The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-07-16
JAMES REED SAYS
LOBBY MUST GO
Says. AT It's Best It is A
Nuisance. At its Worst It Is
Criminal"
CHARGES ARE SUBTANTIATED
Summary of Evidence Thus Far
Disclosed Show Reasons Why
Lobbying Should Stop
BY Congressman Clyde H. Tavenner

BY Congressman Clyde H. Tavenner
Washington, July 16-"The lobby
must CO., says United States Sena-
tor James A. Reed of Missouri. AT
it's best a legislative lobby is an
nuisance; at it's worst it is criminal;
in every stage it is menace"
Senator Reed is a member of the
Senate Lobby Committee. For days
he has been interrogating witnesses
before that committee. He declares
without another single word OF testi-
mony being taken, President Will
sons charges that a dangerous and
insidious lobby is in existence in
Washington, have been substantiated
in every way.
"The time has come in this coun-
try" says Senator Reed, when the
government ought to be regarded as
something besides a great goose out
of which every selfish hand is permit
ted to pluck it's bunch of feathers.
Certainly the time has come when,
If these selfish interests appear, the
President is justified in notifying the
people that the Philistines are upon
uS
81 do not include in the termlob-
by those men who come to the Cap
itol, appear before a proper commit
tee, present their cause openly and
publicly and then retire to their
homes. do include in the term those
who make their stay more or less per-
menent; who effect an organization
and embark on a crusade to promote
or prevent legislation by bringing
pressure to bear upon the legislators,
or who employ. methods more repre-
hensible.
"At its very best, the objection
lies that a lobby presents only one
side of a case and that if conducted
skilfully it is likely to effect the
Judgment even of intelligent men.
"Ninety times out of hundred
lobbyist has an axe to grind. Gen.
eraly he is engaged in scheme to put
money into his own purse. This lat
ter classification embraces practical
ly all of those gentlemen who come
to Washington about the time traiff
bill Is under discussion.
"There is a lobby at Washington.
In my opinion it is an insidious lob
by. 1t fills every element of Web
ster's definition-it is full Of plots; 1t
is watching for an opportunity to en-
snare; ATTEMPTED to entrap; It's char
acterized by treachery and deceit; it
is sly, crafty and Oily, I may add, it
Is selfish to the last extreme.
"The business view of two OF It's
leaders is illusarted by the fact that
the commander-in-chief of the sugar
lobbyists sent here by the planters of
Honolulu, when asked by Senator
Walsh, of course it takes money to
do all these things you have told us
about? answered.: "Precisely. And
will say that If we paid out 100000
we would consider it very small in
comparison with the .$80,O0O,OOO
that we have got involved in this in
dustry."
"Thus far the evidence has dis
closed:
81. That eighteen months ago the
campaign to maintain the present
land, it will be shown, the beet
sugar mill proprietors) began their
campaign to maintain the present
traiff.
"2. When Congress assembled
these gentlemen likewise assembled
and made common cause. ~
"3. They established expensive
headquarters-inde three separate
headquarters. They held innumerable
conferences. They agreed upon a con-
certed plan of action at the time
of this interview the evidence dis
Washington of something over $751;
900. What may be shown by further
Investigation to have been expended
In Washington or elsewhere can only
be surmised.
"a. At least five men who are
here as members of the lobby have
testified that they were under pay
of from ten to twelve thousand dol
lars per year each.
80. These gentlemen have ap-
peared before committees, have been
to see the President, have visited
arst and last, nearly every member
of the Senate, have filed briefs pres
enting their cause, and have filled
the newspapers with advertisements,
signed under the name of 1.-THE
Domestic Sugar Producers" This par
ttcular feature of their work is the
least Objectionable.
Sc. Months ago they began an
attempt to inflame public opinion
CONTINUED on last paesl.