The Detroit times., 1913-08-05
TOWNSEND CALLS
MULHALL LIAR"
WHILE ON STAND
Michigan Senator Also Refers
TO LOBBYIST as "Self-C confessed
COrruptiOnist"
WATSON CHANGES MIND
ABOUT TESTIFIlNG
Former Indiana Scion Bitter In
Declaration That Probers
Minds Are Made Up

WASHINGTON. Aug Former
Rem James r. Watson. OF Indiana. TO-
day informed the senate lobby probers
that he was convinced from press
statements OF various members OF the
committee that they had prejudged
the AIulhall case and In formal let
Ter 10 Senator OEerman, bitterly con
demuing the committee withdrew his
request 70 appear and deny the state
ments of the former lobbyist OF the
National Association OF Manufacture
ers
Watson was 10 have taken the
stand today His decision not TO
testify. but TO take his case 10 an
other tribunal. where the law Will be
impartially weighed. caused a switch
in the committee program Senator
Townsend. OF Michigan, appeared at
his own request TO brand Mulhail as
liar" and a self-confessed cor
rupuonist"
Watsons letter 10 Overman was
bitter in condemning statements
summing up the Muhall testimony,
appearing In a New York newspaper
last Saturday. signed by Senators
Overman. Reed and Walsh. These,
he said. plainly state that major-
ity OF your committee without wait
ing 10 make formal report, voluntar.
lily rushed into print to announce
judgment before a single witness for
the defense was heard. and before
one syllable OF rebuting testimony
was offered"
II submit that you have prejudged
my evidence Watson wrote. You
have passed on its character and suf-
fc.ency without having heard il, for
while you do not specifically mention
my name. yet you have privately de-
termined and publicly announced
that Mulhall has made his case.
II have no connection with the y.
A. NJ, but these statements make ii
clear that even ii | were to prove
Muhall to be perjurer, yet my case
would not be helped There
fore, senator's, 1t would in my judg-
ment, be farcical for me TO appear
before your committee for no matter
what my evidence might be. you have
so strongly foreshadowed your report
and SO uRerringly forecasted your de-
cision, that could not hope TO change
either or make any impression what
ever upon your minds"
The committee considered Watson's
letter in executive session. When
the opening hearing was resumed
Senator Townsend asked 10 be heard.
rot. as he explained because OF any
thing In Mllhalls story that reflected
upon him, but because he felt the
statement in Mulhalrs published story
that Townsend and so other legisla-
tors were easily approached. should
be denied.
Denies Mulhall's Call.
This eli-acknowledge corruption
ist Townsend said. referring 10 Null.
hall, has said he had confidential
talks with me. This is absolutely
false While | can't remember all my
callers. IL is unthinkable that | could
forget this man
The witness said he had received
a call from a committee while he
was IN the house, and that one or
them who talked too loud" had said
they were tired seeing Sam Gompers
and the American Federation OF La
Dor crowd" run congress After they
had finished inyeighing against labor
legislation Townsend said he turned
Them out A few days later he said,
Mulhall met him in the house cor
ridor and told him that he was the
only honest man he had met here
Il have never forgotten that man.
No one could" Townsend said.
When he SAYS he had further con.
ferences with me. he states an un.
qualified falsehood