The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-06
It's Sugar Interests, According
to Senator Thompson.
Scores of Documents, Letters,
kilograms and Clippings.
WRITER'S TELL OF COERCION
Say They We're Forced to Sign
Names by Official Duress.
Rich Senator Objects to Telling
What Interests Are.

Washington, June 6.-Further evil
! dence of organized efforts of anti
| free sugar forces to bring pressure to
| bear upon western Democratic sena-
tors and congressman to align them
against President Wilson's free sugar
plan, were given the senate "lobby
committee today by Senator Thomas
of Colorado, member of the finance
committee.
He produced hundreds of kilograms
and scores of documents, letters, pam
phlets and newspaper clippings which
he believed showed an organized at
tempt to manufacture public senti-
ment in Colorado which would affect
the action of it's senators and repre-
SentatiVeS.
He gave the names of many Colo
RADIO men from whom scores of SINH
lar kilograms and letters had come,
and said he had been informed by
some of the signers that they were
practically forced to attach their
names because of official obligations
to persons directing the movement.
The investigating committee showed a
disposition to go to the bottom of
some newspaper articles that Senator
Thomas furnished and learn what the
forces were at work circulating news
on the sugar fight. Senator Thomas
said he knew the beet sugar interests
long had maintained headquarters at
Washington. The campaign for Colo
radO, ne OoC1areQ, was eV1QenCly III
rected and financed by interests that
would be affected by the tariff Dill,
but had been conducted in an anony-
nous manner, he did not know the
real forces behind it.
Senator Thomas said the only re-
mark to him that might be considered
Improper came from Henry T. OK
nard, who represented beet sugar in
terests opposed to free sugar, when
he told Oxnard he probably would
vote with his part in the support of the
Underwood bill, and Oxnard replied, if
the free sugar provision were retained,
congress would "be here until the
snow flies before the bill could be
effort to influence his action on sugar,
wool and lead, Senator Thomas said,
through a great number of letters and
kilograms from Colorado and the
Rocky mountain states.
This correspondence has been so
general so almost universal in many
states" he said, that 1 am satisfied
it is the result of organized efforts in
spired and the expense paid for by in
terests directly concerned on the rates
of the tariff BILL
Although "a senators were yet to
be heard when the senate lobby inves-
tigation got under way today Acting
Chairman Reed was of the opinion
that the Investigators would be able
to turn the light upon some of the So
called lobbyists subpoenaed before ad-
the lobby already strong, Senator Reed
was convinced that the committee is
on the right trail at last and that from
some of the scores of men who have
been summoned it will be able to ex-
tract information confirming President
Wilson'S lobby statement.
Senator Reed announced he would |
ask the senate for an indefinite eX-
tension of time for the holding of the !
hearings. Objection by Senator Jones
fI1o Hi6 eT-o ion
of similar request, but the Missouri |
senator expected to obtain approval
today,
In additional to the steel stock, SEN |
ator Oliver said he had an investment |
of s1,50O,O0O in two Pittsburg news |
papers and 400 preferred shares
and about $500 common shares in the |
Pittsburg Coal company, whose pro-
duct might be affected by the tariff. |
Il never sought to influence any |
senator in regard to the tariff on any |
articles in which 1 am concerned" he |
said. Nor has any one sought to in |
fluence me improperly
Persons who had called on him in |
cluded: W. L. Claus W. S. Trassburg |
er, A. F. Gaffney, John Pitcairn, Ed |
ward E. Marshall, Arthur B. Davis, |
John H. Penny, Colin Livingstone and |
w. L. Kann.
of preferred stock in the United States
Steel corporation told the committee he
did not influence the tariff in any way
to affect it's value. Il have always held
that insofar as the iron and steel sche- |
dule of the tariff is concerned the Uni
ted States Steel corporation is very
much less subject to menace than
would small manufacturers to a change
in rates." he said.
Senator Oliver declined to give his in
vestments in copper or in other lines
that he said were not effected by the
tariff or other legislation before the
committee.
IT am perfectly willing to give the
public an inventory of everything L
own" he said, but 1 do not think the
purpose of this investigation is to Sc
cure an inventory of every senator's
property
Senator Walsh insisted it was perth
nent to ask how much Oliver had invest
ed in copper properties.
Il cannot concede your right to ask
that" returned Senator Oliver.
You're dead right interjected Sena-
tor Nelson. a Republican member of
the committee.
Senator Reed agreed with Senator
Walsh. and Senator Cummins with Sem
ator Nelson. Chairman Overman was
absent and it was tie.