Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-13
ATTACKS WILSON
AT LOBBY INQUIRY
GaIIinger Criticises Presi-
dents Methods in Handling
Tariff Question.
SENATOR'S REMARKS
CAUSE SENSATION
Calls Chief Executives Statements
Worst Kind of Influence.
Democrats Aroused.

President Wilson was brought into the
investigations of the special Senate com
mlttee today by Senator Gallinger as be-
ing man who came perilously near lob
bying in some of the things he has done
In connection with the tariff bill Sena-
tor Gallinger refrained from making a
direct charge that the President had
''lobbied' in defense of the Underwood
bill, but his intimatiOns We're SO broad
that the three democratic members of
the committee were up in arms in sec
ond and he was subjected to a long cross
examination on the subject of White
House influence.
Senator Gallinger'S statements came
out of a clear sky. He had gone through
the list of questions propounded to all
senators and was about to leave the stand
when Senator Reed asked final ques-
ton.
Gallinger's Criticism.
When a man says that he would hang
some one as high as 'Haman if that
person did not do certain things, Sen
ator Gallnger said, land that an indus
try that proposed reduction of wages and
did so would be investigated, l think that
| is about the worst kind of influence l can
imagine"
cial that gets up a scare about an in
sidious lobby" asked Senator Nelson.
THAT he intends to influence public
opinion and the opinion Of public men,
said Senator Gallinger.
Would you regard it as species Of
lobby"
From my own inability to define the
term to my own satisfaction perhaps
1 would not like to say 1t was
species of lobby influence"
1T was an intimatiOn that men are
afraid to use their own judgment lest
the people suspect them OF lobbying"
''It SO impressed me-" replied Senator
Gallinger.
You think then that members of
Congress can be intimidated?" asked
Chairman Overman.
Il have no disposition to critcise pub
lie officials for cheap partisan purposes.
said Senator Gallinger. II still am
forced to the belief that the powerful
influence used in behalf of free sugar
or free wool or free anything else. is as
Objectionable as anything else
Tries to Draw Line.
Senator Reed tried to draw the line
between the President acting in behalf
of the people who elected him and private
interests conducting a campaign for sell
fish ends.
Il am an old fashioned person." replied
OCAdIoi 0dllluScT SliIt DeucN6 In the
three coordinate branches of the gov
ernment. and it grieves me to see the
executive encroaching on the powers of
the others and attempting to influence
legislation.
The sugar men were represented" said
Senator Reed. Don't YOU think the
President had right TO use his in
fluence?"
II have not said he had not, and l
don't intend to say SO. The President
has a right to make his statement in
messages to Congress-
Don't YOU think that every President
since George Washington has consulted
with members of Congress- asked Sen
ator Reed
~ have no knowledge of that point:
my relationship has not been very close
with Presidents.
Don't you know that Abraham Lincoln
frequently consulted with members of
Congress about legislaton?' continued
Senator Reed.
Yes, but not concerning tariff legisla-
tion''
You mean on public business, not pri-
vate graft" said Senator Reed.
What do you mean by private graft ."
interjected Senator Nelson.
Regrets Use of Words.
Senator Reed explained that he meant
law in which private parties were in
terested in securing a tax that worked to
their benefit and not to the benefit of the
whole people He said later that the use
Of such words had been unfortunate and
Senator Gallinger announced that he
might have something to say on the sub
ject on the floor of the Senate later
Returning to presidential influence Sen
ator Reed asked if it was not all right
for public official to consult with men,
bers of Congress where great public
law was concerned, but not in reference
to a tariff bill.
Il think replied Senator Gallinser,
that when the President read the speech
of Senator Ransdell on sugar if he had
summoned him to his office in the Capi-
tol that is now used, and argued with
him with the great power of his office to
change his views and secure his vote
for free sugar, he would come danger
ously near lobbying. l don't know that
he did it,
you do not want to charge that the
President of the United States has
brought any kind of coercion to bear on
any members of Congress?'
Would Not Be Unfair.
81 would not undertake to do so. |
have no. disposition to criticise him un-
| fairly. Mr.. Gallinger said that he did
know that many democrats were COM
plalnlnS because more QmCeS We're not
filled and more nominations not sent to-
the Senate.
You don't mean to intimate that the
President Is holding up appointments to
compel them to vote for legislation they
do not desire
Il make no charge.
Owner of Rocky Farm
Snator Gallinger who had not previous
| ly testified told the committee he had no
| interests outside of little rocky farm
in New Hampshire" where he raised hay
and apples.
He knew of no improper influences or
lobbying methods
During my public life of four years
| in the House and twenty-five years In the
Senate" he said, II have never been ap-
preached by any one for himself Or for
any interest In behalf Of any legislation
| that seemed to me improper
Gallinger took exception to testimony
Senator Hollis of New Hampshire had
given, in which William Whitman. Win
throp L. Marvin, Herman F. Straw and
other New England textile representa-
| tives were referred to as lobbyists
so long as men can properly exert in
| fluence to secure legislation as has been
| done in very high quarters, it ought to
| he permitted to the interested parties to
l Continued on Fifth Pagsl