Evening star., 1952-05-25
ANA Lobby Spending
Cut by Million in ST.;
Trend Is Downward

Trend Is Downward
The American Medical Associa-
tion cut back its reported lobby
spending by almost 81 million in
1851 and for the first time the
yearly spending trend was down.
ward for all groups, according to
Congressional Quarterly.
The 295 groups reporting in
1851 said they spent $9.488, ,09s
compared with the record $1O,-
S03,204 that $40 organizations re-
ported in 1850. The decrease was
the first in an annual spending
total since the Federal Regula-
ton Of Lobbying Act became effec-
tive August 2, 1946.
In its tabulation and comparison
OF financial reports filed under the
law. the Congressional Quarterly
also found, according to a copy
rlghted report, that:
Twenty three groups reported
spending more than 100000 each.
These % big spenders accounted
for $6,162,979 or nearly two thirds
Of the 1851 total.
Business Groups Spent Most.
When financial reports were an
alyzed according to interests, busi-
ness groups were most numerous
there were 140 reporting-and
spent the most, 5000, ,742.
ANA. with 1851 expenditures
listed at $450.372, slipped to third
among big spenders. It led in 1949
and again in 1850, when it re-
ported spending $1,326,O78.
The American Farm Bureau
Federation replaced ANA at the
top Of the list but said of its ST.
595,815 reported only small part
was spent for lobbying.
The Committee for Constitu-
tional Government. Inc, which
reported $773,957 spent partly in
connection with legislative activi-
ties, again was second.
ANA still topped groups that
did not declare some of their re-
ported spending to be for other
than legislative purposes.
Reports Filed Quarterly.
OF the 295 organizations, as
eoc1at1onS, unions and companies
that turned In at least one f.
nancial report during 1851, all
except 26 reported some spending
The lobby act requires that fl
nancial reports be filed quarterly
with the Secretary of the Senate
and Clerk of the House by groups
attempting to influence passage
or defeat of national legislation.
The stated purpose of the fl
nanclal reports is to show expendi-
lures "in connection with legisla-
tive interests" However, some
reporting groups declare their
spending for all purposes, appar-
emily because they either hesitate
to fix the amount devoted to lobby
ing or because they feel their ac-
tlvities can't be. classed as lobby
ing.
Expenditures Over 100000.
Those groups reporting the ex-
penditure of 100000 or more.
in addition to the ANA, the
American Farm Bureau Fedora
ton and the Committee for Con-
stitutional Government, are asI
follows. with the amounts re-
ported:
National Association of Electric
Companies - $434, 4,325.91, partly
legislative.
National Association for Ad-
vancement Of Colored People
$335.591.49, partly legislative.
Trucking Industry National De-
tense Committee-$249, ,882.56.
Association of American Rail-
roads-$237, ,809.89.
United World Federalists -
$2O7. .286.82, partly legislative.
The Proprietary Association
$193.S05.97, partly legislative.
National Milk Producers Feder-
ation-$185,315.78. partly legis-
lative.
Atlantic Union Committee
$158,714.48.
National Association of Real
Estate Boards-$133, ,625.76.
National Tax Eqaulity Associa-
tion-$129,870.42 through third
quarter of 1851 only.
National Economic Council. Inc
-$118,479.6 .66.
Chamber of Commerce, u. S. A.
-$116, 1920.
National Council of Farmer Co
operatives-$111,536.37.
National Coal Association -
sos, ,672.76.
National Federation of Post
Office Clerks-$1O8, 1924.
American Federation Of Labor
$104,256.89.
Committee on the Present
Danger-$102. .723.40.
Business Committee on Emerg-
ency Corporate Taxation-$1O2,-
$1,000, legislative interest ended
first quarter.
Southern States Industrial Coun-
cil-$101. .425.96.
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Asso-
ciation-$1O1, ,213.12.
Police and Firemen