Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-06-09
PRIVATE INFLUENCES WORK
ATTEMPT is BEING MADE TO AT
Feet ACTION OF CONGRESS
ON THE TARIFF
TO DRAW DISTINCTION
PERSONS OR FIRMS WHO PRE-
SENT ARGUMENTS WILL NOT
BE CALLED LOBBYISTS

Washington, June 8. When the
last senator had testified today be-
before the special committee hunting
for the lobby, it was predicted at
the capitol that the report Of the in
vestigators would substantially up
hold President Wilson's declaration
that private influences have been at
work in Washington attempting to af-
feet congress on the tariff bill.
Whether it will be shown that "in-
sidious" methods have been used, or
that improper influences have been
exerted upon senator's, will depend on
the evidence of the next few days,
when the committee examins a
score or more Of men who have called
on senators or directed publicity cam
paigns.
The committee will attempt to draw
clear distinction between an organ
lied campaign to change public opin-
ion or influence senators against their
Judgment and the legimitimate pre-
sentatiou Of arguments and facts By
representatives of industrial concerns
affected by legislation.
The United States senate s
lobby hunt plunged into its second
week today. Less than dozen sena
tors remained to be examined before
the committee took up another traq
and began calling a score or more OF
men mentioned in the testimony Of
senators as being on one side or the
other of the free sugar fight or Of
being attorneys for special represen-
tatiYes in Washington.
Senator Sutherland, the first wit
ness, told the committee he owned
zoe shares in the Utah-Idaho Sugar
company, worth $7,S5 share, and
50 shares in the Amalgamated Sugar
company, worth s100 share. He
had no interest in wool. but declared
he had voted and would vote for 9
reasonable duty on sugar and wool
Any other course on his part, he said
would be nothing more than "hypo
critical affectation.
Senator Reed said he had no per
sonal connections affected by the tar
liff He did not know any lobbyist
had not been subjected to any at
tempts at influence and knew moth
ing Of improper use Of money, buf
was certain that a new system Of at
tempting to influence legislation had
risen in this country He told the
committee about telegrams from
horse and mule dealers in st. Louis
saying:
please vote for duty on sugar;
'lit is very necessary to preserve tbs
mule industry Of Missouri
ut is plain to me that sugar plant
ers were seeking to influence the
men from whom they bought mules,
he said. Judging from these circum
stances and others, / believe there i
a system growing UP by which at
tempts are made to reach represen
tatives or senators by indirect meth
odss
How many senators Of the 70 yol
have heard testify here do you thinI
have been improperly influenced?
asked Senator Nelson.
None replied Senator Reed
sYou think senators have so IA
been immune from the serious infeS
tion Of the lobby?7
4 think that for many years tn
majority in congress may have bee
influenced by argument put forth b
selfish interests and that many seps
tors have been Influenced By then
That was when the lobby flourishe
( lin Washington like a green bay tree.
@The country doesn't need an
professional lobbyists he said.