The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-22
Nelson and Clapp Take
Stand Before Their
Colleagues.
LOBBYIST WAIVERS
WHEN QUESTIONED
Fails to Remember Details When
Doubt Is Cast on Meetings
With Political Leaders Which
He Had Reported in
Letters to Manu-
facturers.

Washington, July 2l.-rwo Senator's,
Nelson and Clapp, OF Minnesota. to-
night took the stand before the com
mittee Of their colleagues invcstigat-
ing the lobby" and denied the truth
OF statements made by Martin NJ Null
hall former political worker accelera-
tor OF congressional opinion and all
around field worker for the National
Association of manufacturers
In letters read into the record to-
day, Mulhall told OF conversations with
senator Nelson--a member of the lobby
commttec--in relation to the re election
early in 1909 of a bill amcndine the
sherman antitrust act. by q Senate
subcommittee, of which Mr. Nelson
was chairman. Mulhall wrote to +. G.
Schwedtman secretary. and To James
w Van Cleavc. president of the asso-
ciation that he had seen Senator Nell
son and that the Senator had told him
what transpired in his subcommittee
fe swore on direct examination bv
Senator Cummins that Mr.. Nelson had
suggested that the association send Il
copy of the subcommittce's adverse re-
port on the bill to the President (Mr
Roosevelp. In one letter. Mulhall
spoke OF being Introduced TO Senator
Ciapp by Mr.. Nelson. and of talking
with both men about recent decision
under the sherman act.
Memory Uncertain.
Questioned closely by Senator Cum
Minis, Mulhall first swore he had been
told by Mr.. Nelson what had occurred
in the committee, even to how it's mem
bers voted on the proposed amend
mcnt; pursued further. he agreed that
possibly he had not received such in
formation, and then switched again
and declared that ii he had reported
that he had received such information
1t must have been correct.
Il have no recollection of seeing Mr.
Mulhal or talking TO him about this
bill. and ] certainly would not have
talked to him about what transpired
before the Judiciary Committees" said
senator Nelson tonight. 1T is pos
sible that he may have stepped inside
my Office and gotten them from my
clerk.
Mr.. Hicks, my clerk. who was with
me then and with me now. says that
he cannot rccollect ever having seen
Mulhall in our room. So far as tie
report is concerned, YOU all know that
MIR. Nulhall could get these reports
from the document room. have no
recollection OF ever needing Mr. Mul-
hall OF talking TO him on these sub
jccts or anything else. Ever since Mr.
Mulhhll appeared here before the COM
mittcc. l have been iuckiu.: my brains
To think u recall If | o,tr saw him
VI tilt 't YAH Win Ulltl. mere is a
possibility that may be mistaken
understand that Mr.. Mulhall had IL
mustachc then, ana pcrhnDs that may
account FOR Tho fact thai do not
rcCoG li2c him now.
Il have not the slishtcst recollection
~ ever seeing Mulhull. ana certainly
nave no recollection that senator
Nelson introduced me To him in his
room sworc Senator Ciapp. 1T is
very clear in my mind that If had l
would have rccollectcd IT.
he Nelson matter came un when
Senator Reed Introduced letter dated
january %, 1909, from Mulhau to
Schwcdtman Il sent in my card to
senator Knutc Nelson, of Minnesota,
who made the adverse report as chair
man 10 the Senate upon the amend
meit of the sherman law" read the
letter. The Senator came out and
took me To his room and gave me a
complete statement OF what took place
continued on Second Page)