The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-07
FIGHT ON SUGAR TARIFF.
CAUSE OF LOBBYING CHARGE
BROUGHT BEFORE INVESTI-
eating COMMITTEE.
Differences Between Free and Anti
Free Sugar Men Brought out in
Two Hour Session by Committee
Senator Ranstiell Talks Freely.

N'S" outoiuC tIlc IdllS VI congress
gave the senate lobby investigating
committee busy two hours late this
AFTERNOON, With Senator RanSdell Of
Louisiana, as the chief witness, mem
"ers of the investigating committee
pried into every phase of the fight
between the free sugar and anti-free
sugar forces; and established the fact
that general offices are maintained by
both factions and that a systematic
and organized fight has been carried
on for and against the free sugar pro-
vision In three years indorsed by Pres
ident Wilson.
The activity Of the sugar forces
was partially responsible for Presi.
dent Wilson's statement that powerful
lobbying influences are at work in
washington to effect changes in the
tarin bill. Several names were added
today to the list of persons who are
being subpOenaed by the senate COM
mittee and who will testify Saturday
as To whether or not they are "lobby-
ists These include employees of a
bureau maintained here by the Louis
iana sugar growers, and various per-
sons who have been connected with
the anti-free sugar fight.
Senator Ransdell discussed freely
the organized activity of the Louis
lana sugar cane growers, but he be-
lieved little money had been spent, rs
compared with the amount spent by
Claus Spreckies, the Federal Sugar
Refining company, and Frank c.. Low.
ry, said to be an employe Of that
company, in the attempt to create o
public sentiment in favor Of free
sugar.
Il urged the Louisiana people to
organize two years ago and combat
this false sentiment that was being
created in favor of free sugar." he
said, but they did not act in time"
Some light was thrown on the ac-
tiVity OF Hawaiian and Puerto Rican
growers, who also oppose free sugar,
by the senator. He denied there had
been any concerted action among the
three forces, and said the Louisiana
growers had limited their efforts to
distributing literature and presenting
arguments to show that free sugar
meant de'truction to their business
and no benefit to the consumer.
Senator Ransdell named Henry n
OXnard, Truman G.. Palmer, Sidney Nj.
Ballou and A. ID. Baldwin as leading
hgures in the anti-free sugar fight and
said II. n. Pharr, j. ID. Hill, Jules
Burguires, Charles Godchaux. Jules
Godchaux and E. F. Dickson were
sugar planters who had taken turns"
In carrying on the campaign from the
Washington headquarters.
The investigating committee prob
ably will finish taking the testimony
or senators tomorrow and then will
begin hearing outsiders whose names
nave been mentioned during the in
quiry or that the committee had been
given to understand should know
some of the facts.
Many subpoenas have been issued
and tonight the names of ]. L.
khoades, +. II. Hathaway and Fred
L. tishback of Washington were
added to the list All OF those men,
toned today by Senator Ransdell
probably will be called
President Wilson had not sent any
communications to the committee up
to tonight, or indicated what further
statements he wished to make. He
already had given Chairman Oyerman
the names OF several men who might
know something about congressional
Lobbying"
Late tonight the committee issued
subpoenas for Former CONGRESSMAN
William $. Bennett Of New York, Otto
Carmichael Of New York, formerly n
washington correspondent: the Rev.
u. III. Molone of Denver, who is now
In washington; G. Harold Howell
francis E. Hamilton, Harrison Os-
borne, w. l.. Bass A. a. Irving, Will
liam o. Marvin and William +. Fitz-
gerald
This is list Of names furnished TO
the committee apart from names
brought out in testimony by witnesses.
Chairman Overman did not reveal tbc
source of the list or the purpose for
which the persons attendance is
sought
AT the night session of the commit
tee. Senator Thornton of Louisiana
testified that ne regarded as unfair
l.. Il