The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-05-30
II uPSETS FOES
OF TARIFF BILL
WILSON'S Attack on Lobby Puts
Opposition Up IN the Air.
LEADERS DISCUSS STATEMENT

Capital a. Notice BY Him That He
10 Ready to Fight For Free Sugar
and Wool to the Finish, and " Need
De, viii Go Directly to the People
For support.
Washington, May 27. = President
Wilson's attack on the lobby main
tained in Washington against the ad.
ministration's tariff bill fell like
bomb among the opponents Of the
measure. Those who are opposed IN
the Underwood bill and who are seek.
ing TO have II changed expected a
fight, but they were not looking for II
20 soon or in such q direct, forceful
way.
The ranks Of the opposition we're
thrown into confusion by the presi-
dents charge Of the existence Of
numerous, industrious and insidi0us
lobby which 10 seeking to create an
ARTIFICIAL opinion and to overcome the
isterests Of the public for their pri.
vate pront."
A majority Of the leaders In the
Aght against the Underwood measure
have not entirely recovered their self.
p0osession, but from some OF them
cane charges Of unfairness and op.
preston against the president.
Although the president mentioned
no names In his statement, It was evi-
dent that he had especially In mind =
lobby now working here for the re.
storing OF duty on sugar In place Of
the ultimate free list provision In the
Underwood bill.
The presidents statement was i'm.
mediately interpreted here as notice
by him that he 10 ready to fight for
free sugar and free wool to the finish,
and that he intends to go directly to
the people of the country for his sup
port.
issued after an informal conversation
with newspaper correspondents. He
said:
4 What Wilson Said.
4 Il think that the public Ought TO
know the extraordinary exertion being
made by the lobby In Washington to
gain recognition for certain altera.
tions OF the tariff bill. Washington
has seldom seen 80 numerous. so In
dhstri0us or 80 insidious a lobby.
There Ia every evidence that money
without limit is being spent to sustain
this lobby and to create the appear
ance OF a pressure of public opinion
antgonistic to some Of the chief items
Of the tariff bill. II Is OF serious In.
terest TO the country that the people
at large should have no lobby and be
Voiceless In these matters, while great
bodies OF astute men seek to create
an artificial opinion and to overcome
the interests OF the public for their
private profit. The government In all
1ts branches ought to be relieved from
this int0lerable burden. l know that
In this ] am speaking for the mem.
6ers Of the two houses who would re.
50ice az much as ] would to be re.
oieved Of this unbearable situation
The presidents statement was In
terpreted here not only AZ blow to
the lobbyists, but az a move Indirectly
70 drive the threatening Democratic
senators into line. Democrats In con-
gress who objected to the presidents s
statement did SO chiefly on the ground
M implication OF corrupt influences
which might be read into II. Mr.. vii.
son himself. however, made 1t plain
In his conversation that he made no
charge OF that character.
Senator Ransdell OF Louisiana. who
mas been directing the fight In the
senate for restoration OF the duty
on sugar, when asked what comment
Ae had 20 make on President Wilson a
reference TO lobby In Washington.
said: Il do not know a thing in the
world about II. II does not ft me.
None OF my people is In the lobby"
Representative Underwood, Demo.
cratic leader In the house, said: IL
have not seen nor have | been advised
Of the presence OF an improper tariff
hobby In Washington"