Norwich bulletin., 1913-07-23
MuIhaII Has to
 Eat His Words
WITHoRAWs HIS CHARGE
 AGAINST WATSON
CLAIMS IT A MISTAKE
Watson Not Member of House At Time Alleged by Lobbyist in His Original Testimony Monday.

Washington, July 22.-Martin M. Mulhall. professed ex-lobbyist- for the National Association of Manufacturers, today retracted the most serious charge he has made before the senate Investigating committee. He swore yesterday that former Representative James E.. Watson of Indiana had been employed by private interests in 1909 while he was still member of the house, to work for tariff commis- sion bill. He testified today that what he had sworn to yesterday was wrong i; that Watson was not a member of the house at the time.
 Rumors of Criminal Libel.
 Reports that Watson, who is in Washington. was about to ask 8 Dis trict of Columbia grand jury to in dict MulhaH for criminal libel were heard about the Investigating room all morning. Mulhall volunteered his re- traction shortly after the noon recess. He said he realized his mistake when he saw the date of @ tariff convention to be held in Indiana polls in Febru- a1y. 1908. The committee did not ques- tion Mulhall about the discrepancy in his sworn testimony. but Watson is already under subpoena and will take the stand later.
 Cardinal Gibbons Mentioned.
 Just before the close of the session today the Mulhall letters began to re- fer to efforts to secure Cardinal Gib- of the Episcopal Church of America, Ambassador James Bryce, the late Justice Brewer, Vice President Sher- man. Senators Borah and Deliver and other prominent men to speak in St. Louis during a course of lectures to be given by the Citizens Industrial as- sociation. Cardinal Gibbons was men toned in several letters between Null hall and F. c. Schwedtman secretary for President Van Cleave of the Ma tional Association of Manufacturers. Finally Chairman overman asked for an explanation
 Saw the Cardinal Once.
 'T don't believe saw the cardinal on that mission. I only saw him once"
 Mulhall said the association was or ganized for the purpose of giving edu- cational lectures and for keeping the side of the people interested in it be- fore the public.
 Has 1t anything to do with lobby work ?" he was asked.
 "Yes sir. 1t was organized to pro tect it's members or to work for leg sislati0n it wanted"
 1Legislatfon against labor?"
 sYes sir. Legislation against labor"
 GdFQlHdt 1HdUdtG VI itS P0Sos
 .Is it on the same line as the Ma tional Council for Industrial Defense ?''
 Mulhall swore it was and that it was a constituent member of that or ganization.
 Cardinal Gibbons and those other distinguished men did not know what the association wanted them to make lectures for-they didn't know the real object of the organization, did they ?'' asked Senator Nelson.
 No sir" said Mulhall. The com mittee did not ask him further about the one visit he said he had made upon the cardinal.
 Claimed to Have Won Danbury Priest.
 When Mulha1l was up in Danbury, Conn, in June, 1909, working on the famous strike of the Danbury matters. he wrote Schwedtman about the Rev. Father Shanley of that city:
 q have had several long interviews with him and have won him over as 9. warm friend Father Shanley Is one of the most noted Catholic c1ergymen in the east"
 He added that Father Shanley, he was sure, would be delighted to de- livep~a lecture in St. Louis.