Evening star., 1934-01-21
An End to "Infuence"f

The lobby reform wave which
Is now gaining headway in Washing
ton may 60 to the extent OF prohibit
ing members of Congress from seeking
any favors whatever for their con-
stituents at the hands of the execu-
tive departments and other agencies of
the Government. If members of the
national political committees are to be
barred from practice" before the Gov
ernment departments, why should
there not be a further step which
would keep members of Congress from
swarming through these same depart
ments, seeking favors for constituents
who in turn are expected to support
these members of Congress for re-
election? That is a question which is
being asked in high quarters If there
is to be legislation by Congress deal
ing with members of the national COM
nittees, to prevent their lobbying or
selling their influence" why leave
Congress out?
Already there exists a law which
prohibits members of Congress from
practicing before the Government de-
partments for pay. But It is now urged
that there are various kinds Of pay"
in which actual money is not involved
at all The favors obtained by Sena-
tors and Representatives for their con-
stituents at the hands of executive
departments cover a wide range, it Is
warded by political support, and this,
In the minds of the reformers. Is
all wrong.
Washington would present a strange
and unusual picture if suddenly mem
bers of Congress were to be debarred
from appealing to the Government de-
partments for consideration of the mil
lions of requests which come to them
from their constituents. The business
Of a large number Of the legislators
would fall off tremendously. Many OF
them complain today that they are
mere messenger boys for their con-
stituents. Under the proposed new
order-which would certainly be new
deal for Congress-members Of Con-
gress would perform one function
alone, that Of legislation.
Probably this would make great hit
with the executive departments. To be
free Of congressional influence is the
dream Of many heads of departments
and bureaus. The executive would be-
come supreme at last, in his own field.
It is true, of course. that the legislative
branch would still hold the purse
strings through power of appropriating
public money, and the executive would
have to go to Congress for many things.
But the legislative branch would not be
permitted to go to the executive branch.
except for information.
Members of Congress would resent
bitterly any imputation that they were
selling their influence to their con-
stituents when they exercise that in
fuence to obtain favors for these con-
etituents at the hands of Government
departments and agencies. And yet.
It is now contended that if political
favors flow from constituent to Con-
gresham because Of the activity of the
Congressman before Government de-
partments, a transaction that amounts
to sale of influence has been consum-
ated.
Members of Congress have been
charged with selling their votes on
legislation coming before them for po-
litical support Of this or that group OF
voters. No money passes hands. Just
how to reach such cases would prob
ably puzzle the most intrepid reformer
It does not seem possible to isolate
members Of Congress from all political
pressure by their constituents. If that
could be accomplished. then, indeed,
the millennium would be at hand.