The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-07-18
Starts
Something

the explosive effect
Starts OF a single incident
Son,efb.p0 or a single remark
by an important Of
fetal 1t is a characteristic of chang
ing conditions and it is a circumstance
which causes Washington observers 70
be on their toes continuously be-
cause they never can tell when such
an incident win occur Thus ii was
the other day that Representative
Brewster, Republican, Of Maine, for
mer governor Of that state, arose in
his place in the house Of representa-
tives and charged that the Roosevelt
administration was threatening indi-
vidual members of the house who de-
clined to support the administration
view on a particular piece Of legisla-
ton. Mr.. Brewster named one Thomas
Corcoran as the administration ennis
sary and bearer Of the threats. He told
OF details of the circumstance and in
formed the house that the legislation
which the administration demanded he
should support was the so-called death
sentence provision in the bill 70 elimi-
nate utility holding companies. SUI
fee it TO say that Mr.. Brewster did not
yield.
The point Of this incident, however,
is that Immediately there came from
many quarters in the house q demand
for an investigation Of lobbying activi-
ties. There had been many charges
Heretofore that the public utility cor
porations were oyer-running the house
with lobbyists in their effort TO defeat
the death sentence" section. The real
reason back OF this sudden outburst,
however, lies in dissatisfaction among
many members Of congress with tactics
employed by the Roosevelt administra-
ton. They have taken orders con-
stantly since March i, 1898, but ap-
parently they are no longer going 10
obey-at least in such numbers as has
been the case.
So the investigation Of lobbying is 70
be started by a house committee and
1t will be broader than just the public
utility lobbyist. II the undercurrent
Of information proves TO be correct,
administration representatives VIII
have frequented the house chambers
during consideration Of the holding
company bill viii be placed on the
witness stand TO tell their story.
In the meantime and maybe as a re-
suit Of the excitement over the Brew
ster charge, Senator
Look into Black, an Alabama
Lobbying Democrat, started
fireworks in the SEN
ate He is prepared TO create investi-
eating machinery in that end Of the
Capitol 70 determine what influence
the utility lobbyists have exerted.
That investigation also will go beyond
the utility lobbyist phase. Il is sehed-
uled TO dig up dirt on lobbyists for
other legislation Thus far there has
been little mention of administration
activities around the senate.
But, as in the case of the house in
vestigation, il appears now that the
senate investigation has a double pur-
pose. II will be recalled that Senator
Black fostered a bill requiring all
lobbyists in Washington TO register at
the Capitol, to show their connection.
TO show what salaries or other COM
pensation they receive and TO make
public certain types OF correspondence
passing between them and the people
whom they represent. The gossip is
that the senator's bill. although il
passed the senate without difficulty,
viii have hard shedding in the house
Senator Black appears 70 be proceed
ing on the theory that the investiga-
ton win create additional atmosphere
and public demand for passage Of the
lobbyist registration measure.
Actually, / believe that the investi-
CATION viii do no more than ruin repu-
tations of some few people. Such an
inquiry viii not stop lobbying. II viii
not even curb or reduce lobbying. As
long as individuals have property the
value Of which may be affected one
way or the other by federal legislation,
just so long viii individuals seek TO
influence their representatives and SEN
ators in congress. 1t seems TO me TO
be a perfectly natural and normal
thing, and without defending the Shiny
type Of lobbying and the raw or crook
ed deals that may come from lobbying.
the voters have a right TO express their
views 10 their representatives
The irony of the present situation
is that undoubtedly there viii be no
reference in either investigation TO the
tremendous activity carried on BY the
American Federation OF Labor lobby
lists or the lobbyists for the American
Legion or the lobbyists for certain
groups such as the pacifsts or the rad
zeal supporters of Russian types of
government. Nor is il likely that the
correct picture of administration pres
sure upon the last two sessions Of con-
gress viii be disclosed.
Apparently any foreign invader is
going TO have a tough time stealing
any Of the govern
0udTdlng ment's stock of gold.
Our Gold Extraordinary pre-
cautions are being
taken, il has been revealed. 10 see that
this stock Of SO, 10S. 10000 is well pro-
tected.
Orders have been given for the con-
strucIi0n of a subterranean and i'm
pregnable vault al Fort Knox. Ken
lucky, 81 miles from Louisville The
vault eventually viii hold a consider
able portion Of the billions now stored
in New York and Philadelphia.
The site is isolated from both rail-
ways and highways An invading army
coming from the East would have 10
cross the Appalaehians. Airplanes pi-