The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-11

maintained elaborate suites in
two downtown hotels where
legislators we're lavishly en-
tertained.
Rollie w. Spiegel, Standard Nut
Margarine Co. president, has
stated to The Times the concern
paid Baker approximately $1500'
and indicated he did not believe
Baker was required to register as a
lobbyist because he is a company
stakeholder.
Indianapolis attorneys have held
the fact Baker is a stakeholder in
the oleomargarine concern does not
exempt him from provisions of the
lobby statute.
Before Mr.. Spiegel stated that
Baker received approximately
$500" for his legislative work, the
investigator" himself had told a
Times reporter that he had been
paid $500 for his legislative work
oAlO llldG llC lllICIlnC0 W lCBOkU ~
on his income tax return.
"He Was Over There" /
Mr.. Spiegel was asked:
Did the Standard Nut Margarine
Co. employ Joel A. Baker to lobby
against House Bill Is in the last
session of the Legislature held DUR
ing January, February and March,
1882"
We'll, he was over there" Mr..
Spiegel responded You know il
we sit back paSsively and pay no
attention to these bills that come
up at every session, one of these
days we would find ourselves legis-
lated out of business"
Mr.. Spiegel declared he did not
know what Joel A. Baker did at
the Statehouse to earn his $500.
HE was over there looking after
things" Mr.. Spiegel declared.
He Is a Stakeholder"
Mr.. Spiegel was asked a direct
question why, since Baker was rep
resenting his company. the concern
had not registered him with the
state SECRETARY, as required by law.
Say, I am not going to allow you
to croSs-examine me-" the mar
garine concern president. said.
He was informed The Times de-
sired only to learn the facts direct
from him as his company was in
volved. do you know" Mr.. Spie-
gel was asked, why Baker was not
registered.
Did he have to? He is a stock
holder"
The bill which Baker assisted in
killing was introduced by Reps. Cof-
fin, Linke. Griffith and Creighton
and would have imposed a 15-cent
tax on every pound of oleomargarine
sold in Indiana
Active in Bringing Defeat
The measure was referred to the
House Ways and Means Committee
and later a minority report, cutting
the proposed tax to cents a
pound, was adopted by the lower
house
Although adopted by the House
of Representatives the amended
measure finally died in a Senate
committee. Baker was active in
bringing about it's defeat.
The statute requiring lobbyists to
be registered, also provides that
prosecutions for failure to do so
shall be conducted by the Indiana
Attorney General.
While representing the oleomar-
garine concern, Baker was on a
leave of absence" from Criminal
Judge Frank P. Bakers court.
Records in County Auditor Charles
A. GroSsart's office do not show that
Baker was paid any salary by the
county for the three months he was
engaged in legislative work.
Statutes Are Examined
Excerpts from the Indiana stat
utes regulating actions of lobbyists
and their employers follows:
ANY person, firm, corporation. or
ASSOCIATION acting for or on
behalf of such corporation or asso-
citation, who directly or indirectly
employs any person to pro-
mote, advocate or oppose in any
manner, any matter pending, or
Turn to Page Three