The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-21
LoBByING An INpErENsIBLE ROLE.

Senator ,Kenyons movos against the profos-
sional lobbylst Is the official reaction Of public
opinion against n calling or profession or avo-
cation that In indcfcnsible from every sand
point.
Lobbying is the easy and convenient name
which has been given the efforts of those seek
ing something or less than Justice from
the hands OF government. 1t ~ true that oc-
cnslonally. but very rarely 1t has been neccs-
sary for some Interest to lobby in order to pre-
vent injustice, but that was only because some
other lobbyis, about to secure something
more than justice for himself.
In general way It bc said with great
truth that when any gentleman body OF
gentlemen appears before a Legislature or gov
ernmcnt agency for the purpose of urging
something in special way. that gentlemen or
body of gentlemen is seeking either more or less
than proper execution OF the functions OF gov
ernment permits.
II this were not true there would never have
been a lobbyist in the first instance. 1t was the
sheer success, OF the early lobbyists In securing
special favors that hbs resulted In the class be
coming numerous, the practice general. All OF
which IL n symptom OF ovcr-organizaton In
everything II would be startling assertion
for one to say that most Of the business and
social organizations of the nation are. in the last
analysis, a menace to the cause of good and just
government. Yet II Ia true.
Because such organizations seek not the gen
cral good. under the law. but special cpnsidrra-
tion for tho particular class that IN organized
avowcdly for selfish self interest. and that seeks
TO win favor because Of the very fact that 1t ls
organized. Tho duress exerted by the railway
brotherhoods In securing the enactment Of the
Adamson law shocked the nation and aroused a
wave OF resentment everywhere. yet Il was
but the fun blown flower OF Il plant that has
been growing and blooming in "a smaller way
for years what the railway brothcrhoods Sc
cured 10y an open threat in plain public view
has been secured by lobbyists OF various COM
mercai ana industrial organizations time and
time again during the past few decades
No man, content with the just admnlstra-
uon OF the laws finds It necessary to seek spc-
cia favors from government In any form. No
governing body should grant such favors under
any circumstances. If there pends before u
legislative body some matter OF general con-
Germ. 1t Is the custom for open hearings 10 be
held by the committee having such matter in
its charge. 1t IL altogether right that all par
ties in interest be given an opportunity to cx-
press themselves according TO their Interests
But the matter should end there, and II It
did end there. no room could be found for the
lobbyist. The lobbyist, however whether he
be the legislative agent for a labor union or the
legislative agent for n trust, a banking clique,
or a merchants association or "A mauurac tur-
ing combine. seeks to serve his master hy ways
that are devious and deeds that are dark And
the result all too often is that the great mass Of
citizenship is forced TO contribute directly or
indrecly to the material welfare Of the particu-
lar organization that has secured more or less
than It OF sound right deserves
We don't know how the matter Is to lac ade-
Quatcly remedied by law. Senator Kenyon has
our sincere sympathy In the stand he has taken.
We hopo he will have the wisdom to devise
some means of Stamping out the lobbyist and
his menacinG practice.