The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-06-06
SOCIAL LOBBYING"
JUSTIFIEs CHARGES
So SAYS Kenyon of Iowa in Course OF
Senate's Inquiry-HOW Interests
: Exert Influences.

Washington, June 2.-"Social lob
bying" in Washington iustifes every
word President, Wilson uttered in re-
gard to the presence of an "insidious'
lobby at the capitol. Senator Kenyon
of Iowa declared on the witness stand
today before the senate investigating
committee. It was the first un-
eouivocal statement in support of the
presidents attitude since the inquiry
began.
The Iowa senator explained that he
believed the most "insjdious" and
powerful lobbying possible was the
practice of fattering senator's by haV-
ing them out to dinners, to theatres
and on automobile rides, ingratlatlng
the host with the distinguished guests.
Pointing to the sworn testimony OF
Edward Hines, ga lumber king" be-
fore the Lorimer election investiga-
ton that he entertained senators at a
local hotel at dinners at time when
the lumber schedule in the Payne
Aldrick bill was before the senate,
rSenator Kenyon declared it was MS
belief that senators we're being en-
tertained in this 'insidious' way at
present.
He also denounced ex-senators for
capitalizing their privilege OF the
floor by using it to lobby. Referring
to one ex-senator representing many
railroads in Washington and often
seen on the floor of the senate, he ad-
vocated the enactment of legislation
ito prohibit an ex-senator from being
"a lobbyist.
Senator Hughes of New Jersey and
Senator James of Kentucky told the
investigators for the first time OF the
trials and tribulations of majority
members Of the finance committee
with the many persons who had flock
ed to Washington to present their
views. Neither knew of any attempts
to corrupt senators, but both de-
clared they could have done better
work if they had been bothered less.
These senators, as did Senator La
Toilette, who followed them on the
stand, suggested that legislation for
registration of lobbyists would be
good thing.
Cane Growers Taffy.
Several senators let it be known
today that they had received by reg
istered mail what purported to be a
reproduction of letter from the
American Cane Growers association
of the United States sent to members
asking for contributions to fund for
| the use of "a large committee in
Washington The copy was dated
New Orleans, April 2, 1913" and
read as follows:
"Dear sirs: Your association has
large committee in Washington now
using every effort possible to try to
save the sugar industry.
eve have hesitated about calling
on you but as we are now overdraWn
in the bank, it is absolutely neces-
sary that we have funds at once and
therefore call on you to please send.
one-half Of your subscription, say 3
cents per 1000 pounds on the crop
of 1911.
"This is very important and we
would like to have remittances at
once.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) Charles A. Farwell,
president.
The. CODY came in an envelope post
marked Washington on the back of
which in ink was written the name,
W. L. Bass.
| Ransdell Knows It.
Senator Ransdell, who received one
of the letters, said the American Cane
Growers association had been in ex-
istence for ten years or more; that
it maintained an Office in New Or
lean s and conducted an open cam
paign in behalf of the sugar pro-
ducers of Louisiana. He added that
for several weeks the organization
had kept an office in a Washington
skyscraper with its name over the.
door.
The letter did not appear in the
lobby investigation, but it probably
r7;I1