, 1935-01-27
SHOWDOWN IN
RETAINER FEE
PROBE NEAR

AUSTIN. Jan. rs. P-A widely
heraided and long anticipated show
down on legislative retainers and
sources Of employment. with the
legislators as principals and the gen.
eral public as interested spectators.
Is IN prospect for capitol hill next
week.
The Purifying stage should be
reached Thursday when the senate.
sitting as a committee Of the whole,
plans TO consider > house reSolu-
ton proposing appointment Of a
joint committee to inquire into cor
porate connections Of members OF
the two chambers. The resolution
passed the house without a dissent
ing vots but evoked sharp words In
the senate.
Lzsue for Years
For several years the subject Of
corporation influence on legislative
proceedings has played a lively and
prominent part In primary cam
paigns. It was a burning issue In
the campaign waged last summer
~ Governor James v. Alfred.
The agitation for inquiry into az
iiliation Of members Of the legisla-
ture with the Interests" and for
strict regulation OF lobbyists has had
a decided effect on the general SEN
timent prevailing during the first
rev weeks OF the session, IN the
opinion Of members and observers.
For the most part lobbyists have Civ
en- the legislature a wide berth.
The extensive Hobbies that once
were maintained IN Austin no longer
are In evidence. The swarm OF lobby
lists that customarily greeted repre-
~Sentatives leaving the two houses
after adjournment Is missing. Only
q sparkling OF the "old guard" has
put IN en- appearance and then only
In the background.
The house resolution stated 1t Is
commonly believed and talked
throughout the state that members
Of the legislature are representing
interests that are antagonistic TO.
and conflicting with the interests
fof the masses OF the people" Lam
Ruage Of the resolution was highly
Objectionable TO certain senators
who referred to II as "demagoguery''
and "slanderous' and asserted a be-
lief that some one Is trying to put
the monkey on our backs"
Showdown Demanded
Demand for a showdown on the
statement was made by Senator
Frank Rawlings. OF Fort Worth, after
sharp verbal clashes with a group
supporting the resolution which
sought immediate adoption and adj
herence 70 its terms Rawlings said
he would offer an amendment to
subpoena witnesses and take testi-
mony to get to the bottom Of the as
serticns.
Extension Of the investigation to
cover campaign expenses OF depart
ment heads also may be proposed.
The house showed little indication
Of giving up the fight. Adoption Of
the resolution was followed a few
days later by introduction Of a bill
by Representative Cecil Lotief Of
Gross Plains. arch foe Of public
utilities. that would prohibit legis-
latorS TO be employed as agent, rep
resenative or attorney by any cor
poration.
The week saw final passage in
both houses Of one phase OF Gov
ernor Allred's recovery program and
substantial progress toward consum-
nation OF another administration
measure 10 accelerate recovery.
Both houses passed a series OF
bills TO lift restrictions against in
vestment by the states financial in
stitutions in loans guaranteed By the
federal government under the Ma
tional Housing act. In addition the
house stean-rollered 20 final pass
age a bill TO establish a state plan
ming board and sent It TO the SEN
ate where early consideration was
probable.
The administration mustered an
Overwhelming vote in the house on
Wis recovery bills. IN the senate only
y senator. II. j. Holbrook Of Gal
weston. opposed the housing bills.