The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-14
that !NSlD|0US LOBBY.
SENATE INESVTIGATING COM
MITTEE SECURES a GLIMPSE
OF SYSTEMS WORK.
Half a Dozen Senator'S Still to be
Placed OH Witness Stand and Men,
bers of Committee arc Convinced
That Lobby Exists and That Patient
Search will Reveal 1t.

from the examination of colleagues
who might have been influenced in
mattersOf legislation, the senate lobby
investigating committee late today
began to inquire into the Washing
ton pursuits of those who might have
exercised the influence. With only
half dozen senators yet to take the
witness stand the majority of the
committee is convinced that it has
seen flash of the underground work
ings of lobby and believes that only
patient search is needed to reveal
the trail that will lead to the quarry.
The minority members apparently are
not so certain that any "insidious
lobby" will be discovered The few
senators who have not been heard are
out of the city and will testify before
the hearings are concluded.
One former senator and four former
representatives today admitted more
or less interest in legislation at the
capitol, but none would say that he
considered his cause unjust or that he
had done anything improper.
Their work had been done in the
open, they said, and consisted
mostly in the filing of briefs before
committees of congress, making oral
arguments in behalf of clients and
arranging for hearings for their en-
plOyers. Senator Reid, the principal
inquisitor, apparently expected to
show that many men spend most Of
their time in Washington, with moth.
ing to do but convince congress it is
wrong about particular legislation.
Former Senator Chas. A. Faulkner
of West Virginia, the first witness
from the outside, told the committee
he represented % of the big railroads
of the country and had represented
them here for many years. Faulkner
said he knew of no lobby that has
ever been brought here in reference
to railroad matters for the purpose
of influencing members of congress.
MY business has been to find bills
that affect railroads, send them to my
clients and give my opinion of them"
he said. IF the railroads find some-
thing they regard as prejudicial or
if they need amendment, they notify
me to arrange a hearing before the
committee in charge"
Senator Cunmins said Faulkner
had appeared four or five times be-
fore him and that questions at issue
had been argued as they would be
in a court.
The other former congressional wit
nesses were: ]. A. 7. Hull of Iowa;
A. w. Kopp OF Wisconsin; Chas S.
Bennett of New York, and Chas B.
Lands of Indiana.
Mr.. Hull said he had been out Of
congress for two years and had been
in Washington most of the time since.
He had represented an association of
corn products manufacturers in con-
nection with the pending tariff bill,
presenting his case by filing briefs
with the house ways and means COM
mttee, and sending letters to sena-
tors.
He had talked with Senator Cum
minis because the latter was familiar
with the duties in which he was in
terested. Mr.. Hull said he had been
interested also in legislation for the
Veterinarians Association of the Unit
ed States which wished to obtain
commissioned ranking for it's MEM
bers in the army; for a Mr.. Baker of
Philadelphia who was interested in the
duty on cocoanuts, and for represen-
tatives of the government of Ecuador,
who wished government engineers to
investigate sanitary conditions there
He also figured in legislation affect
ing the telephone company in the
District of Columbia.
Il suppose you would accept en-
plOyment from any institution or con-
Germ that wanted you to appear before
congress so long as you regarded the
matter as public and straightforward"
asked Senator Reed.
Il would" answered Mr.. Hull
THAT may be said to be your pres
cnt occupation and employment.
Il would hardly like to say that"
was the reply.
Mr.. Kopp declared he had spent
probably three weeks in Washington
shortly after his retirement from con.
greSs in March. Although he had
once declined, he said at the earnest
solicitation of people in his home dis
trict, he had come back to Washing