Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-05-29
PROBE IS PROPOSED OF
LOBBY At THE CAPITAL
CumminS Has Resolution For
Naming of Committee

Washington, D. c., May 28.-Presi-
dent Wilson's charge that an "insid-
ious lobby" is at work in Washington
in behalf of the desired changes III
the tariff bill wa brought to the for
NAL notice of the senate yesterday
through a resolution by Senator Cum
minis demanding an immediate investt~
CATION by a committee of five senators
to determine the identity of all persons
who had made efforts to present argu-
ments or bring influence to bear in ia
yor of changes in the tariff law. A
similar resolution was introduced iii
the house by Representative Tayenner,
of Illinois.
Senator Cummins attempted to get
immediate action on his resolution.
Senator Gallinger at first objected to
the resolution as absurd. Later he
withdrew his objection but on the dc
mand of Senator owens the Cummins
resolution finally went over for one day
without action.
The proposed investigation would re-
quire all senators to give names of per-
sons who had approached or written
them in interests of tariff changes
would request President Wilson 70
furnish names of persons referred 10
in his statement yesterday that a great
and powerful lobby was at work ami
would authorize the senatorial COM
mittee to determine whether the action
of any lobbyist who might be discoy-
cred was proper or improper,
1T is absurd to demand that the
names be given of men who have talk
ed with senators about the tariff bill, ;
declared Senator Gallinger. Men are
here who have a right to be here, be-
cause they represent the great inter-
ests of the country that are imperiled
by proposed changes in the tariff. TO
call them lobbyists is absurd"
Senator Cummins declared he hao
presented the demand for an invest
CATION because the members of the SEN
ate had been put in a very "unenyiable
position"
81 recognize the right of any inter
est affected by pending legislation to
appear and offer argument" he said
Il do not know that any lobbyists
are here None have approached me
But we have a tariff bill before us. 4
great many men are here, | suppose
for the purpose of putting legitimate
argument before the senate and is
committee affecting that legislation.
Now it is said by the highest All
thority that a lobby of great proper
tons. employing means of the most IN
sidious character, is engaged in tn
effort to secure changes to the BIZ
as now proposed The public has beer
led to believe and will believe that =
any changes are made they will hav
been due to their influence.
Il don't know what lobbyist is.
il is the man who appears to make lie
ultimate arguments, | am for him. b..
the country has a right to know wha
influences are surrounding the sena.
CT the United States, to know who
here and who is attempting by argu
ment, by influence or by persuasio
to change the tariff rates"
The fight over the lobby resolutiO
ended abruptly at the objection @
Senator owen. The presidents publ
statement had brought an earlier con
ment in the senate from Senate
Thornton, one of the democratic sens
tors from Louisiana, who opposes tn
presidents free sugar program. Com
menting on steps that Louisiana suga
interests had taken to secure certai
information which he presented to tn
senate, he said: