Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-02
SENATORS DENY
KNOWLEDGE OF
A TARIFF LOBBY
First One Accused by Wit
nesses Named as "McMur-
ray" by Colleagues.
MILLIONS HIS STAKE
IN INDIAN CONTRACTS
President Will Not Be Called by
Sub-Judiciary Committee
in Inquiry.

WASHINGTON, June o. The first
senators to testify today at the Sem
ate's investigation of the charge that
a lobby is working against the tariff
bill, declared they Knew of no inn
proper influences being exerted; no
use of money and had not themselves.
attempted to improperly influence any
other senators. All admitted having
talked with manufacturers interested
in the tariff, having hearo arguments
and protests, but all considered such
proceedings strictly legitimate and
none considered the men with whom
they talked as Lobbyists"
Senator Ashurst however. declared
that "a man named McMurray" had
been attempting improperly to infiu-
ence senators against the movement
to cancel certain Indian contracts by
which McMurray is said to stand TO
receive SO, 0o0 Senator Borah re-
ferred also to "the man Senator AS
hurst mentioned"
Just before the committee began
taking testimony Chairman Overman
and Senator Reed conferred with Pres
ident Wilson. 1t was said the Presi-
dent would not bes called before the
committee, but would transmit any
information he might have on the
subject of lobby"
Opening the Investigation.
1t has been estimated that hun
dreds of men interested in manufac-
turing or other business affected by
the tariff have been in Washington
during the last few weeks and many
senators declare it would be impos-
sible tdremember all the persons who
have called upon them to make ap-
peals for changes.
Senators Ashurst. Bacon, Bank
head and Borah were the first asked
to appear before the committee. A
. schedule has been prepared limiting
the questioning of each senator 10
fifteen minutes, and providing for ses-
sions of the committee until 10 o'clock
each night.
Conference with President 4
Before the investigating committee
met. Senators Overman and Heeo
went to the White House and had
long conference with Presidents Wal
son Roth declined to talk of their
visit. but the President told inqliirers
he had made suggestions to the sena-
tors which would be developed In the
court of inquiry He declined to say
what they were
when the hearing opened some
newspaper photographers ordered the
committee members around IN
business-like way, while picture
was taken Senators Bacon ana
Ashurst moved aside.
al don't care to get into such
picture" said Senator Bacon,
senator Ashurst was first called.
He testified he was not interested
directly or indirectly, financially IN
the production, manufacture or sale
of anv article mentioned in the tarln
hin or any other bill pending before
congress nor had he sought to IN
f1uence any other senator
Getting Lobbyist Roll.
The committee then made the first
effort to secure list of so-called
"lobbyists.r or persons who have
"talked with senator's about the
tariff senator Ashurst said he had
not kept. a record of those who had
talked with him. but he was prepared
to give names of all he could remem-
ber. The first was William kettner,
of California" who had asked him to
fn0 out WnelneI IliclC WOoio W oiAJ
further reduction in the tariff on
lemons and fruits. The senator
asked Chairman Simmons, of the
finance committee, and the latter
said he thought the Underwood rates
would stand.
But | told him." said Senator
Ashurst, that | wanted 1t distinctly
understood that in asking the ques-
ton 1 was not urging that the tariff
be not reduced"
A Mr.. Mcclure representing Wes-
tern sheep men and Mr.. Tomlinson,
representing cattle men. Senator
Ashurst said, called upon him and
by legitimate argument sought to
show him that the sheep and cattle
business would be hurt by the bill
Nothing improper was said to me
by these men and what they did
every American citizen has a right
to do-talk to their senator about
their business affairs said he. No
one, he declared, had tried improperly
to influence his action.
.McMurray- lis Accused.
Senator Ashurst said that he did
believe however, that man named
.McMurray'' had been attempting to
influence improperly the action of
senators with respect to preventing
the cancellation of certain contracts
he, (McMurray) held with Cherokee
Indians for the sale of land. whereby
he would receive $3,500,00
HE is the smoothest lobbyist
have ever seen," added the senator.
He could carry bundle of cells up
stairs without dropping a single one"
Senator Ashurst said he considered
any man or woman a lobbyist" who
'buttonholed senators or members of
Congress and urged them to vote for
certain measures or suffer reprisal in
the elections"
Il do not consider a man a lobbyist
: who files legitimate arguments with
Congress about matters in which he
is interested" the senator said
Senator Bacon, who followed Sena-
tor Ashurst, said that .out of an
abundance of caution" he wanted to
tell the committee that he owned a
small farm in Georgia on which some
articles might be raised that were
affected by the tariff.
A sewer pipe factory, street rail-
way q gas company and an electric