Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-11
CARAWAY SCORES
BURGESS ACTIONS
Lobbyist Dec c'ared
Guilty of Contempt of
Senate in Statements.

BY the Associated Press.
Chairman Caraway of the Senate
lobby investigating committee on the
floor of the Senate today, referring to
William Burgess of the United States
Pottery Association, asserted: This
paid lobbyist had no regard for his own
reputation, no hesitation for commit
ting perjury, and was perfectly willing
to slander members of the Senate
Caraway made his statement after
reading report on his committees in
vestigation of Burgess activities, In
which 1t was said the latter,s attempts
to have Frederick Koch, an employe
of the Tariff Commission, disciplined,
amounted approximately to contempt
of the Senate"
Criticized for Address.
Burgess had criticized Koch for CIV
ing information to Congressman during
hearings on the tariff bill.
The lobby committee chairman told
the Senate that Burgess, under oath.
swore that at least three members of
the Senate finance committee had
joined him in condemning the actions
of Koch. Caraway added that each one
of the Senators had refuted this state
ment. He mentioned no names except
that of Senator Edge, Republican, Of
New Jersey.
He added that Burgess was "willing
to accept money as a lobbyist" and was
willing to go out and try to frame"
Koch. The latter sat in the gallery and
listened attentively.
In making its second report to the
Senate since investigation of So-called
lobbyists was begun, the committee re-
viewed at length the testimony of Bur-
CESS, who was characterized as "evaSive
and disingenuous in his answers" but
made no recommendations.
This plan was followed in its first
report on the employment by Senator
Bingham, Republican, of Connecticut,
Of Charles L. Eyanson of the Connecti-
cut Manufacturers Association to aid
him in tariff matters. Later the Sem
ate voted condemnation of the action
of the Connecticut Senator.
Burgess, who now is employed by the
United States Pottery Association testi-
fed before the committee that he pro-
tested to Chairman Marvin of the Tar
iff Commission against the action of
Frederick l.. Koch, chief of the ceramics
division OF the commission, In giving
information to Congressman during
committee hearings on the pending
tariff bill. He denied, however, that he
had sought Kochs dismissal.
Discipline Is Sought.
Commenting upon this testimony. the
report said there is no doubt that
Burgess appealed to Marvin to dismiss
Koch or otherwise discipline him or
conStrain him and other members of
the force of the Tariff Commission to
refrain from giving any information
that might initiate against the enact
ment of the highest possible rates of
duty, or from aiding members of the
committees OF Congress, or Senators
and Representatives who might be be-
lieved to be deSirouS of reducing the
duties, his acts amounting approximate
ly to contempt of the Senate, If they do
no constitute SUCH"
The report said the specific charge
made by Burgess against Koch was that
he had repeatedly prompted Senator
King, Democrat, of Utah, member of
the Senate finance committee, who was
known TO be opposed to high duties. to
ask questions of witnesses testifying in
behalf of such on items in the earth
enware schedule"
Koch also was charged by Burgess,
the report added, with exhibiting par
tiality lin favor of the importers of
pottery and was on terms of friendly
intimacy with the manager of Japan
ese importing firm."
Discussing a letter that H. r. Wyllie
of Huntington, w. Va, wrote to PreSi-
dent Hoover and Secretary Mellon, ask
ing dismissal of Koch. the report said
Wyllie had informed the committee he
obtained his information from Burgess,
though the latter, when on the witness
stand, denied that he had communi-
Gated in any way with Wyllie on the
subject"
Reviewing the testimony of Koch
the report said nothing appeared to
cause the committee to doubt that he
was in the faithful discharge Of his
duty in aiding Senator Kink in pro-
pounding questions to the witnesses"
The report said Burgess had been in
Washington most of the time since
January looking after the pending
tariff legislation and particularly the
earthenware and glassware schedule.
HE has been in frequent consulta-
ton with members Of the Senate On
tariff matters as well as with others at
the Capitol" the report continued. sex
hibiting deep concern In the passage OF
the tariff bill as It came from the
House or in securing higher duties on
manufactured products.