The Washington times., 1913-08-22
LOBBY INQUIRY
SEES NEAR-R|OT
Congressman Nolan HotIy
Valves Rights Of Protection
Under Constitution.
,Cont,nued from First r4ge,

the bill. and the job was done on
Tuesday before anybody had time to
get in the promised arguments
DO you mean to say that President
Taft misled you?" asked Congressman
Kline
I don't go that far said Davis.
But whoever saw him. got the Presi-
dent to sign the bill before Wednesday.
the dav h, agreed to hear more from
opponents Of the legislation.
Attorney James Essby-Smith. repre-
senting Congressman McDermott of
Illinois, asked NJ. Davis as he left the
stand II he knew of any connection Nc
Dermott had with the alleged pawn
brokers' lobby. Davis said he had never
heard a pawnbrOker mention NJ De-
motifs name
Davis Tells of Activities.
When Colonel Mulhall stepped aside
10 allow Mr.. Davis to testify. Chairman
Garrett ask ed the attorney to tell in
his own way his activities in behalf of
the pawnbrokers of Washington.
M Davis reviewed the law and police
regulations regarding pawn and note
brokers.
Some time in 1911. he said. Mr.. Horn
ing came and engaged him TO represent
the pawnbrokers
4 had known Mr Horntng for
twenty years and had represented him
in various matters" said Mr. Davis. Il
did not really desire the work. and if
anybody else had asked me to take it,
] probably would have refused.
Work Of this character means at
tendance upoT Congress committees,
and dancing attendance. At that. at the
apitOl with no Ca!Culable hours. For
what l might have to do. ] told him !
would want good pay. ! received s.. 0lJ
about that time. which l regarded
rather i'm the nature Of retainer"
Mr.. Davis tolG of the lull in the loan
shark bill situation. and said he was
surprised al the rather sudden report
of the bill ty the House committee
Meanwhile, he said. the Eawnbrokers
had additional attorneys before the
House committee.
After Passage of Bill.
The attorney said he next heard from
the pawnbrokers wien the bill had
passed both houses. and they were in
dire straits fro mthe pawnbroker view
point. He agreed to de what ne could.
but told Horning the outlook was
gloomy
Nj. Davis said ne introduced George
D. HoI ming 10 Senator Dillingham;, one
O. the cOnferees on the loan shark bill.
who accorded a long interview.
! will try TO state the Senators with
whom l talked. Some OF them | have
known pleasantly for many years. /
talked with Senators Dillingham;. Mar
Tin. Gallinger. Newlands. Townsend.
Pomerene, and Curtis. Perhaps there
we're others.
4 made substantially the same ar
guDent to all. showing them that p
per cent OF the -paWnbroker loans are
about g. / told them. and I told the
President. that a Cabinet officer hau
mortgaged his home for SO, 900 when he
needed money in rush.
High Class Finances.
This was called a high class finan-
cial transaction. But if the hostler
of that Cabinet officer wants s. in a
hurry to get medicine for sick wife
ne must stink into a pawnshop. ! also
argued that a duchess, in Paris. would
pawn her jewels and borrow money
enough to get them out for one nights
ball, returning them next day.
I also said that it cost the pawn
broker as much bookkeeping to keep
track Of a 81 transaction as a $500
action. and this was another argument
against their inclusion in the bill The
House conference wanted the pawn
brokers in: the. Senate didn't want to
include them with the note and chattel
mortgage men.
The bill. told Mr. Taft. closed IN.
door 10 the poor man in need of quick
money"
MI Davis said he had never talked
to the chairman Of the House District (
Committee and hadn't even known him |
by sight until DAY or SO ago.
Confirms Testimony.
Mr.. Davis confirmed previous testi- |
Inony that he had suggested the employ !
ment Of Michael Sullivan. a lawyer. and |
William Hart to see House members, |
and to relieve Mr.. Davis Of certain de- |
Isils Of his labOrs. Mr. Davis also said !
that p. J. Ryan. lawyer. got $500 Df J
The second Davis fee Of $4,000
Burnstine and Heidenheimer. he SAID. !
kicked to HarnIng about paving Our
more money, and didn't want to pay !
the Ryan fee !
.Horning paid me $1,000. and hand /
ID back $500 for Ryan ! told Horning .
J." take il out Of me Ryan is an est |
alable gentleman. and Was entitled TO !
MS fee.
Mr. DAVIS would not admit that these .
men were 'lobbvIBG He Contcnded (
IA ~ non man business is to ne /
Effected h' IegFsls uon il il proper Inr
hat man to make representations by /
attorneys or otherWIs" to men Who are
b" pass on that legislation and a'qualDt
legislators Will facts.
Fine Weeks Work.
Asked 60, cerning the work per
ormed Tor the rwo fees-s2 - from
ne note brokers fund and t2,oco from
he pawnbrok"rs fund-Mr. Davis said
he devoted probably fve weeks TO the
.ask and was subject to call aIWay
fiIs earlier work. for the notebUrkers
consisted largely m examining tn. law
u this and oth'r jurisdictions regard
IE n~u"- l"HdIuE
1T Was mainly stud, fur the W0Ik /
n rlch was 10 come hIt !, became ap-
parent u VA 4 Turrlorn hope regard |
ug the note hroakcTS but We dtd
not think tn" pawubr"h"rs would b"
Included.
Asked Vho Nj. Hart Was NJ DAVIS
-ald h@ was FOR MANY Years The "UuT'-
Dental man Of John r. Mclean.
What we've Ryan. Sullivan, and Hart
10 DO asked NJ. Russell
They WeI" 10 see House UIemb,rs :
and present thu sam" argument made
90 Senator DlIiugham and others
"HoTning was thr man who got RYAN |
All ] know Is he was talking about tue
pitql herr. He reported to me OCca-
s.Onally as Il courtesy. and once ar
-anged an interview between Senator
cUrtis and myself"
Battle of Wits.
congressman Russell engaged in
-attle OF wits with Attorney Davis re-
yarCing the RYAN payment Mr.. Rus
.ol thought it strange that MI DAVIS
,ad signed 500 receipt last February, |
J. H..