The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-07-04
IN WASHINGTON: SHIPS, DIN
NERS, LIQUOR AND LASKER
Social Lobby's Methods Perfected,
Used More Cleverly Than
Ever Before

Stephen Poole in The Dearborn In
dependent.
Maybe you have wondered Why a
man you despised at home became a
Big Gun at Washington. You Won
dered, because you thought brains
and principle and worth ruled there.
They don't. TIE game is not played
that way. 1t Used to be, but now
now.
This story tells part Of the tate
only a small part. There are reti-
cenees which every good citizen wish
es to observe. But it is useful to
know why, for example, the ships OF
the United States Shipping Board
have not been critised in the public
press, by newspapermen who knew
the facts, for their violation Of Am
eriean liquor laws. The explanation
is the dinners given to newspapermen
by Albert D. Lasker.
Maybe you have wondered why
Lasker could get the White House IT.
self to boost shipping board affairs
into prominence not granted any
other issue-not even those issues
important to the welfare of the SEQ
pie. The answer is, Lasker's dinners,
This is only a small part OF tAe
story. Some day, if public policy re-
ouires, t',ere will be an explosion OF
truth in Washington when all Vhe
pow-suppressed facts swill be hlazoned
before an indignant people ana
thorough cleanup inaugurated.
The social lobby in Washington IS
not a. new institution, but it has per-
fected its methods, and is being useo
more cleverly than ever before. II
IS one of the most potent influences
IN the life of the national capital. Inc
ends sought are not always visible 10
the casual observer. The methods
enployed are often extremely subtle,
and even those persons whose high OF
fetal and personal standing is being
traded on are usually unconscious OF
the purposes which the schemers are
seeking to accomplish.
Whether it is a tax bill before
congressional committee, big clam
before an executive department Tor
adjudication, publicity for a govern
mental subsidy, regulatory measures
affecting special interests or federal
apuointment that is sought to be IN
Anenced, the social lobby is sure to
play a big role.
Senator Kenyon of Iowa, VINO was
recently elevated to the federal
bench, and who had a great deal to
do with turning the light on lobby
operations at Washington during his
service in the senate, gave 1t as MS
n,atured opinion that the social lobby
* one of the most active and pernl-
cious of all. 1t is in full blase at the
present time.
Washington's "Information" Men
Tt was Senator Kenyon who frst
brought to light the remarkable case
of a former newspaper correspondent
in Washington, who, by skillfully IN
sratiating himself via the social lobby
route, reached the point where ne
was drawing $4,000 per annum as
the aggregate of retainers paid to
him by various interests having irons
in the legislative fire at the national
capitol. This young man was one Of
the first to see the possibilities OF the
Social lobby. Having a wide ac-
huaintance with public men through
his former newspaper connections, he!
hook an apartment in the most ex-
bensive downtown hotel in Washing
bon. He and his wife entertained
5avishly. Members of congress and
other high governmental officials were
among his guests. He soon developed
an almost uncanny faculty of getting
what he wanted. He was able to ad
wise his clients, who happened to be
Interested in food lines, well in ad-
vance of the actual appointment, and
before it was known outside the
White House, that Herbert Hoover
would be named American food ad
ministrator. He was persona grata
IN high government circles and vas
usually able to tip his principles to
any impending action at Washington
which it was to their advantage on
before the news gained circulation