The Washington herald., 1913-06-07
WILSONLOBBYIST,
SAYS TOWNSEND
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

manding and begging that he be more
specific The Michigan Senator went on
TO explain his reasons for making so
sweeping an insinuation.
"I am convinced" he said, that some
Senators will vote for the tariff bill
through fear of antagonizing what is
known as the influence of the administra-
tion."
Senator Nelson. Republican, jumped
into the opening thus offered.
do you cali that lobbying? he asked
IT have given my definition Of lobby
ing" returned Townsend. "A lobbyist Is
one who attempts to influence the votes
of legislators against their better judg-
ment.''
..In other words you think lobbying
can come from the executive as well as
the legislative branch?" summed up Mel
son, with Townsend's acquiescence.
Senator Walsh tried to get some de-
tails from the witness, but failed ut
terly. Townsend replying that he had
hoped the committee would find out these
things. ..f
81 simply made the statement that
think there are Senators who do not be-
lieve this bill, as It came from the
House and as 1t will be reported to the
Senate, is such a bill as 1t ought to be.
The statement has been made by Demo-
Gratis that they wouldn't put sugar on
the free list, but that as 1t is an admin
istration measure, they would feel
obliged to vote for 1t unless they are
able to change 1t in caucus.
Can you give US any further Idea OF
the basis for your charge beyond the
belief that some Senators will vote for
the bill even though they are not in per-
feet accord with some Of its features?
asked Senator Nelson.
mo, / cannot"
ct had supposed" continued Walsh,
"that in view of the seriousness of the
charge, which involves both the Execu-
tive and Senators, you had some special
information as to pressure being brought
to bear on members Of the Senate by the
Executive"
Read II in Newspapers.
'I am taking the general proposition
that this Is to be a case where the Presi-
dent is to decide. and to be a good Dem
ocrat and possibly to get the right
amount of patronage Senators must vote
for the bill 1 know nothing Of 1t per-
sonally or except what I see in the news
papers,"
DO you know Of a single person Of
good repute upon this earth who will
come and say that either TO him or of
his own knowledge President Wilson has
ever offered an appointment for prom
ise to vote for the bill or withheld an
appointment, pending the giving Of such
a promise?' asked Senator Reed.
mo, SIR
Your statement then Is a mere vague
generality. based upon rumor and news
paper reports?" asked Reed.
Townsend answered in the Affirmative.
Ea a charge
them
NO, do not make this as a charge"
Can you name any Senator who has
said to you or to any one else to your
knowledge that because Of this investi-
CATION he is going to vote for the tariff
bill and that otherwise he would not vote
for it?"
No. I cannot"
Senator Oliver of Pennsylvania and
principal witnesses of interest yesterday.
Senator Thomas told of the enormous
strength and widespread activities OF the
sugar producers in their fight against
free sugar, and offered statements OF
conditions which contradicted Senator
Smoot's assertions or Thursday that
much of the free sugar literature con-
tanned deliberate misrepresentation.
He told the committee that he had
traced down the slgnerS OF some or the
kilograms and letters urging a duty on
sugar, and had been told in some In
stances that the sugar people had vir-
tualIy forced the signatures by holding
debts over the heads or wnoIe tamlnes |
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts was
on during the afternoon session. He
testified that the Home Market Club. of
Boston, was an organization with a |
OF more than LOU: that II
is not made up entirely OF manutac-
turers, but that its principal object is to
cultivate a sentiment in favor OF a hign
protective tariff. To this end II issues
a monthly publication. entitled frotec-
tion, besides special circulars when tarirr
legislation is pending. Its secretary.
Thomas o. Martin, who is under SUBJ
ponea, Senator Weeks testified, spends
most OF his time in Washington ana
has an office here.