Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-02-25
THE LOBBY EVIL

In state capitolS and at the national
seat of government are to be found
legislative counsel and agents WHO
represent the pecuniary interest OF in
dividuals, associations or corporations
as distinct from the interest of the
whole people. These men are COM
monty called lobbyists, and the evils
OF lobbying is something to be reck-
Oned with. This was well demon
strated to the public in the investiga-
ton of the power interests by the Fed
eral Trade Commission. Men who
have been repudiated by their con-
StituentS are too frequently taken care
OF as lobbyists by corporations and
big business at higher salaries than
they were formerly paid as legisla-
tors. for their influence upon former
used i'm part as a reward for services
rendered by these hirelings of special
privileged groups in the past, befO. e
they were repudiated at the polls.
Lobbyists work in different WAYS.
They give dinners. parties. banquetS
and have personal contacts with leg
islators during the session. They Sc
cure positions with various corpora
tions for relatives and members Of
the family of legislators who will do
their bidding. 1t is very evident to
observers of legislation that lobbying
is being placed on professional basis
and that there are men making good
salaries out of this game.
1t is entirely proper that any indi-
vidual. corporation or association tn t
may be affected by pending legisla-
tion should have the opportunity to
be heard on such proposals befo, e
legislative committees by attorneys Or
other citizens if they so desire. But
the presence of those agents or lob
byists should be limited to aprea =
ance before committees where their
case can be heard The lobbyists of
today, however, do not lay so much
stress on committee hearings. Their
real work is done through entertain
ment of Legislators. pulling of wi es
that will exert pressure on individ-
ual members, and the insiduous
solicitation of votes. There are lob
byists who are at the capitol from the
beginning to the end of the session.
According to the Capitol Times Of
Madison, Wis, there is a CROWN g
fraternity of lobbyists who stick to-
gether and manipulate among them
selves with the result that they really
constitute a third house of the legis-
lature
rhe next session of the Minnesota
legislature will be confronted with
the state income tax bill as one of
the main issues in the field of taxa
ton legislation, the purpose of which
will be to levy upon larger incomes
more just share of taxes for the
support of government. This prob
ably will bring out the largest spend
ing lobbyist organization in the his
tory of Minnesota legislatures in an
effort to either defeat or pass an in
effective measure. The shifting OF
from 10 to 20 millions of dollars an
nually from general property tax to
the groups with large fees, salaries
and other big incomes will be fought
to the last ditch through the many
methods only too well known to those
masterful manipulators of the past
sessions The radio, the metropolitan
press, and every device that the in
genius minds of those groups car
fathom will be brought into play.
The Minnesota legislature should
pass a legislative counsel and agent:
law which will require the register
ing of every paid lobbyist when i
meets again, preferably in the earl!
part of the session. The Wisconsin
law along this line calls for the reg
istry with the secretary of state o
all those who represent the pecunfar.
interests Of an individual, association
or corporation as distinct from thu
whole people Of the state.
Aside from registering his name IL
the legislative docket in the office O
the secretary of state, the lobbyis
must show each class of Legislation
interested in and the name of EN-
ployer He must make additional en-
tries for each new subject of legisla
tion upon which he appears and fill
authorization of employer within tel
days after registration, The lobbyis
must also file 25 copies of any printet
brief or argument before delivering