc
particular letter that brought in the
Intervention of the attorney said III
part:
Educate Congressman"
Il have letter from sIr. Morey in
which he says that Mr.. Cove will go
Ground trying to educate congress |
men, VIII you please give Mr.. Cove !
any statistics he may deslre.''
Harry Austin, clerk in the offices of
Mr.. Palmer, identified the letter as
being in Oxnard's handwriting Morey
was president of the Great Western |
Sugar company.
Ask Senate to Curb Committee
Mr. Oxnard and Mr.. Palmer took |
steps also to have the senate asked to !
restrain the lobby committee from en- |
amtning their private correspondence !
dated prior to the present session. l. |
was said that a resolution to that
effect would be introduced. Mean
while the committee worked on. Copies
of beet sugar articles sent out 70
thousands of small newspap pers in six
teen states west of the Mississippi
river and in Pennsylvania, Indiana,