The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-03-23
The Power of Lobbyists

er Tor four years. He says that the
country would BE- better served u
members OF congress would only vote
the way the talk in the cloak rooms
instead Of under tic pressure OF ag-
gressive minoriiies as represented by
organized lobbyists. lie dcplores the
fact that the political fortunes OF the
members OF congress are dependent
more and more upon the favorable
reports OF gentlemen who as legislat-
i've representative sit in the galleries
and. as the favored ones in the old
Roman days dccrecd life or death to
the struggling gladiator in the arena
By gesture OF thumbs mp or thumbs
down. determine the political life OF
members OF congress
In the old days most lobbyists were
supposed TO be representatives Of self
ish and dangerous interest. Volumes
OF fact and fiction have been written
about wire-pulling and intrigue. All
this has changed. II is doubtful II
there IS much real lobbying Of the
bold. bad kind. Instead It has become
an accepted custom for all OF the in
dustrial and financial interests to keep
their representative on the job in the
national capital. The Wall Street
banking interests are not nearly as
energetic as the railroad labor unions
The great manufacturing and indus
trial interests such as the Standard
Oil. the steel trust and similar institu-
tons, have nowhere near the repre-
seniation that is maintained by farm
ers. As a matter OF fact il has become
the custom for all OF the large groups
OF the people, as well as the business
interests. TO maintain their representa-
tives in Washington for the purpose
Of making their wants known to the
lawmakers. Thus Washington has
become the clearing house OF iniorma-
ton and the clinic and hospital for
the national ills and maladie..
Mr.. Mondelrs complaint is based on
the fact that some of the individual
representatives active in Washington
constitute a minority" that is so men
as to prevent congressman from
as the talk in the cloak rooms.
The admission OF the former Repub-
lican leader is interesting but it does
not seem to contain much that is new.
1t is simply accumulative evidence that
follow the line OF least re-
They are not lonesome
lmong the great mass of humanity
'ollowing this practice.
Our Water Power
The Governor of the State OF New
York has asked the legislature for an
preparation OF $4,000 in order to de- F.,
the right Of the state to control ,
power rights that are now 4,
laimed as within the province OF the -,
,deral government. The cry OF =
rights" is quite common in :
lie Empire States, as only a year or !,
vo ago the state government was :,
some of the privileges OF :
ilroad rate regulation that is under :
administration of the Interstate =,
ommerce Commission. In the pres !,
II instance the Governor of New
ork is apparently ~resurrecting an old ],
.'ntrovcrsy with reference to water !;
'wer rights that was settled long =,
ago and determined finally when !,
{ Federal Power Act was created. =
Nevertheless there should be unani- =,
ous agreement with the New York
vernon in his announced desire to :
luce the cost OF living through the III
OF the great water pow -
OF New York State. He points =
t that through the uses OF electricity
is now possible to take power from
water wheels and transmit it over
rad areas by wire cables. So far
the general public is concerned it
not worry as to whether this is
by the federal or the state gov
iment, or as is more likely by pri-
e corporations-just so long as it
done. Already there has been a
deal OF progress in the nation
ectly traceable to water power and
transmission, and there seems to be
movement that is supplemented
this new force in our national life
I seeks to decentialize industry and
take people out OF the congested
as into the open spaces Of the coun-
Economic laws are working in
direction and the agitation in New
State will perhaps be helpful in =
the progress Of new meth
Of living and new sources Of pow =
cannot help but bring about
Don to humanity.
The Deep Waterways r.
York State is particularly anx-
.. ..-f. I..f-.. = ~ III