Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-06-03
INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED
PERSONS AND CORPORATIONS
AFFECTED BY LEGISLATION
SEND EMPLOYEES.
THEY SPEND NO MONEY
SIMPLY CALL ATTENTION OF
COMMITTEES TO THEIR
PERSONAL BELIEFS.

Washington, June 3.-Senator Pen
rose today told the special senate
committee hunting for the lobby
that in his 16 years experience in
Washington he never had known of
any attempts to Improperly influence
members Of congress. He gave the
names Of ITS persons who had called
on him since January on the tariff
bill, and declared that none were lob
byists" in the general acceptation of
the term
"It is well known that certain in
terests have agents here" said the
senator, and l suppose they are paid
salaries, They evidently get infor-
nation for treir organizations. Their
work is perfectly legitimate. have
seen Mr.. Burgess for the pottery in
terests here for years and Mr.. Brown
for the cotton people. My own opin-
ion is that lobbyists are practically a
thing Of the past. Congressional com
mittees pay little attention to them
now
Senator Penrose thought that prob
ably Winthrop L. Marvin of Boston
represented "the wool people" in
Washington. and Senator Reed was
insistent to learn if Marvin ever had
anything to do with fixing the tariff
on wool or Brown with the cotton tar
iff. Senator Penrose insisted the men
did nothing more than present argu-
ments to senators and representa-
tives and that neither had anything
to do with making the rates Of the
Payne law.
Other senators testified they knew
Of no undue influences" and told OF
their personal interests. The list OF
ITS names which Mr. Penrose gave
the committee was made up of manu-
facturers, labor leaders, attorneys,
importers and others VINO feared they
would be affected by tariff changes.
Senator Penrose estimated that not
more than 40 per cent as many per-
sons had come to Washington on tar
iff business this year as compared
with four years ago, but reiterated
that the persons here now were here
at previous. tariff revisions
Senator Fall said Mr.. Burbridge
of colorado, whom he believed was
interested in the zinc trust" had
talked to him.
Ellis attitude was one Of indiffer-
ence," explained Senator Fail. He
was not lobbyist, honest or dishon
est"
Senator Penrose, VINO wanted tc
leave town, took the stand out of his
turn and testified he mad no interest
in anything affected by the tariff ex
eept as a stock holder in the United
States Sugar and Land company al
Garden City, Kansas.
''This company has never been
success" he said, even under pro
tective tariff and either is, or vii
soon be in the hands Of receiver"
The second day of tie senate prob
began with approximately one
fifth Of the total number Of senator
disposed of. AT such a rate of pre-
gress it would take four days more t
finish the investigation The senat
has allowed ten.
Senator Mclean was called as th
first witness. He testified he wa
small stockholder in several col
porations but he had never sought t
Influence senators because Of his il
terests. He gave list of variou
callers who discussed the tariff wit
him but he considered none Of thei
lobbyists.
The audience at todays inquir
thinned down to four within the frs
hour