The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-10
But Few Senators Yet to
Appear Before the
Committee i
G.. A. FAULKNER
TAKES THE STAND
Knows of No Lobby in Reference to
Railroad Matters-Hull, kapp
and Bennett Are Cross
Examined

Washington. June 9-Turning away
from the examination of colleagues who
might have been influenced in matters OF
legisat tion. the Senate lobby Investigate
ing committee late today began to in
quire into the Washington pursuits of
those who might have exercised the in
fluence. with only half dozen senator's
yet to take the witness stand the ma
iority of the committee Is convinced that
it has seen a flash of the underground
workings of lobby and believes that
only patient search is needed to reveal
the trial that will lead to the authority
Many members apparently are not SO
certain that an "insididuous lobby will
be discovered. The few senators who
have not been heard are out of the city
but VIII testify before the hearings.
One former senator and four former
representatives today admitted more or
less interest in legislation at the capitol.
but none would say that he considered
his cause unjust, that be had done
anything improper Their work had been
done in the open. they said, and consisted
mostly in the filing of briefs before COM
mittees of Congress, making oral argu-
ments in behalf of clients and arranging
for hearings for their employers. Senator
Reed. the principal inquisitor. apparently
expected to show that many men spend
most of their time in Washington. with
nothing to do but convince Congress 1t is
wrong about particular legislation.
Faulkner Testifies
Former Senator Charles A. Faulkner Of
| West Virginia, the first witness ON the
outside. told the committee he represented
% of the big railroads of the country
and had represented them here for many
years.
Faulkner said he knew of no lobby that
has ever been brought in reference to
railroad matters for the purpose of in
fluencing members of Congress-
! Ny. business has been to find hills
that affect railroads, send them to nF
clients. ana give my opinion OF them
he said. 'If the railroads find some
thing they regard as prejudicial or
If they need amendment they notify mo
! to arrange a hearing before the COM
mittee in charge"
| Senator Cummins said Faulkner had
appeared four or five times before him
and that questions at issue had been
argued as they would in a court.
The other former congressional Wit
nesses were J. A. II. Hull of Iowa, A.
w. Kopp of Wisconsin. Charles S. Ben
nett of New York and Charles b. Lam
dis of Indiana
Mr. Hull said he had been out of
Congress for two years and had been
in Washington most of the time since
He had represented an association of
corn products manufacturers in con-
nection with the pending tariff bill.
presenting his case by filing briefs
with the House ways and means com
mittee, and sending letters to senator's
He had talked with Senator Cummins
because the latter was familiar with
the duties in which he was Interested.
MI Hull said he had been Interested
also in legislation for the veterinarian
association of the United States which
wished to obtain commissioned ranking
for its members in the army: for !.
Mr.. Baker of Philadelphia. who was in
terested In the duty on cocoanuts and
for representatives, of the government
of Ecuador who wished government en-
gineers to investigate sanitary condi-
tions there He also figured in Leg
islation affecting the telephone COM
pany in the District of Columbia
Accept Employment
Il suppose you would accept employ
ment from any institution or concern
that wanted you to appear before COM
mittees of Congress, so long as you
regard the matter as public and
straightforward? d?' asked Senator Red
Il would" answered Mr.. Hull
THAT may be said to be your pres
ent occupation and employment"
II would hardly like to say that
was the reply.
Mr.. l<opp declared he had spent proha-
bly, three weeks In Washington shortly
after his retirement from Con-
gress IN March. Although he had once
declined, he said. at the earnest solicita-
tion of people in his home district. he had
come back 10 Washington to present argli-
ments In behalf of the lead and zinc
schedules. The WAYS and means commit
tee had completed its work ne added and
the only three members he talked to were
Representatives Kitchin, Collier and
Decker.
Former Congressman Bennett tolls of
fling a brief in behalf of the Diamond
Trade Tariff league. interested In the dia-
mond schedule in charge He saw two
members of the suo committee In charge
of the schedule during an hours stay in
Washington.
| Mr.. Bennett said he also had filed briefs
and made arguments for lace Ipanufac-
| turers.
Mr.. I.andis GU. OF Congress for four
years said he had been in the employ of
the DUPONT Powder company for three
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