The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-02
President Wilson Proves
Adept at Keeping
Congress Astir.
REACHED
WITH LOBBY PROBE
He Has Frecipitated Inquiry Like
of Which Never Has Been
Known in Legislative Annals
of Country-Other Congress
sional Problems Likely to
Go Into Eclipse.

Washington June 1-Tariff and cur
rency reform will go into eclipse to- y
morrow. when the Senate begins Its
hunt for the numerous and insidious
lobby" which President Wilson has
said Is at work in Washington threat
ening the Underwood bill.
Some attention also will be diverted
TO the Senate investigation of the West
virginia coal strike. which also will
take form this week. Work on tarif
and currency will go on, however. with
subcommittee grinding on the sched-
ules. The leaders hope to present their
work to a caucus soon and get the bill
into the Senate not later than June
23.
May Send Special N1esaaEc.
President Wilson's correspondence
with Senator Tillman, which developed
that the President thought currency re-
form imperative at the extra session
tn prevent opportunity for any arti-
fetal firnrcial disturbances after the
tariff bill becomes law. probably will
be followed soon with a special mes-
sage to Congress conveying Mr.. VIII
sons Ideas on the general subject
The lobby investigation Will begin
o-morrow morning at 1880 o'clock in
the big judiciary hearing room In the
Senate Office Building. Senator Over
mans investigating committee plans
to hear four members an hour.
Each member of the Senate will be
called on to tell what he knows about
n tariff lobby and go record as to
fessional associations that may relate
10 any Item In the tariff bill. All are
expected to respond willingly to the
quiz, but many of them are wondering
Just what to say about the scores OF
business and professional men who
have been to see them about tariff
matters since the bill passed the House.
Meanwhile. President Wilson is
worltinG on his currency message, and
House and Senate leaders are prepar-
ing bills on currency reform to be
taken up after the tariff bill Is passed,
provided 1t Is decided 10 prolong the
extra session. Even should Congress
decide to adjourn when the tariff bill
is enacted. the banking committees
would be directed to continue work on
currency to be submitted Immediately
after the opening of Congress in regu-
lar session next winter
The West Virginia investiga ton, au-
thorized to be conducted by the Euuca-
tion and Labor Committee of the Sem
ate, will be initiated tomorrow by a
subcommittee composed of Senator'S
Swanson. Shields. MARITIME, Borah and
Kenyon.
Plan to Restrict Legislation.
Democratic leaders OF the House are
the legislation at this session To
tarift, currency and any appropriations
that may be deemed Imperative. All
the House committees will be named,
and they may consider pending mat
ters with a view to action at the next
regular session OF Congress In Decem-
ber.
The caucus tomorrow Is primarily
for the purpose of passing upon the
entire committee organization of the
House
Some of the new members. anxious
about patronage at the Capitol, arc
talking about plan to get their
share. All of the ESQ Capitol appoint
ments were made when the Democrats
took control of the SiXty-se second Con-
gress.
Not week passes that President
Wilson does not start something to
shake up the precedents and keep Con-
gress astir. His denunciation OF the
tarin lobby in the week just passed
marked the climax in series OF un- {
usual executive acts, and has precipi-
tated an Inquiry the like OF which
never has been known in legislative
annals OF the nation.
When the President told the Ways
and Means Committee that he wanted
free raw wool and ultimate free sugar
in the tariff bill. the committee wrote
the bill that way. When he declared
that he wished to deliver his tarifr
message in person to Congress, the
House and Senate met in joint session
to hear him. Later his decision to
go to the Presidents room in the Cap
itol to talk business with Senator'S
and congressman was carried out
without hindrnnce or friction.
TiShtens Party Lines.
vigorous announcement few
weeks ago in the midst Of rumors OF
party weakening on tarirf measures
that he would accept no compromise
on wool and sugar served to tighten
the administrative lines. and now his
declaration that the country should
be rid of the burden of an insldioua
tariff lobby. has aroused the Senate
10 investigate.
Congress are busy now planning re-
organization for the coming cam
paigns. The Democratic congression-
al committee expects to reorganize
to morrow night Representative John
son. OF Kentucky. is being strongly
backed for the Craftsmanship. iiva-
OF treasurer, now held by Representa-
tives OF the congressional COMMITTEES s.
tional Committee plans for joint CAM
paign efforts.
The Republican congressional COM
mittee will meet soon to organize and
Republican leaders already are con-
r,-- e.. rv<rs 10