ABSTRACT
Historically, the tariff has been a favorite concern of lobbies. Its story has more than once been written as a history of lobbying tricks, stratagems, and propaganda devices. Lobbying also proved unimportant compared to other functions of pressure groups. Lobbying and pressure groups have become so identified with each other that it is often forgotten that pressure, or interest, groups also have other functions and programs. The predominant influence which a group like the Committee for a National Trade Policy had was as the recognized spokesman for the freer-trade point of view. The trade associations that interested themselves in this issue probably numbered in the hundreds. The stereotype of the egg-headed free trader and the hard-headed protectionist proved to have a germ of truth when we looked at the spokesmen. The role of trade-association executives is not highly regarded by American business.
