The Washington times., 1910-04-05
Charges Article Reflected on
Course in Merchant
Marine Dispute.
HOT CROSS-FIRE
AT LOBBY INQUIRY
Former Representative McCleary,
OF Minnesota, Denies Wrong
ful Use Of Influence.

Upon charges that he mad criminaIlv
ibeled Congressman HaIvor s. emerson
Of Minnesota. John A. Pev,ton publish
er Of the Iron Trade Review. Of CIeve-
land, Ohio. and OF a pamphlet known as
the American Flag. and also secretary
OF the Merchant Marine League Of the
United States, was arrested at 12.s To-
day as he stepped from the House office
Building, where hA had been sum
moned 10 testify before a committee
Penton was secretly indicted March
30. Following his arrest accompanied
by former RFepresetnative McCrearv of
Minnesota. he went 10 re Distr5ct Al
torney's office, where Be- gave 500 cash
bail for appearance for trial. The in
dictment against him charges that in
the issue OF the American Flag for De
, cember 1 last, PentOn published editor
lals attacking Steenerson's sincerity in
voting for legislation affecting the mer-
chant marine.
The Objectionable Article.
Under the caption. What Manner OF
Man IS This?" Penton said.
rs a man ft 20 hold high public Of
fee that Will deliberately pervert and
maliciously falsify the facts connected
with any important public question. IS
ne sfe, a trustworthy man2 We hold
that he is not; that such a man IS dis
/ honest and an enemy 70 his country
best interests, and that he and men
Ike hmm are a constant menace "a
American progress at home and abroad
There are not many such in Con
Sress, but there viii always be some
tew' and the Ninth strict OF Mime
sofa has one"
Considerable feeling US developed To-
DAY before the select committee investf-
saung the alleged existence o. 4 shin
suhSldy lobby wher Representative
SJeenersOn, author o. the CHARGES.
asked Mr.. McCleary II he had nor use5
ms privilege when on the floor OF the
I9uSS 70 urge upol members ship sub
Mt McCleary reseute twhat no de-
ciareo 10 be an unfair inference fr the
question propounded. and asserted WIN
eInpnasls that although ne frequently
! dFaiIed himself Of the privileges of tbe
| floor. he never used that oriviIega for
| the purpose Of lobbying.
Admits Making Addresses.
! In response TO questions bv ATr. SteeD-
ersonr Mr. McCleary aemitted thar he
| delivered a number OF addresses on Tho
subject OF merchant marine at the re-
quest Of the officers Of the NIer-ban,
Marine League Of TIE United States
In some instances he was paid fun e,-
penses, in other instances only. part Of
his expenses were paid. and IN no in
stance, he said, did he receive rlore than
( his expenses.
Mr. McCleary said he had no knowI-
/ eCge or a lobby for or agtfDe+ So
! SUBSIDY. Asked by Representarive Gar-
/ rett or Tennessee, If he knew OF an Or.
] ganlZatOn Of foreign shi-, owners v>Tr
/ were succeSstul IN having thcIr views
| reflected In Washington. Mr. 7T~~re-,~t
said he would not like 10 s,.-z5e, s---.t ~
] a QueSuOn, yes or no, but he baIie,-a5
| thaI the arguments Of f0refgr. shi-, ~,
/ eTS IN their paid advertisements bore
d sIIlhlhe resemblance 10 some Of rhs
/ arguments against ship subsidy mad+
| IN the House He insisted. hovever
! tndt ne had TO knowledge OF and az
/ ao- ao- ceHeVe thr-e was any, improper. in.
Penton Examined.
Penton was the only other witnes,
examined He said that after rsIkfne
with his superior officials by telepbonl
he had been inStruc- ed TO inform N.
! committee that while the Iearue NJ,
anxious to aid in the investigation h
| would prefer TO bo represented bv conn.
| sci and he asked for an adiournneDt
until his counsel could arrive in Wash.
/ ingtOu.
| Pending a decision Of the co-or,i+-,,
! al an executive session, Mr.. PeDton Ma,
asked by oIr- Stesnerson to identity !
number Of letters addressed To MON,
! bers OF Congress and sent out fro-r
| the league headquarters. va
| Many Of the letters. bore thu siqDs+,,-,
OF Mr.. Penton, but most Of them. tbt
witness said, were signed bv stano
| graphers- Some were signed b,, Tobr
NJ Maxwell, formerly editor of 'sTbs
American Flag-the publication ir
which several members Of COnpras.
were attacked. Mr.. Penton said ~.
league would hold itself responsi1is
for all the letters although II adrni++.5
that some Of those dictated by MAY.
age