The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-04
WILL 'A0lD INVESTIGATION.
LOBBY CHARGES PREFERRED
IN PRESIDENT WILSON To
BE CAUSE.
senate Instructs Its Judiciary Com
mittee to- Ascertain if Lobby I'm
Washington IL Endeayoring To In
nuence Tariff observation-disclosures
tions Asks for Information.

adopted a resolution instructing the
judiciary committee To investigate the
charge that a lobby Is maintained I'm
Washington or elsewhere to influence
pending legislation with particular
emphasis upon It's efforts for or against
the Underwood tariff bill. The reso-
luton was in direct response to the
public statement made by President
Wilson that an insldious lobby wa,
operating against the tariff bill.
President Wilson In his talk with
the newspaper correspondent today
declared he was in sympathy with
the proposed investigation and would
be glad to furnish the names OF the
lobbyists to whom ne referred il
public necessity required"
Under the resolution which was
adopted as introduced by Senator
Cummins. with amendments by Sena-
tor Kern, the judiciary committee is
directed to report its findings within
ten days. No provision was made
for open hearings.
The resolution directs the commit
tee to report the names and meth.
DDS of lobbyists and the bills they
are seeking to change"
The names OF senator's to whom
representations by such persons or
any persons" were made and under
what circumstances. all persons to
testify under ohth.
Whether any senator Is financially
or professionally interested I'm the pro-
ductlon, manufacture or sale of any
article mentioned I'm the tariff bill.
The interest any senator has in
legislation pending or has had In any
legislation before the senate during
his term of service.
The president Is respectfully invited
to aid the committee In its investi-
cation by giving to IL any information
In his possession relative to the in
vestigation which he considers prop
err To make public"
There was little difference of opin-
Ion over the need for an investigation.
sharp colloquy arose, however,
when Senator Kern proposed an
amendment to that part OF the reso-
luton dealing with the testimony OF
senators and information to be OBJ
tained from the president. The Cum
mins resolution provided that the
committee take the statement, un-
der oath. Of all senator's" who should
nave received representations during
the present session regarding pending
legislation. Mr.. Kern's amendment
authorized the committee TO "ascer-
tain the character OF representations
made to influence legislation by any
persons and the names OF senators
To whom they were made"
Senator Cummins proposed to ask
the president to furnish the names
Of the lobbyists to whom ne refer
red I'm the public statement issued by
him" and "any other Information
about them or their efforts to bring
about changes In the resolution now
before the senate which will pro-
mote the general welfare.
Under the Kern resolution ne Is in
vited to furnish any information. with
reference TO the subject matter OF the
investigation which ne considers il
proper To make public"
Republicans led by Senator Root
ana Senator Cummins declared the
Kern amendments "emasculated" the
resolution and left IL practically
valueless while Democrats under the
leadership OF Senators Kern and Reed
held that the change made only lit
tie difference I'm the end to be ac-
eomplished. The Kern amendment
was adopted on a strictly party vote,
81 To rs and the resolution by "a
viva voce vote without any apparent
dissent
Senator Swanson said ne perceived
ah effort to put the president in
rals' light by making IL appear ne
mad said senators had been improper
~ approached. while Senator Town
send declared the publication of the
presidents statement was for the pur-
pose OF influencing certain senator's
who were thought to he wavering in
theh support OF tho Underwood bill.
Senator Penrose told the senate he
could not understand the shrinking
ot the Democrats from appearing be-
'"re the committee with information
about the persons with whom they
hau talked. He added that he had
learned To recognize instantly both
the lobbyists and the business man