Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-27
The lobbyists.

A general investigation of lobbying by
individuals and corporations in Wash
ington is proposed in a resolution Of
fered by Representative Ernest w. Glib
son Of Vermont Mr.. Gibson proposes
that the investigation be conducted by
a Joint committee of the Senate and
House.
Congressional lobby Investigations are
almost perennial. Certainly the demands
for these Investigations recur annually.
Congressional committees have taken
reams of testimony in their inquiry into
the activities Of lobbyists. Yet the lob
hyist is still with us, and. 1t is charged,
Is more active than ever. 1t may occur
to the common or garden variety Of
American citizen that If these lobby &C
tivities are an evil, Congress might do
something about them beyond merely
investigating" But the investigation
Is the long suit of Congress.
The present proposal for lobby IN
vestisation grows out Of the publicity
which Is given the investigation by the
Senate Of the big Navy lobby conducted
by the self-styled bass drum" William
3. Shearer. at Geneva and elsewhere. 1t
grows out too. of charges that the Amer
lean shipbuilding companies which en-
ployed Shearer have expended large
sums of money for lobbying in connec-
ton with merchant marine legislation
before Congress. And, finally, the ACTIVE
ties of many interests in connection
with the pending tariff bill may have
something to do with the demand for
lobby investigation, which has been
voiced by several members Of Congress
in addition to Mr. Gibson.
The Webster definition of lobby" Is
ito address or solicit members Of q
legislative body IN the lobby or else
where, with intent to influence their
vote by personal agency"
The business of influencing legisla-
ton is a large one, particularly IN
Washington, where tremendous
amount of legislation is turned out an
nually. Individuals or organizations
having an interest in legislation are en-
titled to present their cases to con-
eressional committees or to individual
members, of Congress. They are en-
titled to employ representatives to pre-
sent their cases for them to the men,
bers of Congress and the committees.
It is only when there Is secrecy or when
attempts are made corruptly to inf1u-
ence members of Congress in their votes
ha haNnFnng
cffensivo. an evil. threat to the Gov
ernmens self. II there is full pub
LEFTY regarding the activities Of the
lobbyists, IL the interests they repre-
sent when they talk with members
of Congress are made known to the
Congressman and to the public gen.
erally, all chance Of corruption falls to
the ground.
In the past. bills and resolutions have
been offered providing for the register
ing of all lobbyists in Washington,
active in pressing claims before Con-
sress or influencing the trend Of legis-
lation. But nothing has been done about
it. Such a system appears to be both
feasible and practicable. If all legisla-
tive agents were compelled to make
report of their employment to Gov
eminent agency on pain Of being fined
or imprisoned If they failed to do so, 1t
might, indeed, curtail the number OF
agents working about the halls Of Con-
gress. But that doubtless would be
blessing to the members of Congress
as we'll as to the country at large. The
Congress might even 90 further and
compel these legislative agents to be
licensed; have numbers assigned to
them, Just as licensees in other lines are
assigned numbered tags or tickets
Congressional Investigations of lobby
activities are salutary sometimes. They
put the fear of God and public opinion
In the hearts Of some INSCRIPTIONS
agents. But there is nothing final
about them. There are nine-day
wonder, and then the swarm Of lobby
lists Is thick again. some Of them. Of
course, working legitimately, but others
not so lawfully. They continue TO be
active until the next investigation
comes along. Then 1t is all quiet along
the Potomac for a season.