Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-30

The Mulhall charges of lobby work done
by the National Association of Manufac-
turers are of a sensational character and
will lead TO an interesting inquiry. Yet
they are not in the nature of a revelation
in their general trend. however startling
may be some of the allegations against
individuals 1t is surprise to
learn that there is such an organiza-
tion as the National Association of Manu-
facturers, nor Is it surprising to learn
that il has maintained representatives in
Washington for years past Practically
every organization of business men, every
organized reform. every institutional pub
lie or private movement has maintained
such representatives here, to observe the
course of legislation. to lay arguments
before legislators and by various, some
times by devious. means to affect results
or 10 prevent results. Col. Mulhall
charges that the lobby of which he was
an active member did more than legiti-
mate representative work; that it
maintained intimate and he distinctly in
Inmates corrupt relations with certain
members of Congress. He gives some
names and some facts in his statement
and declares that he has mass of docu-
mentary evidence to prove his assertions.
committee TO prove these charges and to
ascertain what measure of truth they
contain
This disclosure of lobby activity is the
most important contribution yet to the
discussion of this question raised by
President Wilson's recent declaration with
reference TO a sugar lobby. 1t will keep
the investigating committee busy for a
= h,,lIa cfo ic lynr,
in full and examined in detail. Many
men are mentioned by the self-acknowl-
edged lobbyist. men high in national life.
Doubtless all of them will be summoned
to give their versions of the relations be-
tween them and the organization which
their accuser SO long represented here
Many weeks will be required to take this
testimony, for the subject cannot be dis
missed lightly with assertion and denial
The regulations OF some of the most
notable men in public life are affected.
Some of them stand directly charged with
taking brides. Some of them are smirched
with the suspicion OF yielding readily to
influence. Some are pointed out as po-
Iitical towards. afraid of the power of the
manufacturing interests of the United
States in their districts. 1t is q note
worthy fact that practically all who are
specifically mentioned are now out of
office.
No particular credit is to be given to
the claim that this disclosure of lobby
activity is inspired by public-spirited mo-
tives. Just what the animus is must be
left either to the ina gination or later dis
closure. The belated awakening of civic
conscience is always an interesting phe-
nomenon, reasonably subject to some
doubt as TO its genuineness. 1t may be
inspired by revenge. for instance. But IL
the truth is brought forth, If there has
been a corrupt influence at work upon
Congress for years TO influence legisla-
ton against the public interest. IL mat
ters nothing what the motive may have
been 10 bring about the revelation. Judg-
ment must be withheld as to the accu-
facy of these charges. They are impor-
tant II true. but they may not be entirely
true. and the investigation will soon show
how accurate they are or how highly
coiored they may be by personal anirnus
or by desire to occupy a conspicuous
position in the limelight