The Washington times., 1913-07-05
LOBBY INQUIRY IS
ORDERED BY HOUSE
Demand Thorough Probe of
! MuIhaII charges-Levy Only
:, One to Object.
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First Page.)
would demonstrate that we do not col
slider these ridiculous charges worth
of notice"
The House, however, did not warm u
to the suggestion of nonaction, and n
Levy was evidently out of tune with Il
rank and file, who were determine
upon an inquiry.
Congressman Cooper called attentio
TO the fact that the resolution did NJ
provide for open hearings of the invest
eating committee.
This is the country's business, an
there ought not to be a loophole fc
secret meetings of this investigatin
was remedied in the resolution for tn
Ballinger-Pinchot inquiry, and I war
an amendment of this character adop
ed now
Congressman Henry said the invest
eating committe would have no desir
to sit behind closed doors, but this
there would be no objection to a
hearings and that the resolution coul
be changed before final adoption.
Text of Resolution.
The Rules Committee resolution for
blanket investigation of the lobby as
National Capitol, reads as follows:
Whereas there have appeared in
recent issues of various newspapers
published in the United States divers
statements and charges as to the
existence and activity OF lobby or
ganized by and on behalf of an or
ganization known as the National
Association of Manufacturers for the
purpose of improperly influencing
legislation by Congress, the official
conduct of certain of Its members
and employees, the appointment and
selection of committees of the House
and for other purposes designed to
affect the integrity of the proceed
tngs of the House of Representa-
ttves and its members; Therefore
be II
Resolved, That the Speaker ap-
point q select committee of seven
members of the House and that such
committee be instructed to inquire
into and report upon all the matters
SO alleged concerning said Repre-
sentatives, and more especially
whether during this or any previous
Congress the lobbyists of the said
National Association of Manufac-
turers, or the said association
through any officer. agent, or MEM
Der thereof, did in fact reach or in
duence, whether for business, po-
litical, or sympathetic reasons or
otherwise, the said Representatives
or any one of them or any officer or
employe of this or any former House
Of Representatives in or about the
discharge of their official duties, and
IL SO. when, by whom, and In what
manner
Said committee shall also inquire
whether money has been used or i'm
proper influence exerted By said Ma
tionaf Association of Manufacturers
or any agent thereof to accomplish
the defeat for nomination or election
Of any candidate for the House of
Representatives of Congress, and said
committee shall likewise inquire
whether members of Congress have
been employed by said association
5 for the accomplishment of any i'm
proper purpose whatever.
Said committee Is also directed to
inquire whether improper Influence
has been exerted by said association
or by any other association, corpor-
alton, or person to secure the ap-
pointment or selection of the COM
mittees Of the House, or any OF
them.
Said committee shall also inquire
whether the said National Associ-
alton of Manufacturers or any other
organization or corporation or asso-
ciation or person does now maintain
or has heretofore maintained lob
IOT the puEpoc6 OI
legislation by Congress, and ascer-
tain and report to what extent and
In what manner, IL at all, legisla-
tion has been improperly effected or
prevented by reason Of the existence
Of such lobby, II II be found to ex-
tst at all now or heretofore.
Said committee, or any subcommit-
tee thereof. may sit in the city of
Washington or elsewhere to conduct
its investigations during the ses-
sions OF the House or recess of Con-
gress. 1t shall have power to en-
ploy such legal or clerical assistance
as may be deemed necessary, to
send for persons and papers and ad-
mirister oaths, and shah have the
night 10 report at any time.
The Speaker shall have authority
to sign and the clerk attest SUBJ
poenas during the recess of Con-
gress. The expenses of said inquiry
shall be paid out of the contingent
fund of the House upon vouchers
approved by the chairman of said
committee, to be Immediately avail
able.
Senators Reed and Walsh spent yes
terday in an examination of the docu-
Mulhall, who made the sensational
charges in the New York World and
Tribune involving the names of
many legislators of this and prior Con-
crosses. An examination Of the docu-
ments was continued today.
That legislation is destined to follow
the two lobby investigations is now as
serted at the Capitol. Indications are
that from now on the way of the
lobbyist will be a hard one and he will
not 1nd the Captol atmosphere in
Ponder On Problem.
H. lzAL
all the way from the sugar lobby TO
Mulhall and The Wolf of Wall Street, "
many Senators and Congressmen have
been pondering on what to do about II
The revelations in themselves are ex-
pected to have a great effect in Clarity
Ing the atmosphere about Congress.
But there will have to be something
more IL good results are to be perma-
nent- In other words, legislation will
be imperative.
Members Of the Senate lobby commit
tee are pondering deeply on their re-
port They are considering such plans
as enforced registration of lobbyists,
which have been proposed in several
bills.
One fact which stands out conspicu-
Gus is that the great weapon Of the
modern lobby, such lobbies as those OF
sugar. for instance. is publicity. The
control Of channels of publicity was
Wha' use suskaI Ioppy WIS seeking,
and 1t accomplished It's end to a SUI
ficient extent as to enable Il to get
Us arguments adroitly before the pub
lie.
1t developed that certain associations
DR. concerns dealing in boiler plate"
we're paid to send out plate matter
Tree to great numbers OF newspapers
and that this matter was run by many
papers without any brand to show that
e was sugar lobby argument instead
)f genuine news. This however, is
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