Evening star., 1934-01-30
BYRNES ASSA|LS
LOBB|ES IN FORUM
Senator Advocates Passage
of Bill to Control Poll
tiCians' Activities.


Lobbying activities of members OF
Congress and politicians before various
Government departments were vigor-
ously assailed in an address by Senator
James F. Byrnes of South Carolina In
TIE National Radio Forum, arranged
by The Star and broadcast last night
over q coast-to-coast network OF the
National Broadcasting Co.
Advocating his bill to limit the acttvi-
ties Of Congressman to strictly congress
stonal affairs, he said the statute would
mot only save millions of dollars to the
taxpayers but would enable Senators and
Representatives to do that which they
would infinitely prefer to do-Study the
legislation pending in Congress instead
of being forced to travel all over the
City of Washington acting as lawyer
broker and salesman, pleading for the
special interests of a few individuals
who seek funds from the Treasury"
Business Men Gullble.
Senator Byrnes particularly con.
demned the practice of members Of
Congress appearing before employees OF
Government departments to plead fol
special interests when they have had
a hand in the appointment OF Govern
ment officials before whom they are
appearing.
prosper only because there is no one
quite so gullible as the successful busi-
ness man. 1t is always amazing to
those acquainted with washington life
that the man who is known as hard
headed business man so frequently be-
comes 'softheaded' when he has busi-
ness with his Government. He seems
to base his Judgment of the character
Of those directing the affairs of the
Government upon what he has read OF
the corrupt activities Of some isolated
ward politician. He fails to observe
that the Government employees who
are presumed to be corrupt invariably
die poor"
1T is generally agreed" he contn-
Ned, that member OF q national COM
nnittee, or an employe of such national
committee. should not be permitted to
practice before the departments Of the
Government. I would 60 further and
provide that no man who has within
two years served as member Of ma
tional committee, or an employe of a
national committee, should be permit
ted to so practice.
"The evil to be abolished is the use
Of political power to influence the de-
termination Of matters by employees OF
the Government. That political power
and prestige comes as result Of power
to recommended persons for appoint
ment in the departments.
ut IS further necessary to provide
that no official or employe Of any de-
partment should be permitted to prac-
tice before department within two
years after he has severed his connec-
ton with the Government"
Text Of Address.
The text Of Senator Byrnes' address
follows:
On January 20 the President Of the
United States was quoted as stating
that he would use his influence to Sc
cure legislation prohibiting one hold
ing Office either as an official Of the
United States Government or member
or employe OF the National Commit
tee of a political party. from practic-
ing before departments of the Govern
ment in any matter involving the ex-
penditure Of public funds.
Evidently the President had learned
that some gentlemen who had been
active in the political campaign re-
sulting in his election, had moved to
Washington and because of their sup
posed influence with the President, had
been employed to represent clients be-
fore the departments OF the Govern
ment.
The statement of the President served
to accomplish three things. 1t served
notice upon these political lawyers that
he disapproved of their activities in
Washington. 1t waved notice upon
weak minded and weakened employ
ers of the Government who might be
Influenced by these lobbyists that their
conduct would meet with the 0sap-
proval Of the President.
It served notice upon the citizen who
has business with his Government that
there is no back door to the White
cause it is unnecessary for him to en-
ploy a lobbyist to present that cause.
The evil to which the President called
attention is not new one. 1t is as
old as the Government itself. Atten-
ton Is directed to it at this time be-
cause a change in administrations will
always bring to Washington new crop
of lobbyists associated with the party
coming into power, and further, because
the expenditure Of large sums in connec-
ton with the recovery program, and the
establishment of codes for the various in
dustries, offer great opportunities for
the activities OF the lobbyist.
Lobbyist is Recognized.
Lobbyists in Washington prosper only
because there is no one quite so gullible
as the successful business man. 1t is
always amazing to those acquainted
with Washington life that the man
who is known to his neighbors as a
"hard- headed business man" so fire.
uuently becomes soft headed" when
he has business with his Government.
He seems to base his judgment of the
characte of those directing the affairs
of Government upon what he has heard
or has read Of the corrupt activities Of
some isolated ward politician. He fails
to observe that the Government en-
ployes who are presumed to be corrupt
Invariably die poor.
Any general Characterization of po-
litical lawyers in Washington is apt
to do injury to some attorneys who in
public life have rendered distinguished
service. who now reside in Washington
and who practice their profession in the
courts Of the District instead of in the
that these gentlemen will be injured
The legitimate lawyer is recognized and
20 is the professional lobbyist.
However, the lobbyist pr6pers and
because he does it becomes our duty to
curb the evils resulting from his activi-
ties. Because it inevitably will cause
men to lose confidence in the honesty
Of Government. it is essential that those
In control of the Government should
do all In their power. not only to abol-
ish the evil, but abolish even the ap-
pearance Of evil
In the discussion of the matter, it
u generally agreed that a member Of
q National Committee or an employe of
such committee should not be per-
mitted to practice before the depart
ments Of the Government. would
60 further and provide that no man
who within two years served as a men,
Der Of National Committee or an en-
ploye Of a National Committee should
be permitted to so practice.