Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-24
WET LEADER TELLS
OF ILLINOIS LOBBY
,curran Says His Assistant
! Went Into the State to
E& Fight Prohibition. Il.

Prohibition Amendment, that his or
ganization had "lobbied' against the
dry laws in Illinois last year.
Correspondence also was read which
showed that the association had been
active before the New York Legislature
ct the same time.
Curran testified that Walter g.
Hooke, his assistant, had spent consid-
cradle time in Illinois and New York
working against prohibition, and had
spent a day or two in Rhode Island
Massachusetts and New Jersey.
It also was brought out through a
letter from Benedict Crowell of Cleve-
land, Ohio, to Curran that Secretary
Lamont had resigned from the asso-
cations board of directors when he
became Secretary Of Commerce.
Denies Court Lobbying.
At the outset of the hearing, Curran
denied that letters written by Thomas
w. Phillips, candidate for Governor of
Pennsylvania, to Justice Stone Of the
United States Supreme Court and the
late Justice Sanford had constituted
lobbying in the least sense of the word
During the hearing a letter from
John j. Raskob, chairman Of the
Democratic national committee, to Cur
ran was read, which congratulated the
latter upon the splendid progress that
the association is making"
Raskob, a director Of the association,
has testified before the committee that
he had contributed SIS, 900 over period
Of f7ve years to the organization.
This was Curran's sixth day on the
witness stand, and he was directed to
return tomorrow for further questioning.
ST think you ought to make me a
member Of the committee" he com.
mented smilingly when directed to re-
turn again tomorrow.
After Curran had defended the Phil
lips letters at the start Of the session
today, Senator Robinson, Republican,
ISOLATION with lobbying directly with
the United States Supreme Court" said
that the action was ''indefensible" and
"reprehensible."
No Thought Of Lobbying.
"Just because a man is q judge"
0urran retorted, "you can't put him
under a glass cage like bunch OF
Curran said Phillips merely wrote
friendly letters to Stone and Sanford
and there was no thought Of lobbying.
Robinson said he was surprised that
Phillips had not been hailed into the
Supreme Court on charge Of contempt
"Why don't you ask Justice Stone
about that?" Curran inquired. che
showed no resentment"
Senator Blaine, Republican, Wiscon-
sin, said he had requested the Supreme
Court to permit an attorney to appear
before 1t to argue the O'Fallon Rail-
road valuation case.
do you mean the Senate was trying
70 lobby with the Supreme Court?"
Curran asked.
ct was just bringing that out"
Blaine said.
Thinks Grundy Questioned.
Questioned by Robinson, the witness
said he thought Senator Grundy, Re-
publican, Pennsylvania, who Is running
Tor reelection, had been asked by the
association to give his stand on pro-
hibition.
1T think that was done, but am not
sure" he said. 81 don't think any one
knows his position"
Robinson read O letter written by
Senator Walsh, Democrat, MaSsachu-
sets, in 1928. asking that F. q. r..
Gordon Of Haverhill, Mass, be assigned
to work for his reelection to the Senate.
The letter said Gordon had covered
Western Massachusetts, two years ago
in the interest OF my election to the
Senate" =.
Curran testified that Gordon had been
assigned to Walsh's 1928 campaign. A
letter Curran sent Walsh said the as
ISOLATION would pay Gordon's expenses.
He did not recall how much was spent.
Advises Reply to Speech.
It was brought out through CORE
spondence that James c. II. Owen Of
Portland, Me, a director of the as
ISOLATION, had suggested that a reply
should be made to speech by Repre-
sentative Beedy, Republican, Maine.
Curran wrote Emmett Daugherty,
secretary Of the association, to get Rep
resentative La Guardia or Represent
alive Mead, both New York Republicans,
to come back at Beedy."
"I don't think anything came Of IT,
Curran said.
Robinson questioned the witness about
o letter he wrote in April, 1929, to Mrs.
Charles H. Sabin of New York, which
said a letter had been sent to Is Re-
publican Assemblymen of New York who
had voted against the jerks bill to re-
enact q State prohibition enforcement
act.
The head of the New York Anti
Saloon League had threatened to retire
them from public. life because they
voted wet Curran said, adding that he
wrote them to pledge support. Only one
Of them was defeated, he said.
Curran testified that Walter q. Hooke
Of New York, assistant to the president,
was engaged In political work" and
had been active In New York and Illi-
nois. > .. ~"'
He had spent day or two in Rhode
Island, Massachusetts, and New Jersey
Curran said, and drew a salary OF $500
q year and expenses.
Have you ever refused to pay any
Of his expense accounts?" Robinson
asked.
Il don't think have, J" Curran replied
"Does he ask you about expenditure!
before they are made?"
II don't think So.
Welt TO Illinois.
Curran said Hooke went to Illinois
about a year ago while the Legislature
was in session and remained severa
weeks.
A telegram from Hooke to Curran IL
April, 1929, said Hooke had been re
ceived at Springfield with open arms
and that he had better chance thar
expected"
Curran said there was a death watcl
Of IL leaders Of the w. G. T. U. VIII
sat in the Senate gallery" and that tn
people were glad the anti-prohibitioi
association was taking an interest u
Illinois.
The telegram added that Hooke ha,
secured q promise that bill would b.
reported without recommendation.
This is a strange situation when tn
inference has been from your testimon
that you did no lobbying" Robinson
said.
I'VE did 1t in Illinois, but we do no
do it In Washington" the witness re
Joined.
Asked About Wheeler.