The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-06-12
MISSOURI DONKEY
DEALERS HELPING
. SUGAR INTER -STS.

Washington. June 10.-More light was
thrown upon the activities Of the sugar
lobby at the hearing today by the Sen
ate committee investigating the exist
ence Of an organized lobby seeking to
influence members with reference to
the pending tariff bill Senator Reed.
OF Missouri, a member or the commit
tee, declared that the sugar interests
even had enlisted the assistance OF
mule dealers in an effort to prevent
placing sugar on the free list. The com
mittee will wind up its examination OF
today and tomorrow will be-
GIN examining witnesses suspected of
being employed by interest that would
De affected by q reduction OF the tariff.
lt was admitted that the investiga-
ZION already had outgrown it's original
bounds, 1t originally was intended to
develop evidence concerning the influ-
ences President Wilson charged were
being brought against the tariff bill.
put the testimony Of senator's has
broadened the scope of the Inquiry to
touch many subjects. Under the ex-
tension OF time granted by the Senate,
3Chalman Oyerman's committee ex-
pected TO develop all the new phases.
Sutherland on Stand.
senator Sutherland, the first wit
ness, told the committee he owned 200
shares in the u~tah-Idaho Sugar com
pany. worth S7.S5 a share, and SO
shares in the Amalgamated Sugar
company worth 800 a share. He had
no interest in wool, but declared he had
voted for a reasonable duty on sugar
and wool. Any other curse on his
part, he said, would be nothing o
than "hypocritical affectation."
I'm a long service in the Senate and
House. he added, II have never known
any member or either body to be I'M
properly influenced on any legislation
nor have j known of any attempt on
the part OF any one to exer improper
influence. E5r 80 SRI
President Wilson told callers today
he expected the lobby investigation to
have beneficial results through the
publicity given to the conditions SUR
rounding the making of the tariff bill.
When asked his opinion OF the charge
made by Senator Townsend as to his
own influence with reference to legis-
lation. the president replied it needed
no comment. =. Isis a. "
q Mules and Sugar. '
Senator Reed said he had no personal
connections affected by the tariff and
had talked reduction to all his brother
senators whenever possible. He did
not know any lobbyist, at least In a
way to associate names and faces; had
not been subject to any attempts at
influence and knew nothing of any use
of money improperly, u was certain,
however, that a new system OF at
tempting to influence legislation had
risen in this country. He illustrated
by telling the committee about tele>
grams from horse and mule dealers In
st. Louis. saying: ."fi
Please vote for a duty on uga 1t
- -. An, &C.,, n,t q. nrnnarNFa tho T0lItA
Industry OF Missouri &1
1T. is plain to me that sugar planters
were seeking to influence b men from
whom they bought mules" said he.
Judging from these circumstances
and others, / believe there is a system
growing up by which attempts are
made TO reach representatives or SEN
.atOrs by indirect methods. 1t begins
through business connections and
ally they find someone In the district
OF a representative n through him
make an appeal to- local citizens and
have them send letters or kilograms
appealing in behalf of the people OF
the state. AS a matter OF fact, 1T is
an appeal from the people, but a selfish
appeal. I don't, think this hearing
should be confined to tariff legislation,
/ think a strong effort is being made
hei. to. affect the passage of the t0rin
bill or effect a modification OF 1t. How
strong 1t is. l don't know" .
Senators Influenced, He Says.
How many senators of the 70 you
have heard testify here. do you think
have been improperly infIuenced?'
asked Senator Nelson.
None"
You think senators nave 10 far
beer immune from the serious infec-
ton OF the lobby?"
IT fHf~lE that for MANY NnAFGS fhn
majority in congress "a have been
influenced by argument put forth by
selfish interests and that many n
tors nave been Influenced by them.
That was when the lobby fiourished in
Washington like a green bay tree"
THE country doesn't need any pro-
,fessional lobbyists" he said. Il do be-
Iieve In free speech. 1 believe In the.
right of a litigant in court to come
himself and send his attorney and
make his showing and then sc HON
and not stay and try to get private
conferences with members of the our
1t Ia q very unpleasant thing when
Ia in session that interests
send representatives to the capital
open headquarters, employ clerks and
fasten themselves here k barnacles.
Lobbying Is the business Of changing
votes. The men who come here all
want to get something by virtue OF
law or maintain some advantage
they have got"
Mr.. Bankhead's View.
Senator Bankhead sale he had
served 26 years in congress. had heard
of Hobbies, but never saw one. He did
not agree to running headquarters here
to influence legislation was to be con-
demned.
Senator Walsh said he had small in
terests in coal. copper n zinc mines,
cattle farms and citrus fruit lands i'm
Florida. Montana, he said. was vital
ly interested in the tariff on sugar and
wool. ,.
we expected a great reduction" he
said. "a very substantial one on wool
and sugar nut we did confidently eX.
pect them to carry a revenue duty"