"A NATIONAL PROPAGANDA BUREAU?"

SENATOR ACCUSES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 3, 1925, Senator George W. Norris* (R-Nebraska), issued a statement "denouncing the United States Chamber of Commerce for attempting to organize a 'national propaganda bureau'."

According to the statement, the Senator has information that the Chamber is sending government representatives to sign up new members whose fees will be used "to influence legislation in Congress."

The charges alleged by Senator Norris were denied by Elliot H. Goodwin, resident vice-president of the USCOC.

The Senator's statement goes on to accuse the Chamber of an attempt to "control the government and its legislative machinery."

JFK+50 NOTE

The United States Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1912 by Charles Nagel & headquartered in northwest Washington, D.C.  USCOC is the largest lobbying group in the U.S.

*George William Norris (1861-1944) was born in York Township, Ohio & educated at Baldwin Wallace University & Valparaiso University.  GWN served 5 terms in the US House of Representatives 1903-1913 & 5 terms in the US Senate 1913-1943.

SOURCE

"Would Buy Congress, Charge," The Washington Times, April 3, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Senator George W. Norris

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

WAR FOR THE LIFE, HONOR & INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTRY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2269

U.S. SENATE VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY FOR WAR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago this evening, April 4, 1917, the Senate of the United States overwhelmingly passed President Woodrow Wilson's war resolution by a vote of 82 to 6*.  

The vote came after thirteen hours of debate on the floor of the Senate. Senator George W. Norris (R) Nebraska charged that the motivation for entering the world war was "at the behest of the munitions barons of Wall Street."

Senator James A. Reed** (D) of Missouri countered by saying...

"The president is not calling America to war for the sake of...dollars but for the life, honor and integrity of this country."

Senator Norris, along with Senator Robert M. La Follette (R) Wisconsin. were among those few in opposition to the war resolution.

The United States of America would formally enter the war after the approval of the war resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives and the signature of the President. 

*The vote came at 11:15 p.m. Washington time.  8 senators were absent or paired.

**James Alexander Reed (1861-1944) was born in Ohio & attended Coe College. After practicing law, JAR served as mayor of Kansas City 1900-1904.  He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1910.  While Senator Reed supported Wilson's war resolution, he opposed entry into the League of Nations.

SOURCES

"Senate For War; 82 To 6," by Arthur Sears Henning, The Chicago Daily Tribune, April 5, 1917, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

President Wilson Asks for War Declaration

April 2, 1917
Library of Congress Photo