The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-12
MEN CLAIM
TARIFF PROMISES,
STARTING WRANG[E
Bring President Wilson's Name
Into Lobby lnvestiga-
ton Again
MESSAGE
SHOWN TO HIM
Witness Declares Bronssard
Showed Him What Purpost-
ed to Be Wilson's Views
on Protection to Sugar


WASHINGTON. June 11.-Presi-
dent Wilson'S name was dragged into
the senate lobby investigation again
today. Three witnesses who w9e
summoned before the committee to
explain their activities In Washing
as regards the tariff bin insisted
that Mr.. Wilson was tne guiding in
huence behind the free sugar sche-
dule and that on account of the
presidents stand several senators
would vote against their W judy
ment
one OF the witnesses. Harry Irwin,
an attorney from Hawaii. made the
statement that he had received h
he regarded as word from Mr.. Wilson
before his election. through Repre-
sentative Broussard. of Louisiana,
that the duty would not be removed
from sugar.
Saw Underwood.
Irwin also declared that Oscar In
derwood, chairman Of the ways and
means committee, had assured him at
the Baltimore NATIONAL convention
that the tariff revision policy did
not contemplate q change in the SUI
gar duties. that would be destruc-
tive to the American industry"
The afternoon hearing produced a
succession OF clashes between mem
bers OF the committee n the wit
nesses. The later persisted In getting
into the record h arguments that
they have been unable to make in
public hearings before h senate I'm
ance committee and in this way were
ably aided by Senator Nelson. of Min
nesota, over the angry and at times
almost insulting objection Of Sena-
tors Reed and walsh. Senator Reed
was exasperateG by MI. Gotchauxs
determination II read a sixteen-page
explanation Aof inst why the Louisiana
cane growers AAd established head
quarters in Ngbshan and nnaliy
old him to Ego and hire a hail."
All the sugar Interest witnesses VINO
testified cheerfully admitted that fney
were lobbyists" and were discomfort
inSly frank in explaining all their
operations since they began their pro-
paganda.
Irwin, the first witness of the after
noon, told the committee he had been
sent to Washington by the board or
trade of Hilo, Hawaii, In an effort to
prevent passage OF the proposed free
sugar schedule. He had been sent.
he said, he had beef the dele
gate to the Democratic national con-
vention that had nominated President
Wilson.
Not In the Platform.
Irwin, In reply to a query by SEN
ator Nelson. said there was nothing
in the Democratic platform thai IN
timated free sugar Representative
Broussard, Of Louisiana. had assured
the witness when witness was In Bal
timore tina he was going to see Mr..
Wilson on the sugar question and a
day or two later he came back n
showed witness the draft of the tarsn
message which he said had been pre-
pared and scheduled by Mr.. Wilson
nj his home. He further told wit
ness he had been assured that the
Democratic tariff policy would not in
clude any sugar policy hat would
destroy or harm the industry.
Witness then went on to tell OF his
meeting with Representative Under
wood. OF Alabama, in Baltimore. He
said:
II was introduced by Mr.. Watson
as the delegate to the national con-
yention from Hawaii. I told Mr.. I'm
derwood that a free sugar principle
In the platform would be ruinous to
our island. Mr.. Underwood told me
he was not in favor of free sugar.
$50 when this matter of free sugar
came up at hcme the people said ]
had been playing a confidence game
on them he. concluded.
Reed asked tue WltHeSs
what he meant by his confidence
game talk.
They meant I had made them be
lieve in the fairness Of the Demo
cratic party" retorted h witness,
Jules Gotchaux said he and other
Louisiana sugar men were here to
defeat the sugar schedule and per-
suade senator's that free sugar is q
great mistake
1--WE are probably responsible for
these kilograms you got from the
Missouri mule dealers. senator" he
said, turning to Senator Reed.
Reed charged that the motive OF
the association in sending the tele-
grams had been selfish and that they
had relied on persuasion rather thar
arguments /.
sYou don't state It correctly"
answered Gotchaux sharply.
"Oh, he thinks he Is t~estifyfng.'
broke In Senator Nelson.
Reed whirled on him exclaiming,
CONTINUED on Second Page.)