Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-01
HOOVER MENTIONED
IN TARIFF LETTER
AT LOBBY HEARING
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the information in his possession to the
committee and answering the Ques-
tons truthfully.
The purpose of the Southern Tariff
Association Mr.. Arnold explained, is
TO get protective tariff rates on South
ern farm products. He admitted that
the association favored the election
of members Ct Congress who would vote
for protective rates.
Parties No Issue.
I'VE don't care whether they are
Democrats or Republicans" declared
Mr.. Arnold, IF they vote for protec-
ton"
Considerable Amusement was AFFORDED
the committee and the spectators when
Senator Walsh read from various let
tiers, obtained from the files OF the
Southern Tariff Association headquar-
tiers in this city, referring to the efforts
OF advocates Of protection TO defeat
Representative Garner OF Texas, rank
ing Democrat on the ways and means
mold and others referred to Representa-
tive Garner as your whispering friend
and whispering Johnny"
In one letter from Brown White of
San Benito. Tex, to Mr.. Arnold 1t was
suggested that whispering johnny
was responsible for the decision of the
lobby committee to investigate the
Southern Tariff Association.
Mr.. Arnold in one of the letters read
by Senator CsTsway was quoted as say
ing that when John Henry Kirby OF
Houston, Tex, president of the aSso-
citation. was called as a witness the
committee intended to ask trick Ques-
tons" and that the proceedings would
be more like police court trial than
an investigation"
Senators Caraway, Walsh and Blaine
repeatedly asked the witness what he
meant by these and other statements
in his letters. In most instances the
witness replied that the letters were
such as anybody might write" He
said that his impressions Of the kind of
an investigation the committee was
conducting were gained from reading
the newspapers and personal obsefva-
ton as one OF the spectators in the
committee room.
Chairman Caraway announced this
morning that the committee might
possibly investigate q charge that a
"pernicious and super-lobby represent
and that Senator Bingham of Connecti-
cut. was its "mouthpiece." This charge
was made yesterday in q letter received
bv Senator Caraway from Thomas L.
Hill. president Of the American Society
for the Promotion Of Aviation.
In Tilt With Walsh.
Arnold's Discrimination to answer
questions pointedly resulted In q heated
exchange with Senator Walsh at one
point and drew from Senator Blaine q
warning that the witness was subject to
criminal prosecution.
Adopting . belligerent attitude, Ar
mold at the time declined to say whether
he had referred to the Senate finance
committee in writing to Brown White
at San Benito. Tex, a letter about the
tariff schedule on certain Gulf Coast
vegetables.
White, prominent vegetable grower
and contributor to the Southern Tariff
Association, was advised by Arnold in
the letter referred to that 1t appeared
and depend on the rates Sliding by
without being noticed" rather than
open up the subject again.
Il want you TO understand, and those
with whom you are associated" Arnold
wrote, that we (meaning the asSocia
tom have pledged to the committee
that if these rates are granted. q per-
manent protective policy will be main
tanned"
Said He Meant Congress.
Senator Walsh sought to have the
witness say that the committee referred
to meant the Senate finance committee.
Arnold answered several times that he
meant Congress in general and the
public and the pledge, he said, referred
to resolutions adopted at meeting
some time ago in which the tariff ASSOC
citation advocated the election Of men,
bers Of Congress favOring tariffs on
agricultural items.
Subsequently, Chairman Caravan
after Arnold had repeatedly failed to
satisfy Senator Walsh. said Put it this
way. You did not make pledge to the
Senate finance committee?"
No" Arnold said.
Walsh observed that no other inter-
probation could be put on the reference
and Arnold said, They understand II
down there"
Arnold's evident suspicion of the
: SOhIhi'IcC ., SOOu Iduu, mace apparent
! In letters written by him to aSSOciat iOu
members before the committee con-
! Veneo, led To antagOniSm from the starr
OF the hearing today.
/ Arnold wrote 10 E. O. Baine at Nor
| Iolk, Va, several weeks ago that John
! H. Kirby. president of the Southern
! Tarih Association. was determined tC
! appear before the lobby committee" II
! seems. he wrote, they want to ask him
! few trick questions II is more like
/ A prosecution in a police court than q
I hearing"
! Result Of Observations.
Arnold said in response to question:
! asked by Caraway that his impression
of the committee was gained by oh.
I servations in the room before he We.
! called.
His activities in behalf OF varIou.
/ tarif schedules were inquired into al
John Garner of Texas was frequent,
mentioned in letters Arnold wrote tx
various members of the association.
In response to Senator Walsh, Arnols
said that at various times he had talkeI
with Senators from Florida, Senate
Watson OF Indiana. Senator Connali!
of Texas about vegetable oils; witt
Senators Black of Alabama and Harris
Of Georgia. All except Watson ar
Democrats. Th-Sc conferences Wer
held in company with members Of tn
committees of the association, Arnol'
said.
Under date Of September last
Arnold wrote tn White In Texas tina
our whispering friend may think W
: can't get in any ones once" Arnol
iaAA taA