The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-06-12
SAYS WILSON USED
UNDUE INFLUENCE
SENATOR TOWNSEND SAYS THAT
CHARGES OF LOBBY lNFLu-
ENcED PUBLIC MIND.
SECRET CAUCUS CRITICISED
New Element Injected Probably VIII
Broaden Investigations Scope
Time Is Extended to the 2Sth
of June.

Washington, June Am unexpect-
Investigation when Senator Town
send of Michigan, Republican, declar-
ed on the stand that the influence
welded by President Wilson and by
the Democratic secret caucus upon
the making of the tariff bill constitut-
ed the nearest approach to undue in
fiuence upon members of congress"
that the investigating committee
would be able to find.
Senator Townsend criticised the
committee for not having asked mem
bers Of the senate whether the presi-
dent had sought to influence them,
and declared that even though the
president had not intended it, his re-
cent ~denunciation of ''lobbies' work
ing in support of changes in the tar
if would force certain senators to
vote against amendments they knew
to be Just.
Names Are Demanded.
who are the senators?" demanded
Senator Reed.
Il don't care to name anyone" re-
piled Townsend.
The two Democratic members of
the committee present, Senators Reed
and Walsh, Indignantly resented any
intimation that President Wilson had
used patronage or threats to force
wool, or to support the bill as a whole.
Senator Townsend insisted the com,
mittee had not asked any senator
thus far whether President Wilson
had tried to influence him.
Il move" interrupted Senator
Walsh, that in view of the serious
statements made touching the execu-
tive, that any senator who has al
ready testified may be recalled and
Intercepted in reference thereto"
II am for that" said Senator Mel
son. and members Of the committee
agreed.
Dragging President Wilson's tariff
activities into the investigation some
what intensified feeling within the
committee and it is expected that it
will make more searching the inves-
LEGATIONS still to be carried on.
Senator Weeks Testifes.
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts.
also a Republican, following Senator
Townsend on the stand. expressed the
opinion that executives have more
influence on bills than all the persons
who have come to Washington, put
together"
THE statement that the president
put out in regard to the insidious lob
by influenced the public mind" said
Senator Weeks, "and that has its eff
feet upon the senators. The public be-
lieves a lobbyist is a bad man and no
senator likes to oppose a a IL
the president says the lobbyists are
seeking to change IT,"
The senate has agreed to extend
the time limit for the lobby investiga-
ton 20 days, or until June %. Mem
bers of the committee doubt whether
II can be completed within that time.
Features of the so-called Hobbies on
ugar, wool and metals and liquors,
labor and other legislation, must then
be taken up as the second stage OF
the investigation.
Senator Townsend's statements in
relation to President Wilson were not
In the form OF charges. He expressly
said he did not charge the president
with using improper methods. but he
insisted that the charges that Hobbies
existed and the activity of the presi-
dent in support of free wool and free
sugar amounted to an undue influ-
ence," even though he did not use the
big stick" of patronage.