New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-07
Michigan Senator Insists That
President Has Exercised
Greater Influence on
Tariff Legislation. ,
ACCUSES HIM OF COERCION
Committee Decides to Recall
Witnesses to Ask Whether Ex-
ecutive Has Used Improper
Means to Force Support
of Tariff Bill.
From The Tribune Bureau.1

From The Tribune Bureau.l
Washington, June 6.-ln their search
for a lobby the five members of the
subcommittee that is making the in
vestigation for the Senate were meta
phorically led to the doors of the White
House to-day by Senator Townsend.
The Senator from Michigan asserted,
with all due respect" that the Presi-
dent, by Withholding patronage and
stirring up public opinion by his state
ment Of the existence Of a lobby, had
exerted a greater effect on prospective
tariff legislation than all of the alleged
lobbyists who have been in Washing
ton.
Democratic members Of the sub
committee demanded names and facts
from Senator Townsend 10 support his
statement. These, he said. he could
not give.
As a result Of Mr.. Townsend's state
ment, characterized by Senator Walsh
as serious" the committee decided 10
recall Senators and ask them whether
or not they had been coerced by the
President by threats of Withholding
patronage into supporting the tariff bill.
The nearest approach 10 undue in
fuence" said Senator Townsend, and
| say this with all due respect, has been
the influence of the President and the
influence of the party secret caucus.
| There are men who will not vote
against the tariff bill for fear of an
| tagonizng the administration. Be-
cause OF the insinuation that ar in
| sdious lobby exists / believe that cer-
tain Senators who would approve
| amendments TO the proposed legislation
| will refrain from voting for them for
fear they might lay themselves open to
the charge that they have been inau-
enced by the alleged lobby"
| COERCION by the President.
You mean." asked Senator Nelson,
that there has been kind Of coercion
| on lllt part VI Nitr lSS4NtAN'
II do" said Senator Townsend. In
my experience in Congress the EXecu-
tive has encroached upon the legisla-
tive branch and exercised greater in
fuence than that which proceeds from
any other source. II seems TO be a
popular idea nowadays"
Tell US how you know" interjected
Senator Walsh. coming to the defence
of the President
Il don't care TO do that" rejoined
Senator Townsend. You know as well
as l do"
DO you know any human being who
can say as a matter Of fact that Pres
ident Wilson has either withheld or
given appointments to affect the vote
of any man in Congress-" demanded
Senator Reed.
NO: l do not. l know only what I
have heard rumored and seen in pa
pers." said Senator Townsend.
Efforts were made by Senator Walsh
and Senator Reed 10 pin down the
Michigan Senator 10 a specific charge.
but he refused 10 go into detail. and
admitted that he based his statement
on differences he drew from what was
going on about him in the Senate. He
insisted. however. that the tariff policy
was the creature OF the President"
and that the President. by raising the
cry of Lobby" had brought undue in
fluence TO bear on legislators through
the medium Of popular opinion.
Senator Nelson suggested that Mr..
Townsend might have reference to the
Presidents visits TO the Capitol, but
Senator Townsend found no objection
10 this practice The President ought
TO come to the Capitol" he said. and
talk with Senator'S and with the Sem
ate"
Defines a Lobbyist.
In substantiation Of his statement re-
garding the Presidents part in in
fuencing legislation Senator Townsend