The Washington herald., 1914-01-31
LOBBYIST LISTING
PROVIDED NBILL
Registration Of Persons Seek
ing to Affect Legislation
Is Required.
EXPENSES MUST BE TOLD
Firms or individuals Employing Agents
Would Have to Account for
All Money Spent.
EXPENSES MUST BE Toll
By JOSEPH r. ANNIN.

With a view to protecting legitimate
lobbying from Misrepresentation. and TO
turn the spotlight of publicity upon all
activities intended to affect legislation.
Representative Stafford. OF Wisconsin. a
member Of the House Lobby Investi-
eating COMMITTEES. yesterday introduced
bill providing for a careful registra-
tion of all agents and representatives of
firms or individuals who seek TO affect
legislation.
The bill provides:
!. That the Clerk Of the House and the
Secretary of the Senate must provide a
docket of legislative agents
2. That. for the Information Of this
docket. employers of agents and repre-
sentatives seeking to influence legislation
must give under oath complete informa-
tion concerning their contracts. the leg
islation involved. the compensation. the
probable duration OF the connection, and
serve notice when such connection
terminates. The employe is required TO
give similar information under oath.
3. No such employment must be con-
tingent. In whole or in part, upon the
successful outcome Of the efforts OF the
employe.
Must State Expenses.
4 Within two months after the ad-
journment Of each session, any firm or
individual who has employed 1egisla-
tive agent must send to the Clerk Of the
House and the Secretary of the Senate
complete Information, including an item
lied account of expenditures, of the work
done by the agent. A similar report Is
required from the agent.
5. A member of Congress Is estopped
from serving as a legislative agent for
four years after the termination of his
nap1her NJ COnRrpss
6. Individuals violating the proposed
act shall be subject to a fine of not
less than 5000 nor more than $500. or
to imprisonment for not more than one
year, or both. Corporations may be
subject to a fine ranging from $4,000
to $1,000.
The bill very carefully confines its
application to every person who has
received. or who has been promised.
or who expects to receive. directly or
indirectly, any compensation from any
person, firm. corporation. or associa-
tion. to promote, advocate. oppose. or
seek to have amended, in any manner.
any matter pending or contemplated.
or that might properly come before
the Congress or either House thereof.
or before a committee thereof.
1t specifically exempts professional
services in drafting bills. preparing ar
guments thereon. or ADVISING ciehts
and rendering opinions as TO the con-
struction and the effect of proposed or
pending legislation, where such pro-
fessional services are not otherwise
connected with legislative action"
Takes Cosnirance of Evils.
This measure. the first to be pre-
pared as the result Of the exhaustive
probe made by the committee OF ~hich
O.. cog
nizsnce Of the worst evils disclosed by
the lobby investigation. at the same
time seeking to protect from unjust
aspersions and reflections legitimate
agents of industries with a natural In
terest in pending legislation. The bill
wa. referred to the judiciary Com
mittee.