Evening star., 1928-03-11
Can Congress Get Rid of Lobbyists?

definition of lobbyist 1t Is not expected that
more than 800 would register themselves. as re-
quired. But II all those covered by the CaraWay
bills definition of lobbying were required to reg
lister the list would be headed by Calvin Coolidge
President of the United States and might never
end.
The Caraway bill requires that every person
coming within its definition of lobbyist and en-
gagng in what 1t construes as lobbying shall
register with the clerk OF the House and the
secretary of the Senate. giving the name and
address of the person, association or corporation
in whose interest he Is paid to appear The
bill further states that He shall also disclose
the interest he himself may have, or those whom
he represents, in the proposed legislation, or for
the defeat of legislation He shall likewise state
how much he has been paid and Is to receive.
by whom he Is paid or is to be paid, and how
much he shall be allowed for expenses incident
to his employment" This information is to be
printed regularly in the Congressional Record.
together with the financial reports required by
the bill. The lobbyist must also file written
authorization OF his employment. and at the end
of each month report moneys by him expended
in carrying on his work as lobbyist, to whom
paid and for what purpose. and give the names
and dates of any person or persons whom he has
entertained as such lobbyist, and what the ex-
pense OF this entertainment was. Evading the
terms of the act Is punishable by fine or i'm
priSonment.
No great difficulty is expected In obtaining a
large registration of lobbyists. But how many
OF them going to report that their dinners.
luncheons, golf games and other forms OF enter
tainment resortcd to by lobbyists are rendered
with any other motive In view than TO cement
the bonds OF personal friendship? What lobbyist
is going to admit that his entertainment OF
members OF Congress Is lobbying? The expense
accounts are highly desirable good reading
matter. But getting them is another matter.
X X x
From its first session In New York City in
l789 Congress has always had the lobbyists on
its hands. In the first session the three big
pieces of legislation were the removal of the
Capital to another city: the funding Of the ma
tional debt and the assumption by the infant
Federal Government Of the debts OF the States
The first proposal was designed. originally as
sort OF an anti-lobbyiSt BILL for members OF
Congress wanted to be relieved from the impor-
tunites of merchants and spectators in New
York, And all sorts of people turned lobbyist
debts. It's success in the House was supposed
to rest on the vote of Representative Vining OF
Delaware. Senator Maclay OF Pennsylvania
wrote in his diary at the time: I'm the Senate
chamber this morning Butler said he heard
man say he would give Vining 900 guneas for
would do so In fact So do I, for he might get
1t for a tenth part OF the sum. do not know
that pecuniary influence has actually been used
but am certain that every other kind OF man.
agement has been practiced and every tool at
work that could be thought Of" Senator Maclay
House and Senate we're themselves engaged In
the speculation and stood TO gain. 1t Is doubtful
whether liamilton's funding plan could have
been adopted
But the activities OF the lobbyists of the first
and later sessions OF Congress were rather crude
Even Pendleton's offering of bribes to members
through winnings at cards in his gambling es-
tablishment lacked hnesse. After the Civil War
Sam Ward showed a touch Of genius in demon
stratirg that the way to legislators heart often