Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-27
Scored
 By President
EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS TO
 ALTER TARIFF BILL.
CREATING SENTIMENT
Accused by Wilson of Trying to Make
 It Appear That Public Opinion is Opposed to Chief Items of the Bill.

Washington, May 26.-President Wilson stirred congressional circles today with an emphatic statement de- nouncing the industrious" and in sidious" lobby in Washington attempt ing to create public sentiment against certain features of the Underwood tariff bill. This was accepted at the capital as referring to the unusual ef- forts being made against free raw wool and free sugar.
 Lobbyists Making No Headway. While the president was declaring it his opinion that the public should be relieved from the intolerable bur den,' senators and representatives were viewing on every hand the evil dences of the lobbyists which beset them; and significance was attached to a statement made by Senator Sim mons, chairman of the finance com mittee which now has the tariff bill in hand, that, in his opinion. the lob byists were not making any headway.
 Bills to Regulate Lobbying.
 The presidents declaration that\the lobbyists were so\ thick that one couldn't throw a-brick without hit ting one" revived interest in two bills recently introduced in the house and senate to regulate lobbying on pend ing legislation. Senator Kenyon of Iowa and Representative C.. B. Smith of New York have declared it their intention to press for early consider alton bills they have introduced which would restrict the work of lobbyists, require their registration and that they be licensed to appear before any committee or to carry on a campaign for or against proposed legislation. Heavy penalties would be imposed for violation of the regulations.
 Lobbyists Blamed for Rumors.
 Democratic leaders were almost unanimous in support of the presi- dents statement maintaining that thev are well able to handle the important pending tariff legislation and that su- gar and wool will be thoroughly con- sidered and discussed by the finance committee and democratic caucus be- fore the bill is reported to the sen ate. Many conflicting run1ors being sent broadcast regarding proposed changes in these schedules are at tributed by the finance committee members to lobbyists. That no change of policy relating to either schedule has vet been determined. is fatIy de- clared by the members of the com- mittee.
 The Presidents Statement.
 The presidents statement was as follows:
 think that the public ought to know the extraordinary exertfons be- ing made by the lobby in Washington IO ScLl1l LSCOSHltIOn TOT CeFE91n alter ations Of the tariff bill. Washington has seldom seen so numerous, so in dustrious or so insidious a lobby. The newspapers are being filled with paid advertis en1ents calculated to nnislead the judgment of public men not only, but also the public opinion of the country itself. There is every evidence that money without limit is being spent to sustain this lobby, and to create an appearance of a pressure of public opinion antagonistic to some of the chief items of the tariff bill. Only Public Opinion Can Check or
 Destroy 1t.
 It Is of serious interest to the coun- try that the people at large should have no lobby and be vOiceless in these matters, while great bodies of astute men seek to create ane artificial opin- ion and to overcome the interests of the public for their private profit. It is thoroughly worth the while of the people of this country to take knowl- edge of this matter Only public opinion can check and destroy it.
 The government in all it's branches ought to be relieved from this intol- erabIe burden and this constant inter ruption to the calm progress of de- bate. I know that in this I am speak ing for the members of the two houses who would rejoice as much as I would to be released from this unbearable situation.