The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-31
MAPPING OUT PLANS
To UNEARTH LOBBY
OUGHLY INVESTIGATE CHARGE
MADE BY THE PRESIDENT.

WASHINGTON, May 3o.-The jul
dietary committee of the senate will
meet tomorrow morning at 1890
o'clock to adopt a plan for carrying
on an investigation Of the charges
made by President Wilson that a lob
by is actively at work in Washing
ton to defeat important features Of
the pending Underwood tariff bill.
The investigation was ordered by the
senate yesterday.
In the absence from Washington of
Senator Culberson, chairman of the
committee. Senator Overman, ranking
member of the committee, Is acting in
the chairman's place. and the call for
a meeting was issued at his sugges-
ton.
Senator Overman's Statement.
Senator Overrnan said today that
one of the important matters which
must be considered Is whether the in
vestigation is to be conducted by the
full committee or by subcommittee.
He said the full membership Of the
committee is seventeen. a rather I'M
wieldly number to conduct an inves-
tigation. If a, subcommittee is auth
orized to do the work, it probably will
number five or seven.
There is every disposition to hurry
the work Of investigation. since the
resolution by the senate provides that
a report must be made within ten
days. Should the committee find 1t
impossible to report as soon as this,
it may ask for an extension of time.
Probe Resolution Adopted.
The senate adopted the resolution
instructing the senate judiciary COM.
mittee to investigate President Will
sons charge that an insidious lobby
is being maintained In Washington to
defeat certain features of the pend
ing tariff bill. after a protracted de-
bate.
President Wilson yesterday signi-
fed his sympathy with the investiga-
ton and said he would be glad to
furnish the names OF the lobbyists to
whom he had referred II public nee
essity requires 1t.
The resolution. introduced by Sem
ator Cummins and amended by Sem
ator Kern, directs the judiciary COM
mittee to report its findings within
ten days. The resolution as adopted
directs the committee to report the
names and methods OF lobbyists and
the bills or items, IL In the tariff bill.
they are seeking to change"
For Names Of Senators.
The names OF senators to whom re-
presentations by such persons or any
persons" were made and under what
circumstances; all persons to testify
Whether any senator is financially or
professionally interested IN the produc-
ton. manufacture or sale OF any article
The interest any senator has in any
legislation pending or has had in any
legislation before the senate during his
The president is respectfully invited
ito aid the committee In Its investiga-
ton by giving to 1t any information
vestigation which he considers proper
to make public" III.
-, All Agreed Upon Inquiry.
since the president had issued q state
ment which might be understood to re-
Meet upon the honor OF the senate, the
or nspd ne
proposed amendment however. led to a
sharp debate. Senator'S Root and Cum
dealing with the testimony OF senators
and the information to the obtained
from the president, would emasculate
In the original Cummins resolution
II was provided that the committee
take the. statement under oath OF all
senators" who had received representa-
tives during the present session regard
ing pending legislation.
Mr.. Kern's amendment authorized the
committee to ascertain the character
Of representation made to influence
legislation by any person, and the
name OF any senator to whom they are
made"
Senator Cummins' resolution also
asked the president to furnish the
names OF the lobbyists to whom he re-
ferred in the public statement issued
by him. The Kern amendment invites
the president to furnish any informa-
ton in his possession which he con-
sidered proper to make public.
The Kern amendment was adopted on
strictly party vote SO to rs, and the
resolution was passed by viva voce
vote without apparent dlssent.------.----~.~