The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1927-05-27
CLOSE-UPS IN The
NATIONS CAPITAL
(By Stephen James,

Other opinion to the contrary
Notwithstanding the interests OF
the farmers are quite as ably and
almost as numerously represent
ed in Washington as those of any
other industry or group.
There was a time when these
men, and their colleagues. so to
speak, would have been referred
to as lobbyists, but no more. To-
day they are washington repre-
sentatives" of such and such an
organization, or secretaries, or
general manager, n other synOny-
nous title. 1t ought, at the same
time, to be recorded that they are
as highly regarded as are attorn-
eys representing the interests of
a client before a court at law.
These mon, tho once bearing the
odium of the term lobbyists" are
as highly respected and as well
received as your Congressman or
Senator, if, and this is an impor-
tant qualification, their personal
ity warrant and their cause de-
serve it.
The lobbyist of other days is
gone, however, and his successor
operates in a wholly different
manner. There still may be a
rare instance of undue influence
exerted or attempted, but expert
ence has proved to industry. big
business, the farmer, or whatever
cause, that the legislator of today
can not be bought with money nor
influence unduly.
More often than not the lobby
list of today is a gentleman, an
economist, a specialist, who mar
shalls facts and figures, and, per-
haps on occasions, public opinion,
for his cause; but he does not ply
his legislators with drinks, nor
tempt them with financial aid.
Whatever else may be said of the
present day Congressman and
Senator, the fact remains that he
is above such maneuvering.
Instead ne welcomes the agent
of an interest or a group, or at
least listens to his story, balanc-
ing the statements and claims
against other opportunities from
conflicting interests.
Each lobby established almost
50 xroriabJx coils fo, an CnDOciOC
lobby. in self defense. Thus we
have the Anti-Saloon League, and
the Association Opposed to Pro
hibition, but at times, in separate
camps. We have the Blue Law
advocates, and the Office for the
annullment of the closed Sunday.
We have the railroad agent and
the automobile association, we
have the coal agent and the pc
trOleum league. One group is al
ways balanced against the other.
each presents his case, and, per-
force, abides by the consequences.
It is not generally known, but
under a name that is far from des-
criptive, the lobbyists have an or
~ganization of their own, and a
weekly luncheon together. To
this profession are attracted many
men retired, by request, from
office. both Senators and Congress
men, although many of the most
successful representatives have
never, themselves. held a public
trust.
Salaries u a wide scale. Com
pensation depends to a degree up
on the organization represent
ed, and he talents of the indiyid-
ual Possibly eight or ten thou
sand dollars a year would be a
fair average. but there are those
who receive as little as $4,000
yearly, and those who receive as
much as S25, 900, although if press
ed, this writer could not name m
in tht higher classification. One
former Congressman who success.
Federal law compelling vaccin-