Pueblo chieftain., 1921-06-16

been corrupted by the use of money.
For great many years the congress
of the United States has been. or
should have been, immune to this sug-
gestion or thought on account OF the
size of its membership.
CONGRESS IN THE MOVIES
Despite this being obviously ridicul-
GUS, Washington was recently half en-
tertained. half disgusted. by a motion
picture advertised as showing up the
inside of official life in Washington.
In this of course, brand new con-
gresham is the hero. standing stall
wart and virtuous in opposition to the
corruption. Unaided except by his sill
yer tongue and sterling character. this
youth forces thru congress the meas
ure which throws the ranks of the
predatory interests into awful con-
fusion, and completely defeats their
careful plans. Such scenes as repre-
sentatives of these same interests en-
tertaining great droves OF senators
and representatives at dinners are
shown. and each member of congress.
always executing the hero. is not sur
prised to find thousa nd dollar bond
under his plate. which he pockets with
out surprise or comment, and devotes
his energies to gulping down a few
quarts of contraband liquor, provided
by the host
Is not and never has been was laughed
off the screen here in short order. 1t
is fully realized that there are speoi-
mems here and there of dishonest con-
sressmen. just as there are dishonest
lawyers. brick layers, or doctors
HOW MODERN LOBBIES WORK
But the lobby OF today is not trying
any such antiquated method as that
depicted in the movie. These orsani-
cations go openly '.,d frankly tC the
members of congress whose interests
should coincide with theirs. They en-
deavor and generally succeed in con-
vincinS these men that the legislation
their constituents desire is the same
program for which this lobby is work
Ing. They convince members of con-
with others whose minds run along
with theirs. and publishing the fact
to the world, can congressional IeadeA
be brought to serious consideration of
the legislative programs to which
these blocks are committed.
However. with the idea that there
may be some OF tho old fashioned lob
byfng going on. or that senators and
representatives might be exposed to
corrupt influences. two measures have
already been introduced in the Senate
during the present session. One was
sponsored by Senator Overman. of
North Carolina. and is intended to
make 1t crime for any person. agent.
counsel. firm. company, corpora ton
or association to attempt dire.:ly or
otherwise to influence legislation by
any corrupt or improper method" The
bill provides also that all lesis.ative
agents, or lobbyists, shall be recorded
by the proper officials of congress
Senator Kenyon. Of Iowa. has intro
duced a somewhat similar bill. the
main requirement Being the listing Of
all lobbyists or legislative agent. and
would extend this to the executive de-
partments as well. The Kenyon meas
ure would make mandatory filing with
congress by these agents complete
| itemixed list Of expenses paid or in
CURED In the course of each seasion
Any one formerly a member Of the
senate or house would he dcparred
from making a livelihood in this man.
ner under the Kenyon measure.
Under the presen: system Of .obby-
Ing, II In doubtful n congress vii. get
itself sufficiently Interested In either
OF these measures TO pass them curing
the present extra session.