The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-11
TO EXTEND LOBBY INQUIRY.
ALL ORGANIZED ACTION TO IN
FLUENCE LEGISLATION TO
BE INVESTIGATED.
Action Determined upon at After
noon Session After Several Senators
Had Shown That Organized and
Vigorous Work Was Being Car
ried OH by Interests.

lobby" investigating committee de-
cided tonight to extend it's present in
quiry into a sweeping investigation of
all organized efforts that have been
made to influence action upon lcgisla-
ton of any kind pending before cen
gress, or under consideration in the
recent past.
This action was determined upon at
the end Of the afternoon session, after
several senators had added to the
testimony already given tending to
show that well organized and vigorous
work is being done by commercial in
terests upon the sugar, wool and other
tariff issues. The committee decided
to subpoena practically all persons
thus far mentioned by senators as
among their tariff callers" and to
learn the exact nature of all organ
lied work that is being directed to-
ward influencing any member of con-
gress upon any subject. Efforts of the
committee will be centred at first
upon the suga.' fight next upon wool,
and after full investigation will be
made that will take in activities of
prohibition and liquor "lobbies," the
Alskan railroad forces, labor unions,
farmers protective organizations and
all other organizations that have
carried on publicity campaigns, end
less chain letter writing or other
means of influencing members of the
senate or house.
Senator Overman, chairman Of the
committee, said today that he be-
lieved the investigation already had
established the fact that powerful in
fiuenCes was welded upon senators by
the organized forces conducting cam
paigns to mould or influence public
opinion.
This. he said, constituted q new
style lobby" of tremendous power.
Senator Reed, a member Of the
committee, sent word to President
Wilson during the day that he be-
lie:ed the testimony of Senator Rams
dell and other witnesses fully estab-
lished the truth of the presidents re-
cent statement. upon which the reso-
no
based, that a powerful lobby existed
in d" Washington, at least upon the
sugar tariff issue.
The discussion of the committee to-
night has SO brOadened the scope OF
it's work that members don't know
when the inquiry can be concluded
The ten day limit fixed by the Cum
minis resolution will expire tomorrow
night, but Senator Overman will ask
the senate to give him unlimited time
for the probe. Thus far only senators
have been examined and the senate
list will De finished tomorrow.
The sergeant at arms of the SEN
ate was directed tonight to issue many
additional subpoenas for persons
wanted as witnesses.
The next phase of the investigation
will be taken up Monday with the
calling of the first men identified with
the free sugar and anti-free sugar
campaign. Names given by President
Wilson, others furnished by the mem
bers of the senate on the witness stand
and still others that have been sent
to Senator Overman by outside parties
constitute the list Of those who have
been or will be subpoenaed.
Members of the senate have almost
unanimously testified that no i'm
proper methods have been used to in
fluence them and that the men who
have called upon them are not lob
byists" in the sense that that term is
generally used. The committee found
1t is impossible tonight, however. to
define a lobbyist" or to fix a limit to
its investigation. 1t was determined.
therefore, to investigate everything
that shows any sign Of having been an
organized or prearranged plan to in
nuence congressional action.
Questions as to the interest the
Mormon church holds in sugar and
woolen factories in Utah brought
about lively clash between Senator
SmOOt and Democratic members Of
the committee late today. Senator
SmOOt said the church held a small
amount of stock in the Utah-Idaho
Sugar company, and in the knight
Woolcn Mills company at Provo; ne
resented questions by Senators Reco
and Walsh that he though carried the