Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-25

nothing towards determining the
grave economic and political aues-
tons that resulted from the World .
War. u may not truly be said the
members are not busy In any man |
ner. For they are compelled to devote
a great deal of time and attention 20 |
IN. numerous hungry interests that
are casting wistful eyes upon the
Federal treasury and earnestly desire |
90 become possessed OF liberal por-
tons of its contents
These interests are represented
by lsrse. skilled and active lobhies.
snd the lobbyists are seeing that no
Senator or Representative escapes
their opportunities. Unfortunately Il
is fact that many Congressman are
sivins t,rnvsnd attention 10 these Inn
Fortunate lobbyists. and. worse than
all else. are inclined strongly towards
granting their demands.
How different Is this situation from
that which prevailed up 10 a few years
neo. Under the Democratic Congress
that sat az Washington during most
o. the Wilson administrations. the
lobby was not In evidence at tho Ma
tional Capitol \ Democratic Con-
srcss kicked Il out root and branch.
and q was compelled 90 sullenly go
into retirement But at the assem-
bling. early In 1919. Of the Republican
Congress chosen az the previous No
vcmber elections. the lobby once moro
charged upon the Capitol. and soon
VA. IN fun swing swarunins through
Senate and House and locating its
srents IN all the departments. as
greedy ss ever, and with most tn
vitins aeld thrown open for its sell
fsh nanipulations.
The lobby has various interests 70
represent. And each interest &. after
o Donation Of moncy-of money con-
trssuted by taxpayers who are suffer
ing severely from their burdens-to
be emplayed IN It's proat And each
interes, bases i,s iTnpudent demand FOR
a donation OF public money upon a
plea that II win tend 20 benefit the
people.
First and most important Is the
agricultural interest. which insists
that Congress shall buy farm crops
thst cannot b. sold az profit on ac-
coun; of business depression through
on, the world. establish minimum
prices for farm products and do other
thinxs that Will enable farmers &c
proni through public aid. And there
are strong indications that the farm
lobby VIII be generally successful ir
is efforts.
Next IN Importance and importunit,
II the tariff lobby. which insist. upor
the imposition Of rates OF duty or
foreign imports that will enable ~
henenciaries 20 pront largely through
higher prices. II also finds muc,
encouragement at Washington.
Following the tariff lobby. and han'
m hand with II. Is the ship subsid!
lobby. Here we have situation a
paradoxical as Il is selfish. The shil
eubsscy agents want a large sum o
public money devoted 10 the supper
OF American ships 20 engage IN for
eiEn commerce. while the tariff lobb
would have such wall OF tariff taxa
ton thrown up against foreign trad
tha; ~ would be practically pro
hibited. But the subsidy would af
ford profit for the shipping interest,
regardless OF trade.
The soldiers bonus proposition ais
In supported by very active lobby. {
such size that II not only operate
in Washington. but AZ populatio
! centres throughout the country. Tn
powerful lobby has profoundly a
fscted members OF Congress. so ths
they seem determined TO pass Il
Bonus bill. But they are 50 alarms
~ the vigorous protest OF angers
taxpayers against the proposition IN;
they are likely 10 refrain from makir
definite provision 20 cover the cost
the bonus. even after passing the bi
which would. indeed. mean only
die; OF husks for those who hope
realize by generous donations
money from the treasury.
Other lobbiAs are housed at Was
inston, each intent upon furtheril