Evening star., 1934-01-30

an increased appropriation Of two or
three million dollars for his particular
bureau, and the employe who favors the
pgtation, the Senator suffers the same
embarrassment to which the depart
mental employe was previously sub
jected. II he reciprocates the favor
shown him, it means that in order to
secure few thousand dollars for one
of his constituents he will take a few
million dollars from all OF his consttt-
uents
So far as the Government and the
taxpayer are concerned there is no diff
ference between the Congressman re-
ceiving fee of $500 for his services in
influencing the departmental officials
and his receiving in the following elec-
ton a campaign contribution of $500
from the person who was benefited by
his services. The evil is the exercise Of
political influence, resulting in deci-
sion based upon such influence instead
Of upon the merits of the case. That
evil can be cured only by legislation
such as that proposed in the bill have
introduced prohibiting member of the
Senate or of the House from appearing
before any department of the Govern
ment, representing any individual or
corporation, advocating the payment of
q claim. the awarding Of contract or
the granting of a loan.
Would Be Timely.
Legislation at this time prohibiting
the use of political influence would be
most timely. Between this date and
July l approximately $4,000 100000 will
Hua ltch ~,
to be spent or loaned in order to re-
vive industry and furnish relief to the
people Of the Nation. The professional
LOBBYIST must not be permitted to en-
rich himself by reason of the misfor-
tunes OF the people. 1t matters not
that lobbying has always existed This
is new deal And, while we are de-
manding that every industry adopt a
code giving greater consideration to the
rights of the public. we should demand
that the political lawyers conform to a
new code of political ethics that will
recognize public office as an oppor-
tunity to serve the people instead of an
opportunity to serve themselves.
1t would not interfere with them in
the performance Of any duties as legis-
lators. 1t would only seek to prevent
them from interfering with officials OF
the executive departments in the per-
formance Of their duties
In the expenditure. Of vast sums of
money for relief by immense Nation
wide organizations hastily recruited. it
was inevitable that there should be
some few persons who would be guilty
OF petty grating. The officials in
charge OF the administration of these
relief funds have fearlessly exposed the
of1enses and dismissed the offenders.
Director Hopkins and Secretary Ickes
have promptly dismissed the few en-
ployes found disloyal to the trust re-
posed In them. Congress must do its
part to protect the people against the
misuse of political power.
Sees No Hardship.
The proposed legislation as to men,
bers Of the Senate and House will work
no hardship upon them. Within recent
years the people have demanded that a
Senator and Representative do every
thing except that which they were
elected to do. namely. legislate. If
they comply with one-haf the requests
they receive to travel around the city.
visiting the departments, the only way
In which they can know what is going
on IN Congress is by reading the news
papers the following day. And while
they desert the Capitol in an effort to
please their friends, the few who are
not called upon to run errands can re-
main at the Capitol. determine what
taxes to levy upon the people and how
that money shall be spent.
The truth is. the citizen has been
misled into believing that he cannot
present the simplest request to an
official of the United States Govern
ment except through a Senator or
Representative. He has no hesitation
in approaching the officials Of his State
government and seldom thinks of hav-
ing to approach one through his State
Senator or the members Of the House
of Representatives in his State. He
has, however. the unfortunate belief
that he cannot directly appeal to the
officials Of the United States Govern
ment. I say unfortunate" because the
citizen should feel and be justified in
feeling that he can approach the
officials Of his government without the
Intervention of any legislator.
Such legislation as I have proposed
would have a wholesome effect. It
would not only save millions Of dollars
to the taxpayers, but 1t 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
few individuals who seek funds from
the Treasury, they could remain at
their posts at the Capitol and devote
their time to legislating for the welfare
Of all the people of America.