The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-30
Action Is Direct Result
of President Wilson's
Statement.
HE WILL BE GLAD
TO FURNISH NAMES
Committee to Find Guilty Ones
and What Bills They Seek to
Change, and Interests Any
Senator'S May Have in Ar
ticles Mentioned in
Tariff Measure.

Washington, May 2s-After i. sharp
debate over terms, the Senate tonight
adopted resolution instructinE the
Judiciary Committee to Investigate the
charge that a lobby is being main
tnined In WashinEtOn or elsewhere to
influence impending leEislntfon, with
particular emphnsis upon It's efforts
for and against the Underwood tariff
bill. The resolution was In direct re-
hponse to the public abatement made
by President Wilxon that an insfdious
lobby was operating against the tarin
bill.
President Wflson, In his Talk with
newspaper correspondents to-day, de-
clarcd he wun In sympathy with the
proposed investigation, and would be
glad TO furnish the names of the lobby
lists to whom he referred, II "pubIic
necessity required
Under the resolution, which was
adopted as introduced by Senator
Cummins, with amendments by Sena-
tor Kern, the Judiciary Committee is
directed to report it's findings within
ten days. No provision was made for
open hearings.
Whnt Resolution Directs.
The resolution directs the commit
tee to report the names and methods
OF lobbyists and the bills they are
seeking to change"
The names of Senators to whom
representation by such persons or any
persons" were made and under what
circumstances, all persons to testify
under oath.
Whether any Senator is financially
or professionally interested in the
production, manufacture or sale OF any
article mentioned in the tarir mea-
sure.
The interest any Senator has in any
legislation pending or has had In any
legislation before the Senate during his
erm OF service.
The President is respectfully invited
to aid the committee in its investiga-
tion by giving to ii any Information
In his power relative to the investiga-
ton which he considers proper" to
make public
There was little difference of opinion
over the need for an investigation. A
sharp coiloQuy arose. however. when
Senator Kern proposed an amendment
to that part OF the resolution dealing
with the testimony of Senator'S and in
formation to be obtained from the
President.
The Cummins resolution provided
that the committee take the state
'ments under oath of all Senator's" who
had received representations during the
present session regarding pending leg
islation. Mr.. Kern's amendment au-
thorized the committee to ascertain
the character of representations made
to influence legislation by an persons
and the names Of Senators to whom
they were made"
Senator Cummins proposed to ask the
President to furnish the names of the
lobbyists 10 whom he referred in the
public statement issued by him." and
any other information about them or
their Efforts to bring about changes
in the resolution now before the SEN
ate which will promote the general
welfare" Under the Kern amendment
he is Invited to furnish any informa
tion in his possession with reference
to the subject matter of the investiga
ton which he considers 1t proper to
make public"
Kern Amendment Adopted.
Republicans, led by Senator Root
and Senator Cummins declared the
Kern amendments "emasculated" the
resolution. and left it practically value
less, while Democrats. under the lead
ership OF Senator'S Kern and Reed. held
that the change made little difference
in the end to be accomplished The
Kern amendment was adopted on n
strictly party vote, SO to 2s and the
resolution by viva voce vote without
any apparent dissent
Senator Swanson said he perceived
an effort to put the President in a false
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