Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-17
Obstinate and Often Unwise,
Says Michigan Man, But
Not 0di0us.
WORK OF LABOR LOBBY
CAUSE OF TAFT VETO
Declares Samuel Gompers Admitted
Bill Now Before President Was
Glass Legislation.

senator William Alden Smith of Michi-
gan oeclared before the Senate lobby in
Festisating committee today that the
causes in the sundry civil bill. now
awaiting President Wilson's signature.
eNempting labor unions and farmers or
CARNATIONS from prosecution under the
sherman antitrust law, represented the
work Of lobby.
The American Federation OF Labor.
he declared, had lobbied for the exemp-
tions although Samuel Gompers, the SEN
ator said, had admitted to him that il
was class legislation. a term former
President Taft applied i'm vetoing the bill
last spring.
The very bill on the President desk
this morning. he said was put through
by lobby OF labor organizations; they
know there is class legislation i'm it,
Samuel Gompers admitted to me IL was
class legislation. and that's the kind OF
lobby ! think exists.
Doesn't Condemn Lobby.
"Of course, the American Federation
of Labor has lobby here. l don't con-
demn 1T. They have a right to he
mere: SO have the sugar people and the
Stcci peoptc ana tne OtnerS. L th1nk
there is a very considerable lobby
mere there always has been and always
will be. and | think it is appropriate
and has right to be here.
encountered the lobby-it doesn't do me
any harm. | encountered 1t i'm the
Titanic investigation and the Mexican
have a right to be here
Senator Smith added he knew John
Norris Of the newspaper people had
been here for free print paper.
He was for it and ! was against IT,
said the senator. Il own paper hut
I'm more of a protectionist than news
paper man." He added that the temper
ance people" had maintained lobby In
Washington.
Obstinate and Unwise.
You don't attach any odious ssnih-
canoe to the lobby. do you?" asked Sena-
tor Walsh.
II do not: 1t is obstinate and often un-
wise. but these people have right to be
here and be heard
Senator Smith said he approved OF the
use of influence by Presidents He said
that every President since Cleveland had
undertaken to influence legislation, and
added that if he had been in the White
House he would have done the same
thing.
Senator Smith said he was in favor OF
the annexation Of Cuba. and that il IL
were annexed he would be willing to let
Cuban sugar and other products come in
free. He had made this argument to
President Roosevelt when Cuban reciprOc-
ity was up in Congress.
Senator Smith and Senator Colt OF
Rhode Island were the first witnesses
today. Only two other senators-Cul-
berson OF Texas and Burleigh Of Maine
remained to be heard The testimony
day with the idea of finally disposing
of all senators.
Senator Colt said he had no interest
in any concern interested in the tariff
bill. No person, he said. had attempt
ed improperly to influence him and he
knew nothing of any lobby working
in Washington.
His Story Stirs Committee.
W. J. Strassburger OF Pittsburgh. Sec
retary and treasurer of the Allegheny
Plate Glass Company. Glassmere, Pa.
testified that twelve plate glass COM
panies had men here during the present
tariff discussion.
Strasburger aroused the committee by
declaring that figures purporting to
show the difference in cost of production
of plate glass here and abroad appearing
in the ways and means committees
tariff handbook were those presented in
ment statistics. such as were presented
on other schedules.
Didn't you spend half your time I'm the
marble room talking to senator's asked
Chairman Overman of the witness.
mo. sir.
''Didn you send down to North Caro-
lima and get one of my constituents and
then come with him. unlimited. to see
me in my apartment
Strassburger agreed that he had gone
to see Chairman Overman unlimited with
a North Carolinan. But l stayed there
about two hours and you thanked me for
coming he added.
No Evidence Against Senator.
A. Y. More, owner of the Fargo N. d.
Courier News. and A. NJ. Baker. general
manager of that paper told the investi-
eating committee yesterday afternoon
that they had had nothing to do with
the editorial in their paper which Senator
Gronna had considered "A reflection upon
him and which lead otheir being sub
poenaed. They said the editorial was writ
ten by James A. Metcalf of Mendive/
Mon temporarily employed while Baker
was away from Fargo. Both men said
they had no reason to doubt Senator
Gronna's integrity and honesty, and said
that a retraction might be printed. They
said they believed Metcalf might have
written the editorial merely in fiippant
way.
Aaron Cove OIL DenNeE. VINO mas re-
ceived a salary of 5000 a year from the
Great Western Sugar Company, told the
committee he had given up the last eight
years to a study Of the economic side OF
sugar and to convincing congressman OF
the soundness OF his views for duty on
that article. He said he had not talked
with many senators. Twice in eight years
he has appeared before committees In
Congress on the sugar question.
Senate Order Still Puzzle.
Harry A. Austin, employed by Tru-
man G. Palmer, the Washington repre-
sentative Of the United States beet in
dustry, was the last witness. The com.
mittee spent nearly two hours in an
attempt to find out just what happen
ed to Sugar At Glance" after the
senate ordered much Of the material
in 1t printed as q public document and
its actual appearance in pamphlet
form. They endeavored to find out
what he knew about an alleged order
OF the Senate regarding the printing
of the pamphlet. which does not ap-
pear in Senate records. but is printed
on the title page OF Sugar At q
Glance"
The best information Austin could
give was that this alleged order, which
has aroused the indignation OF the
must have appeared In
proofs received at Palmer's office from