Evening star., 1928-03-11

lies through his tummy, and not, necessarily.
through the vulgar interchange of money But
later Developments showed that even Sam Ward
had failed to lift to the highest plane the noble
art OF lobbying In 1872 there was the Credit
Mobilier scandal which developed that members
OF Congress had been given shares OF stock In
return for favors In connection with construction
Of the Union Pacific Railroad Ben Perley Poore.
In his "reminiscences OF the congressional lobby
Of 1872 and thereabouts, describes 1t as "quiet
but efficient part Of congressional machinery"
with an occasional investigation revealing the
work Of cx-Congressmen who hover about the
Capitol like birds OF prey, and OF correspondents
so scantily paid by the journals with which they
are connected that they are forced to prostitute
their pens"
But the adroit lobbyists in the estimation OF
MIR. Poore belonged to the "gentler SEX
Some of them are the widows of officers OF
the Army and Navy, others the daughters OF
have s' drifted from home localities where M they they
found themselves subjects of scandalous COM
ments." he wrote. They are retained with in
structions to exert their influence upon desig-
mated congressman. Sometimes the Congress-
men are induced to vote aye on certain meas
ure sometimes TO vote no. and 1t often occurs
that where the lobbyist cannot make an impress
sion on them. one way or the other. they will
endeavor to keep them away from the House
when the roll is called"
Railroad passes, express and telegraph franks
were convenient and effective mediums for soft
ening the hearts OF Congressman at one time.
But toward the close of the last century the
pedents such as bribery and backmail and be-
came refined In a book written In 1907 Paul
S. Reinsch describes some Of the later methods.
which. 1t Is understood have not been entirely
discarded In this new and purer age.
THE inexperienced legislator" he writes.
without money friends becomes acquainted
with some tactful lobbyist: through him he Is
introduced to influential members. and also IL
he desires, to the social life Of the Capital He
Is given assistance in preparing his bills. material
IL collected for him when he wishes to make
speech. or to favor or oppose some measure In
committee. Thus difficulties are snoothed over.
information Is supplied and social pleasure made
accessible by cordial friend who never mentions
legislative business Should toward the end OF
way. Bill No 2l2 comes up today and want
to see 1t pass hope you will give me your as
sistance' there are few members who have gone
thus far who will refuse this request and the
purpose OF the lobbyist has been accomplished"
X * y
President wilson, shortly after he became
President In 1919. charged that there was an
"insidious lobby" at work In Washington seeking
to influence action on the pending Underwood
Senator Cummins that IL there was such an in
sidious lobby 1t should be brought into the light.
the Senate investigated 1t found that while
considerable sums Of money were spent by those
interested In the inclusion Of high duties in the
new tariff law, equal amounts had been laid out
for entertainment and other purposes by those
interested In low duties. While the House
sentative McDermott OF Illinois guilty OF
grave acts Of improper influence unbecom-
ing the dignity OF the position he holds" and
recommended that he be censured by the House.
nothing was found to substantiate charges by
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