The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-18
WITNESS TELLS HOW GOVERN.
MENT THROUGH IT'S PRESS
rs AND MAILS. HELPED
ANTI-EREE SUGAR
CRUSADE.
Thousands of Pamphlets Sent out BY
Franks OF Scnators--srtlcles Print
cd as Public Documents-Freema
&. Palmer. Representative OF the
United states Beet Sugar Industry,
Tells Committee Of Works of Lob
by.


government printing Office and the
postoffice department helped In the
night against free sugar through the
use OF congressional franks for send
ing anti-free sugar literature" cir
cuiating throughout the land was
brought out today by the senate lobby
investigating committee. Truman G..
Palmer. Washington representative
OF the United States beet sugar In
dustry. On the stand the entire day
ana ths object OF a sweeping cross
examination. testified that more than
100000 copies OF arguments In be-
half OF beet sugar had been turned
odt by the government printing office,
made public documents by order of
congress, and had gone out under the
franks OF senators and representa-
tives
Sugar at a Glance" prepared by
him. he said. had attained a circula-
tioc OF $4,000 copies under the frank
OF senator Lodge. Report of the
Finance Committee" by the same
senator had beaten the phamphlet by
$4,000 copies. The franks of Senators
Smoot. Former Senator Curtis and
DICK and the late Representative
Maltby. Representative Pickett and
Representative Martin had swelled
the total to more than 1.500.O0O.
The printing OF some OF this num-
Der had been paid for by the beet
sugar people, the witness said, but
the free postage had saved them
about s2s.000.
Sugar at Second Glace,' which
he intimated. was inspired by the
Federal Sugar Refining company and
which was an argument In favor of
free sugar. had also been printed as
a public document and circulated un-
der the franking privilege. He did
not say nor did the committee ask
why the frank was so used.
Mr.. Palmer said that the beet sugar
men had spent about $50, 900 in
their campai gn against free sugar
since 1909 About $4,000 had been
used since last November and abou,
$4,000 of that amount since the be-
ginning Of the present session of con-
grcss.
Much of II has been spent In pub
hcity work." In printing. salaries and
a good sized sum in motion pictures.
He said that the beet producers In
his association were assessed about
cents n ton. nc thought. The last
assessment was made in April, bring
Ing In about $4,000. anu the previous
one In February about $4,000.
Palmer said that when senato.
Lodge made speech on sugar In
July. 1912. the charts subsequently
used In Sugar at "a Glance" were on
the walls of the senate chamber. SEN
ator Lodge secured the permission OF
the senate TO have them printed as a
public document Questioned by men,
bers OF the committee, the witness
said that after the charts had been
sent to the government printing Of
nee and proof In black and white
had been made of them. he had dis
covered they were not suitable for
publication. He had, therefore. sent
them to private printing concern
and had them prepared in a fashion
ne thought. suitable. This. he main
tsined. was done with the knowledge
Of Senator Lodge and he considered
that he was acting for the senator in
the matter.
Members OF the committee express
ed surprise that any one should I'm any
way change something authorized to
be printed by the senate. They de-
veioped that the permission was Sc
cured by Senator Lodge for printing
on July "a and that one of the spe-
ciei issues OF Sugar at a Glance"
referred to an order OF the senate
on August 1. In the same matter.
The second order referred To- data
prepared by Truman @. Palmer and
purported To be signed by Charlie.
q. Bennett. then secretary of the
senate. Mr.. Palmer said ne supposed
that the order had been made and
That he got II In the proofs OF the
charts at the printing office. The
Congressional Record OF August !. nc
cordlng To Senator Cumm. ms. show
cd no such order, nor did the journal
OF the senate nor the files In it's doc
ument room.
You substituted at the government
pripting office for the document you
received from the clerk Of the SEN
ate this privately printed copy?" said