Evening star., 1946-09-08
Lobbyists Invited
To Visit Capital
New Law Requires Registration
and Accounting From Agents

and Accounting From Agents
By Don S. Warren
For the first time in history the paid
lobbyist is making a command" ap-
pearance on Capitol Hill. Legislative
agents now are on call to submit sworn
statements as to who they are, what
interests they represent, what they are
paid, the source of their funds and,
down to fine point, where they spend
their money.
AS the trek began slowly last week,
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New Mex
leo commented that the public record
being compiled should prove of real.
value to Congress and of no embarrass-
ment at all to the legitimate operator.
He took the position that the use of
the spotlight of publicity should serve
to dry up the activities of the shady
artist "since evil always seeks the dark
ness" but stressed that Congress now
also has given an official recognition to
the legitimate lobbyist.
Only the vanguard of what are called
"swarms' of lobbyists has yet arrived to
sign the official lists at the Offices of the
clerk Of the House and the secretary
to the Senate. Hundreds of inquiries
have been received, however, and when
legislation again is started through the
mill next January the number of regis
trants is expected to increase sharply
Registration of the paid lobbyist is
required under one of the many sections
of the La Toilette -Monroney legislative
reorganization bill enacted in the clos
ing days of the Seventy ninth Congress.
*
Several specified classes of lobbyists
previously have been required to make
their identity known, such as those
listed with the Maritime Commission
and with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, but this is the first time
Congress has applied the rule to the
whole field.
The new experiment in registration
is characterized officially as "only mild
move" The measure, it's advocates say,
was carefully drawn to recognize and
preserve the fundamental right of petit
ton. To some it may appear to be
nothing but tedious business of max
ing out so many more Government re-
ports. To others, who won't want to
have the whole story of their operations
and financing outlined to the public, it
may be an inspiration to see how it's
terms can be escaped.
But there may be some surprises along
the line for any financed lobbyist if
mechanical requirements are disre-
garded. Though the provisions may be
mild" the law still requires an ac-
counting that may produce headaches
akin to those generated by the income
tax law. The careless or rebellious
lobbyist could be jolted by fine up
to $1,000 or II months Imprisonment,
or both, and disbarred for three years
from any sort of lobbying activity. And
if he attempted, directly or indirectly,
to influence the passage or defeat of
any bill, even by appearing before
committee during disbarment, he would
face felony punishment of $4,000
fine or Ave years Imprisonment, or both,
\
ing or receiving contributions to any
organization or fund for legislative pur-
poses. to keep detailed and exact"
account of all contributions along with
the names and addresses of every one
giving $500 or more, and the date
thereof. In addition, each such person
must keep receipted bills for all expendi-
t,lrp n nf tn nh
details quarterly with the officers of the
House and Senate, and preserve for at
least two years the receipted bills
This is not all. Another section re-
quires that within five days after the
receipt of any contribution of $500 or
more, the recipient is required to render
a detailed account to the person or
organization for which it was received.
Publicity on this sort of financial
dealings, as explained by Senator Hatch,
a member of the Senate Judiciary Com
mittee and the author of the earlier law
banning political activity by Govern
ment employees, should serve as sub
stantial guide" to the Importance and
sincerity of any particular lobbyist.
In the last analysis, OF course, the
effectiveness of the moneyed or penni-
less lobbyist, the slick or the stupid
legislative agent, depends on the indi-
vidual member of Congress-. His knowl-
edge and his fortitude should be in
creased with the greater independence
offered him under other provisions of
the reorganization act. These provide
substantial increase in pay and posi-
bilities of retirement for each member
and extra Office help and expert non
political" committee assistance.