The Washington times., 1913-06-07
wilson WILLING
TO TAKE STAND
President May Ask to Make
Statement in Inquiry
Into Lobbying.

= e."
CONTINUED from First Page.)
country his version of the tariff stu.
ation and the general legislative stu.
alton.
Public Approves Of Stand.
1t was stated at the White House
Today that the President was getting
large numbers of letters from all
over the country approving his at
Whether, on the heels of the state
ment of Senator Townsend, backed by
Senator Weeks, that the patronage
club Is being used TO influence votes
on tariff in Congress. Senators are
going to be recalled TO the stand and
SAiked Il they have been subjected to
improper White House influence Is
Senator Walsh. Democrat, last night
moved the resolution which was
adopted that any Senator might re-
call any witness TO the stand and
ask about patronage influence. Ac-
cording to Senator Reed, acting chair
man, this puts it up to the Repu5-
lican members of the committee. sen,
s.tors Nelson and Cummins, to recall
any Senators they want to: Senator
Reed takes the position that the bur
den of proof of Senator Townsend
intimat;ons is placed on the minority
senators.
srd Cummins point out that Senator
Walsh put through the resolution re
garding the recalling of witnesses and
that IL is up to him to recall them II
he % desires. 49,,
not intend to recall any Senator to the
staZi.
81 know nothing about any improper
use of patronage" said Senator Cum
Minis.
Townsend, when sifted, are too vague
10 be taken as evidence.
They would not be entertained for
a moment in any court of law, SAID
ne. referring to the fact that they were
heersay in their nature
The Missouri Senator disclaimed any
belief that the President had used pa
tronage to influence men in Congress.
He said Senator Townsend had made
Eo statement of fact.
Pinned down by Senator Walsh and
mysslf' he sai9. tie senator aa-
m!tted that he had formed his i'm
pressicns from newspaper and gem
erai belief. It's rather serious
charge to make from hearsay.
The Senator declared that the com
nittee at present had no intention OF
inviting the President to testify be-
"That is going beyond the purview of
our resolution" he said. I'VE are seek
ing 10 find out the existence OF lobby.
as charged by the President, and be-
heve we have done it.
Active All Over Country.
"a powerful and numerous lobby ex-
lists in Washington and is active all
over the country. BY numerous do
rot mean a multitude of people, but a
g-eat many who represent mighty in
terests opposed to the passage or this
teTtn measure.
IF any Republican believes that DEM
ocTats are being forced to vote against
heir 'consciences' through the exertion
of party power they are at liberty TO
call those Democrats before the COM
rsittee through their committee minor
ity. If they do not, then they cannot
complain.
The work OF subpoenaing witnesses
who are alleged to have been lobbying
went on today. One new name was
given out as having been subpoelaed;
y was that OF Art E. Bowen, OF Paris,
Tsx. He is the chairman of the Ma
tional Farmers Union committee who
Trote the Use Strong Language" let
ter with reference to the greater con-
sumption OF cotton. Te wanted every
Sody interested to use strong IAN
mage to members of Congress. Angus
Erly, O Washington newspaper man,
siso was subpoenaed
The committee will ask Mr. Bowen
Ehether he thought this undue infiu-
cace.
One OF the possibilities of the situa-
Ion is that q movement will be begun
f1r q House investigation of lobbying
Importers lobbics are said to have ex-
erted influence on the tariff bill. II is
icing suggested that IL would be well
> inquire into how far they shaped
ne Underwood rates.
The investigation will be resumed
iIonday. The Senate, On motion Of
Senator Reed, IN the absence of Sena-
Or Overman, granted an extension of
ssenty days time to the committee
Ihis carries II. to June IS. 1t may run
even longer.
Senator Townsend made his charge
ate yesterday.
Senator Townsend said:
As the term lobbyist is generally
Understood, and believe II was used
~ the Presiednt in his recent state
;Ient, upon which this investigation was
lounded, II means one who tries 70 Sc
Sure or prevent legislation by the use
u means that are improper; by the
oner OF payment Of money, the granting
= Withholding Of favors. by insidi0us
threats of political opposition. by the
ise Of patronage, or the giving OF DO
.,ueai rewards l know OF no improper
obbyist OF that kind
While you are wisely inquiring OF
5enators whether they have been an
Proached by the sugar, WOOL cotton,
ND other interests. YOU should also in
iure OF them as to just what execu-
ive influence is being exerted upon
.em- II Is possible tnat you might OBJ
In some interesting information IL
.snators will express themselves be-
re You, as 1t is rrmored they do in
ayivate"
DO you mean to say the President
as been lobbying?" asked Senator
Reed
Definition of Lobbyist.
"A lobbyist is a man who attempts
. influence legislation against the
honest conviction. the conscience and
he notions of duty Of the legislator"
returned Senator Townsend. Because
II the insinuation that a lobby Exists
20 Influence them to vote Tor amend
Inents they believe in, l think some
5enators will refrain from SO voting.
This. ] believe. is coercion
You believe there is a species of lob
Dying from the executive as well as
from the outsider" asked Senator Cum
rnins.
Yes; have no doubt Of It," answered
Senator Townsend. II do not blame
this executive any more than any other
Il seems to be rather popular now
adays.
There are two sides to this question.
The fact that a man is for protection
est, or because he is for free trade
that he Is honest.
Democratic leaders have been report
ed as saying: This is to be matter
the President must decide, and in Or
der to be a good Democrat, and re-