Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-09

about kilograms from horse and mule
dealers in st. Louis saying: PLEASE vote
for duty on sugar: II is very necessary
to preserve the mule industry of Mis-
souri,"
1T is plain to me that sugar planters
were seeking to influence the men from
whom they bought mules said he.
Judging from these circumstances. and
ing up by which attempts are made to
reach representatives or senators by in
direct methods.
1T begins through business connections
and finally they find some one in the DIS
trict OF representative and through him
make an apr cal to local citizens. and
have them send letters or kilograms APP
pealing in behalf Of the people Of the
state. AS a matter of fact. it Is an APP
peal from the people. but selfish appeal.
| don't think thls has been confined TO
tariff legislation. I think a strong ef-
fort is being made here to affect the pas
sage Of e tariff bill or effect a nodif-
cation Of it. How strong 1t is I don't
know
None Improperly Influenced.
How many senator's Of the seventy
you have heard testify here do you think
have been improperly inf1uenced?' asked
Senator Nelson.
None" answered Mr.. Reed.
'"Then the lobby so far as the Senate
is concerned has proved rather harm
less?"
Il don't agree with that"
Have you discovered any senator who
has been misled by moral sllasion?"
THAT Is asking me to express my opin-
ion on the motives that impel the actions
of senator's said Reed.
You think senator's have so far been
immune from the serious infection Of the
lobby"
IF you want my opinion, I think that
for many years the majority in Congress
put forth by selfish interests, and that
many senators have been Influenced by
them
THAT was before the days of REFORM =
said Senator Ne-son.
THAT was when the lobby f1ourished In
Washington Ike the green bay tree
Senator Reed said he believed that
those interested in a bill had right to
come to Washington to make arguments
to committees or to senator's about its
provisions
But the country don't need any pro-
fessional lobbyists" he said. II do be-
lieve In free speech. l believe in the ght
Of a liugant in court to come himself or
send his attorney. and make his show
ing, and then 60 home and not stay and
try to get private conferences with MEM
bers of the court"
1T is a very unpleasant thing when
Congress is in session that interes s
send representatives to the capital. open
Headquarters. employ clerks and fasten
themselves here like barnacles."
''L' bbying Is the business of changing
votes. he said. The men who come
here all want to get something by virtue
of law or maintain some advantage they
have got"
Lobbyists Dodge Bankhead.
Senator Bankhead said he had served
twenty-six years in Congress. had heard
of lobbyists, but never saw one face to
face. He didn't agree that running
headquarters here to influence lesisla-
ton was to be condemned. He said sem
ators usually had headquarters in cam
paign years. and in presidential cam
| aigns all parties put their views before
the country.
Senator Walsh, q member of the COM
mi tee, confessed to small interests in
coal. copper and zine mines. cattle.
all things that brought him into the
class of those affected by the tariff
bill Senator Walsh said Montana is
vitality interested III the tariff on sugar
and wool.
We expected Il great reduction" he
said. "a very substantial one on WOO,
and sugar. but we did confidently eX-
Garfield One Of Callers.
Among his tariff talking callers. said
Of tie Interior James R. Garfield. former
Gov. Adams of Colorado and President
Elliott of the Northern Pacific Railway,
n Of xxyl,c nr inter.
ested in the sugar schedule.
Il feel there is a lobby here and has
been all the time he said "A lobby
is Ike river. it flows by ali the time.
The individual atoms change Sena-
tor Walsh added, however. that the lobby
did not seem to him to be corrupt.
Il think there has been an objection
able and scandalous lobby he e. said
senator Poindexter. less now than in
1899. but it is here now Any man or set
of men who make u business of APP
aroaching senators to influence legis a
t;e,., Is bie".ionable. and steps should be
taken to restrict It. ! don't mean money
has been used
Poindexter Tells of Dinners.
Senator Poindexter told of a dinner
he attended here about year and a
half ago at which several senators
were present and at which conserya-
ton was discussed.
Il heard afterward-I don't know
how true it is-that the dinner was
paid for By the coal interests. al
though given in another mans name"
he said
He called attention of the committee to
the dinners given here by Edward Hines.
the Chicago lumberman, and TO the sue
cessful campaign" Of former Representa-
tive Littauer of New York. who he said
was able to hold the Payne-Aldrich bill
In conference for many days and secure
fina " a compromise on the glove sched-
uIe. in which he was interested.
Senator Poindexter said he had some
interests in wheat and lumber, both tariff
affected subjects.
Former Members Of Congress.
Senator Poindexter told the committee
that he believed several former members
of both houses OF Congress might be
found TO have practiced lobbying here.
He named former Senators Dick of Ohio
Butter Of North Carolina and Du Bots OF
Idaho, and former Representatives Wat
son of Indiana and Lttauer of New
York. =
He did not accuse any Of these men Of