The New York herald., 1921-01-23
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Jan. 24.

ton If you don't you will not be in the
swim. for nearly everybody. man, woman
and child who has an axe to grind is at
present represented at the national capital
in one way or another, each demanding and
insisting upon recognition from Congress.
Senator Thomas (Dem.) of Colorado has
no use for the army of lobbyists and propa-
gandists now crowding the Capitol and COM
mittee rooms of Congress. He recently esti-
mated there were forty-five separate lobbies
here. He believes there should be some SORE
OF national law to regulate their activities
and that the representatives of the people
should be permitted to carry on the work for
which they were sent to Washington without
being pestered by these special representa-
tives OF big and little interests.
Fostering by Lobbyists Leaves
No Time for Legislators to Work
Senator Kenyon of Iowa a few days ago
arose in the Senate Chamber and exclaimed
against the continual pestering by lobbyists
of all kinds which prevents Senators from
doing their work. Other Senators feel the
same way about it---no doubt all Of them do.
There is a similar feeling on the House
side. but there are more members of the
lower body than, of the upper. and 1t takes
longer for the lobbyists to get around to
each man. Consequently they are not pes
tered so often. except the leaders. 1t has
got so that the leaders of the House have
to hide away in private rooms in order to
get even part of their daily work done
properly.
After the Senate Lobby Committee com
pieted its inquiry several years ago into the
activities of propagandists in Washington
there was talk Of enacting a law which
would regulate the activities of the lobbyist
ana compel him to obtain license, which
would show on its face the particular char
acter Of work he was called upon to do. But
nothing ever came of the movement, and al
special interests were not SO persistent their
modesty soon wore off, until to-day they are
coming to Washington in swarms.
Not since the trainers OF the Underwood
Simmons tariff law began their activities
have there been so many interests at Wash
ington clamoring for help from our national
Legislators. The hotels are crowded with
representatives Of the various interests. and
the corridors of the Capitol and the COM
mittee rooms of Senators and Representa-
tives are jammed with propagandists. all
bent upon putting something over" either
before the close of the present session of
Congress or during the next meeting of that
body, which is to be called together shortly
after the Inauguration Of President-eiect
Harding.
Anti-Saloon League Lobby
Intrenchsd at Head of Line
First and foremost among the most pow
erful Hobbies intrenched at the national
capital are representatives of the Anti
Saloon League Of America, the Interna-
tional Reform Bureau which has launched
a crusade to make the United States a sin
less nation by law; the farmers organiza-
tions, bent upon the passage of an emer-
gency tariff to afford them relief from pres
yexxr for hoiv nj ha
combination of women's organizations.
Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel for
the Anti i-Saloon League, Is just as busy
around the corridors OF the Capitol as IL
the fight for nationwide prohibition had
just begun. He Is watching every move
ment in and out of Congress that might
have for its object the letting down of the
bars now erected to prevent the sale and
consumption of intoxicating liquors. He
boldly proclaims that he is going on with his
programme of legislation and intends to take
hand in the naming of prohibition en-
forcement officers. He has sent word to all
the Republican members of Congress that
the Anti-Saloon League intends to be very
active In this campaign.
Because law enforcement is not a poiti-
cal issue but a patriotic duty,H says Mr..
Wheeler, at is urged that those who are
efficient in the Federal Law Enforcement
Department be retained and those who are
inefficient be replaced by higher grade of
public servants"
The work In behalf Of the enforcement of
the volstead law being done by Prohibition
Commissioner John r. Kramer and his force
has the heartiest approval of Mr.. Wheeler
and the organization he represents, and 1t is
said the Anti-Saloon League will request
the Republican Administration to retain Mr..
Kramer In his present position after
March 4.
Farmers NstionaI Council
Rank Among the Most Persistent
One Of the most persistent Hobbies at work
in washington at the present time Is that
OF the organized women, who are bending
their energies in behalf of the enactment
Of the Sheppard Towner Maternity bill. The
work of the women in behalf Of this meas
ure is being conducted open and above
board, much to the embarrassment OF
large number of Senators and Representa-
tives.
Then there is the National League OF
Women Voters. whose members are crowd
ing tho Capitol corridors and committee
rooms Here is their declaration OF princi-
pies:
The joint Congressional committee is
pledged to no legislative programme itself.
but merely provides an opportunity for or
ganixations which have indorsed certain
bill to unite their strength by forming a
subcommittee, such as the Sheppard Town
or Committee. interested in the Sheppard
Towner bill for maternity ana infancy care,
which will work only for it's specific meas
ure"