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


The investigating committee last night
decided t. extend its inquiry into a
sweeping Investigation of all organized
efforts that have been made 10 influence
action upon legislation Of any kind now
pending before Congress OF under con-
sider,tion in the recent past. senator
Overmau asked yesterday permission
from the Senate 10 extend the time Tor
making the report ten days. but senator
Jones. vino Was conducting u n!lbuster.
refused 10 agree to 4 request Tor
unanimous consent
senator Reed, a member ct the com
mIttep. has sent Word To the PreSi0tnt
that H. believes the testimony Of Sen
ator E$uSiell and other Witnesses iuliE
established che truth " the PreSident
recent statement that a powerful lobby
existed in washington.
Questions rs t. The interest the Nor
moa Church holds ia sugar and WOODEN
factories IA Gtth brought about lively
clash between Senator Swoot ami demo-
Cratje members OF the committee late
yesterday. Senator Smoot said tine r7urSh
held a Snall amount Of stock in the tab
Idaho Sugar COMPANY and in the Knight
Wooden Mills Company, at Provo, but he
resented questions by Senators Reed and
WALSH that ht thought carried msinua-
tons that he represented the interests of
the Mormon Church 1T Washington.
Represents All People.
Here ia Washington | represent al
the people Of Utah he said sharply; Il
don't represent Mormon or low or gen
tile. black ~ white, Methodist or Presby-
terrain.
Senator Reed said ne had not meant
to inSinliate that Senator SmOot was the
representative Of the Mormon Church.
Don't YOU in a way represent the
churc : stock within the meaning of this
Investigation. asked Senator Walsh.
II do not. rctorted Senator Smoot, mo
more than YOU do
Senators Smoot. Mark Smith. Shafroth
and Williams testified during the after
noon session. They produced new bundles
OF literature sent out by various orSani-
cations and Individuals The investigat-
ing committee finally decided that Ii
would have 10 pass on this literature and
determine whether or not il was mis-
leading" or would have '.pernicious ef-
feet
Members of the committee agreed that
even though the raising of money for
publicity campaigns might be legitimate.
the issuing of false statements or mis-
lead n public documents would be an
"insdious attempt" TO influence the pub
lie and members OF Congress.
Detectives Have Been Used.
That detectives have in some cases
been used 10 shadow members of Con-
gress. in the interest of securing certain
legislative action. is a point that Sem
ator Cummins will endeavor to establish
He asked Senator Smoot whether the
latter knew of any such activity. Senator
Smoot said he had heard of it" but
could give the committee no Informal
tion. Senator Cummins declined to state
what further witnesses would be pro-
duced. or to indicate the nature Of the
detective work that has been done
Senator Williams. whose subcommittee
mas had charge of the income tax feature
or the tariff bill, expressed the belief
there had been an organized effort by the
insurance companies to rally policyhol-
ders against the income tax Insurance
officials probably will be asked to appear
later.
Chairman OvermaR left last night for
. three-day visit In North Carolina.