New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-04
PLAN WIDE SCOPE FOR
HOUSE LOBBY INQUIRY
Rules Committee Expected to
Favor an Investigation Prac-
tiCaIIy Unlimited.
TO COVER ALL INTERESTS"
Methods of Stock Exchange,
Banks, Railroads and Other
"Aggregations of Capital
To Be Scanned.
From TIE Tribune Bureau. !


Washington, July "A House lobby
investigation which will embrace not
only the Mulhall charges, but the &C
tivities of various Hobbies believed to
have taken an interest in practically
all important legislation OF recent
years, is the programme OF the Rules
Committee, which met to-day TO con-
slider resolutions for insttuting a
House inquiry.
The committee will report on Satur-
day resolution authorizing an in
vcstigation, and If the plans Of Repre-
sentative Henry do not miscarry the
House committee will have expert
counsel to aid members in seeking the
secrets of the lobbyists. Samuel
Untermyer. counsel for the recent PuJo
money trust committee. is mentioned
as the probable counsel.
The tentative programme Of the
Rules Committee is to draft resolu-
ton for an investigation which Will
keep the lobby committee busy for
NttH0s w ilI Allf NhhlAdli NHui eNo a.
the basis, the investigators will look
into the methods Of large financial in
situations, the New York Stock EX-
change, railroads and labor and anti
labor organizations which may have
eXerted an influence, direct or indirect,
on legislation. The campaigns OF the
prohibtonists aud -prohibitionists
are also to be subjected to scrutiny.
After Big Interests.
Chairman Henry believes the COM
mittee should also investigate the re-
ports that large financial institutions,
such as the Standard Oil Company and
the firm of j. p. Morgan & Co., main
tain publicity bureaus and press agents
20 disseminate information favorable
to Wall Street
1t is probable that the resolution
drafted by the Rules Committee will
follow closely that introduced by Rep
resentative Tavenner. of Illinois, which.
proposes a committee of seven mem
bers to investigate the following:
To what extent improper influences
have been and are being eXerted in
connection with any past or pending
fiscal legislation. banking and currency
legislation and legislation affecting
, labor and its employers.
Whether financial institutions. such
as the New York Stock Exchange, are
exerting or have attempted TO exert
influence 10 prevent or modify legsla-
ton looking TO the control Of interock-
ing directories and other devices
which result in the Capitalization OF
wealth under the domination Of what
is known as the money trust"
Whether powerful aggregations Of
capital have sought or are now seek
ing to exert undue influence over leg
islation involving the conservation to
the public Of the water power, mineral
and other resources Of the United
States and Alaska.
To Look Into Railroad Influence.
What efforts if any, have been made
or are being made by railroads TO in
huence unduly legislative or admin
istratiye action TO their benefit
To what extent has this undue in
fuence or invisible government been
used by individuals and corporations TO
gain advantage in the letting Of con-
tracts for government supplies, such as
armor plate powder, submarine boats,
aeroplanes and other military supplies,
as well as the supplies of the postofflce
and other departments.
Whether and TO what extent such in
sidious and improper influences have
been exerted or are now being eX-
erted in connection with legislation sf-
fccting the American Indians, inter-
state commerce. coastwise and foreign
shipping. the Philippine Islands, the
control of the sale or shipment OF in
toxicating liquors, and such other leg
islative or administrative matters as
may come to the attention of the COM
mittee.