The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-03-16
BARRETT CHARGES
HIDDEN INFLUENCES
"Assistant Government"
Behind Washington Scenes
FARMERS HEAD
MAKES CHARGES

| ASSISTANT GOYcrnment' in Washing
ton, made up OF Representatives Of
Various Interests, II Great Power.
"A new and powerful assistant gov
crnment" in Washington, made up of
the representatives Of various inter-
csts, is charged in a statement issued
here tonight by Charles S. Barrett, Of
Union City. Ga, preident Of the Ma
tional Farmers Union and chairman
of the ational board Of farm organiza-
tions.
"rhe assistant government" Mr..
barrett says has one advantage over
the constitutional government. 1t is
more cffectually trained for it's work.
1t Is an association Of specialists. EN-
inent men and women who know all
the legislative, administrative and bu-
reaucratic avenues, streets and alleys
in Washington belong to this inter-
estng and patriotic collection of men
and women"
individuals named by Mr.. Barrett as
included among these are oJseph De-
Frees, Of Chicago, president of the
United states chamber Of commerce;
Alfred p. Thorn, general counsel Of
che Association Railway Executives;
}. ID. a. Morrow, vice president OF the
National Coal Association; George II.
Gushing, managing director of the
Wholesale Coal Dealers Association;
James a. Emaly, general counsel for
the National Association OF Manufac-
turers; Willis Compton, OF the Hard
wood Lumbermcn's Associations; John
RI. Kirby OF the Southern Pinc Men
and r. T. Strasbaugh, president Of
tho National Gamers Association,
Even the foreign governments are
not without their representatives, ac-
cording to Mr.. Barrett. He says:
"Of course 1t is improper for foreign
diplomats to attempt to influence
American legislative or executive ac-
tion, but way has been found to ac-
complish this. Legislative committees
nave been created under the names of
educational bureaus or such like.
These have no definite or tangible
connection with any accredited diplo-
mats, nevertheless the country which
the diplomat represents is the bene-
hciary Of their activities"
Mr.. Barrett says no one has yet talk
en- complete census of the men and
women associated with the assistant
government" but that "it is estimated
by persons who believe they have COR
rect information that for every man in
both branches OF congress there arc
at least two patriots in Washington
ready and eager to instruct him in his
duties"
IF a stateman is in doubt on a mat
ter" he continued, "all he has to do
is to consult with member of the
inner circle Of the assistant govern
ment and he can instantly be set
straight"
Mr.. Barrett asserts that Mr.. De-
Frees, who rccctly was elected presi-
dent Of the chamber of commerce OF
tho United States, "has been given a
| place among the notablcs who are i'm
| Washington to assist the government
in its effort to do it's duty"
Mr.. Thorn, according to Mr.. Bar
rett, knows more about the transpor-
tation problem insofar as it may bo
made a subject Of national legislation
than any man in the United States"
Mr. Thorn has for years benevolent
| ly instructed the interstate and for
| cign commerce committees Of both
houses OF congress on what ought to
be done to and for tho railroads." Mr.
| Barrett continues. ole has the re-
| speCt and confidence of many OF the
leaders and the approaches to the in
ner legislative circles have never been
closed to him. He has shown him
| self on many occasions to be able TO
divert that thought Of leaders from
other and important legislation to mat
| tcrs in which the Association of Rail
way Executives are especially inter
cStcd.
"Onc Of the most virile and helpful
organizations which is assisting the
government in its efforts to give the