The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-06-12
MISSOURI D0NkEr
DEALERS HELPING
SUGAR INTERESTS

Washington, June 10.-More light waG
thrown upon the activities OF thes aga
lobby at the hearing today by h Sem
ate committee Investigating the exist
ence of an organized lobby seeking to
the pending tariff bill. Senator Reed,
Of Missouri, a member of the commit
tee, declared that the sugar interests
even had enlisted the assistance of
mule dealers in an effort to prevent
placing sugar IN the free list. The CON-
m1ttee will wind up it's examination of
senator's today and tomorrow will be-,
gin examining witnesses suspected OF
being employed by interest that would
be affected by a reduction of the tariff.
1t was admitted that the inyestiga-
ton already had outgrown its original
bounds. 1t originally was intended to
develop evidence concerning the infiu-
ences President Wilson charged We're
being brought against the tariff bill,
but the testimony of senators has
broadened the scope of the inquiry to
touch many subjects. Under the ex-
tension of time granted by the Senate,
Chairman Overman's committee ex-
pected to develop all he new phases.
Sutherland on Stand.
Senator Sutherland. the first wit
ness. told the committee he owned 200
ciic SS Ia tllS oSolL-1lpAlo 1h5aA SO'
pany, worth $7.S5 a share, and SO
shares in the ~Amalgamated Sugar
company worth 500 a share. He had
no interest in wool, but declared he had
voted for a reasonable duty on
and wool. Any other course on his
part, he said, would be nothing more
thar "hypocritical a~ffectation."
I'm a long service in the Senate and
House." he added, II haye never Known
any member of either body to be i'm
properly influenced on any legislation
nor have I known of any attempt on
the part of any n to exert improper
influence
President Wilson told callers today
he expected the lobby investigation to
have beneficial results through the
publicity given to the conditions sur
rounding the making of the tariff bill.
made by Senator Townsend as to ms
own influence with reference to legis-
lation. the president replied it needed
no comment.
Mules and Sugar.
Senator Reed said he had no personal
| connections affected by the tariff and
had talked reduction to all his brother
senator's whenever possible. He DID
not know any lobbyist, at least IN a
way to associate names and faces; had
| not been subject to any attempts at
| Influence and knew nothing of my use
| of money improperly, but was certain,
! however, that a new system of at
| tempting to influence legislation had
| risen in this country. He Illustrated
by telling the committee about tele-
| grams from horse and mule dealers IN
st. Louis, saying:
"tPlease vote for a duty on g II
is very necessary to preserve the mule
industry of Missouri
ut 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 others, / believe there is a system
growing up by which attempts are
made to reach representatives or SEN
ators by indirect methods. 1t pegihs
through business connections and mn
allv they find someone in he district
of E. representative and through him
make an appeal to local citizens ana
have them send letters or kilograms
appealing in behalf of the people OF
the state. AS a matter OF tact, II IS
an appeal from the people, but a selfish
appeal. | don't hin this hearing
| should BE confined to tariff legislation.
I think a strong effort is being made
here to affect the passage of the tarlH
bill or effect a modification of 1t. How
strong it is, l don't know"
Senators Influenced, He Says.
How many senators of the 70 you
have heard testify here, do you think
have peer improperly influenced
asked Senate Nelson.
None"
been immune from the serious infec-
ton of the lobby?"
Il think that for many years tbs
majority in congress may nave peer
influenced by argument put forth by
selfish interests and that many sena-
-. 40 ~ Iy E h. ya
That was when the lobby f1ourished IL
Washington like a green a tree
The country doesn't need any pro-
fessional lobbyists" he said. Il do be
liieve in free speech. | believe in tho
right of a Iitigant in court to com
himself and send his attorney ant
make his showing and then go homt
ind not stay and try to get private
conferences with members of the court
1t is a very unpleasant thing wher
congress is in session that interest!
send representatives to the capita.
bpen headquarters, employ clerks an
rasten themselves here like barnacles
Lobbying is the business of changing
votes. The men who come here al
want to get something by virtue O
law or maintain some advantag'
they have got"
Mr.. Bankhead's View.
Senator Bankhead said he has
berVed 26 years III congress, nad near
IF Hobbies, but never saw one. He dit
not agree to running headquarters her
10 influence legislation was to be con
Iemned.
Senator Walsh said he had mall in
~terests in coal, copper and zinc mines
,attle farms and citrus fruit lands /
Florida. Montana, he said, was vital
" interested in the tariff on an
wool.
"We expected a great reduction" h
taid, "a very substantial n on woo
Ind sugar hut we did confidently eX
beet them to carry a revenue duty"