The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1913-06-05
CORRUPT METHODS
ARE NOT UNEARTHED
investigators Fail to Find "ln-
sidious Lobby
QUIZ STRIKES COLD TRAIL
Scores OF Senators Testify That No
One Has Tried to influence Them
Improperly In Legislative
Matters.
QUIZ STRIKES COLD TRAIL

Washington, June AFTER examin-
ing upwards of score OF senators on
the second day Of the inquiry into the
presidents charge that numerous"
and insidious lobby was influencing
congress Improperly to defeat free
sugar and free wool, the committee
appears to be convinced that the task
was hopeless and that the charge Of
the president could not be substan-
tiated.
OF all the senators thus far before
the committee during the two days
only two have expressed any belief
that a lobby exists. These are Sena-
tor Hughes, New Jersey, and Ollie
James OF Kentucky. Both these sen.
ators, under cross-examination. said
that whether or not there was a lobby
depends upon the definition of what is
| a lobby. -.''t
Corrupt Methods Unknown.
And all the senators who have ap
| peared, including both senators
named, were positive in their state.
ments that they knew of no corrupt
methods being practiced. and said
they knew nothing of the use of money
to influence senators or maintain a
lobby in Washington or elsewhere
The president, 1t is understood, has
given the committee the names of a
number of persons who have been rep
resented to him as lobbyists. A large
number of letters have been received
by the committee suggesting men who
might know of the lobby of one exists.
Chairman Overman stated that after
senators have been examined outsid-
ers would be sent for.
1T is our purpose to investigate the
whole subject as. thoroughly as posi-;
ble," said. Senator Overman, al
though" he added, with a smile, we
have not dug up. much vet"
Senators, Resent. Quiz.
Throughout the hearing it was ap-
parent that the resentment Of senators
against this prying into their own
business affairs is becoming deeper
and deeper -.I.s g.. ! ., ..3
As Senator Reed was pressing Sen
ator Lippitt, one of the. cotton mill
owners of New England, Senator Mel
son called a sharp halt, declaring that
he thought the committee was not
only exceeding its authority, but dis
playing very bad taste. Senator Reed
then ceased this line of questioning.
Senators Hughes and James were
willing witnesses. but, pressed by SEN
ator, Cummins, for names of men who
might be censured for acting mprop-
erly, neither OF these senators could
supply one. In response to direct
question if he knew to whom the presi-
dent referred, Mr.. Hughes replied that
he did not and had not discussed the
matter, with the president.
What men came to you, senator,
who would fit the description of the
PRESIDENT" asked Senator Cummins.
Hughes Was Appealed To.
Mr.. Hughes said he, had not read the
presidents statement, but said he did
not think the president thought any
body was using corrupt means to in
nuence legislation.
Asked specifically II anyone had ap-
preached him Improperly, Mr. Hughes
said they had not, but they made an
appeal would not have made under
the. circumstances"
Did they present anything but ar
guments?" asked Senator Nelson.
Yes, one left an attractive piece of
soap, another a Philadelphia razor,
and somebody incautiously left a sam
pie hat that fitted me-" replied Mr.
| Hughes.
| Senator James told the committee
no one had sought to improperly infiu-
ence him and neither did he know any
thing of the use of money, either to in
fuence congress or to maintain a
lobby.
Zinc Men Visit Fall.
Senator Fall of New Mexico gave
the committee distinct surprise when
he asserted that he had been visited
by persons representing the zinc trust.
He stated that this concern had &C.
quired mine In Mexico and that Il
was only waiting for the removal OF
the duty on zinc to bring It's product
of that mine across the border to com.
pete with domestic products. The
trist is now buying other mines in
Mexico and shutting down its plants
In the United States, according to the
senator.
Senator Penrose OF Pennsylvania, a
member OF the United states senate
for 16 years. declared that lobbyists
are thing OF the past, so far as Wash.
ington is concerned.
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