Omaha daily bee., 1913-12-10
HOUSE LOBBY is DENOUNCED
Representative MoDermOtt is Cen
sured by Committee.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE
Manufacturer, Labor Unions, Tar
iff Commission and biauOr
Dealers Have Paid Agents
at the Capital.

tee headed by Representative Garrett OF
Tennessee were made public today in two
reports. majority report signed by
democrats and republicans alike and
supplemental report filed by Representa-
tive Mcdonald Of Michigan.
The majority made no recommendation,
but declared that Representative Nc
Dermott OF Illinois had been guilty Of
acts Of grave impropriety, unbecoming
the dignity OF his position. though we
cannot say that he has been corrupted
in his votes"
The majority report also held that
McDermott. having intimate relations
with l. n McMichael. former chief page
OF the houBe. knew that NJ NJ MulhaIl,
"a lobbyist for the National Associa-
ton OF Manufacturers" employed Nc
Michael The majority held that both
the National Association Of Manufac-
turers and the American Federation OF
Labor engaged in political activities and
expended money 10 effect nominations
and elections OF the members OF the
house OF representatives.
Congress In III Repute.
Representative Mcdonald. who agreed
with the majority findings, declared that
congress had fallen somewhat from its
high estate IN the estimation of the
American people that there haa been
a broadcast suspicion OF conditions ex-
isting In congress that system has
been built up Tor defeating or preventing
remedial legislation. He made recon-
mendatlons for legislative reforms.
The main conclusions OF the majority
define n lobby as "a person or body Of
persons seeking 90 influence Legislation
by congress in any manner Whatsoever. 4"
The National Association OF Manufac-
turers. the National Council for Indus
trial Defense. the National Tariff Com
mission association, the American Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor, the washington City
Associations Of Liquor Dealers, and To-
cal loan sharks are found to have main
tained ioBbies.
MuIhaIi's Claims Extravasant.
Martin M. Muihall IL said TO have ad-
niitted errors IN some vital statements
made IN his charges 10 have been cor
roborated IN other subjects Of import.
ance by officials OF the National Asso-
citation Of Manufacturers and the Ma
tionaI Council for Industrial Defense
Mulhali, the report says. was extravn'
eant IN many Of his claims and over.
stated his potency and influence with
members Of congress and public mer
generally; he entertained anirnus against
many OF those against whom he made
allegations and used names OF public
men with an unjustified freedom. High
superior officers OF the manufacturers
organisation and the Council fer Indus
| trial Defense used him very largely and
primarily for personal lobbying" sayi
the report W sF
The lobby OF the associations OF man
ufactwers and of Industrial defense Il
held guilty OF improperly preventing and
seeking TO prevent legislation.
0ravest doubt was expressed as e
propriety OF acts OF kiulhaiI and Counse
James A. emery. for the manufacturers
The report added: ''It IL outrageous and
Offensive. that these associations havs
! had their paid hirellngs about the CAPT
Itol. buttonhoilng members OF congress,
TO induce them TO remain away when a
vote was being taken"
Nothing Iliegitimate was found In the
activity OF the American Federation OF
Labor. Lohbies OF liquor dealers and
money lenders In Washington were
found Ia have neither effected nor pre-
vented legislation improperly
Methods used by the manufacturers
organization in sending Mulhail through
the country with funds 10 organise tenn.
porary associations was denounced a.
''innproper, disreputable and dishonest. =
. No evidence was found OF employment
OF membtrs OF the house for improper
purposes. ea
: Tipping Employees denounced.
Tipping Of house employees. was de-
neuneed as reprehensIbie. Employment
By the manufacturers' association oi
former Chief PaEe MoMichaei Of ths
house was severely. censured.
/ Representatives Bartholdt OF Missouri
Burke OF Pennsylvania, Calder OF New
York. sherley OF Kentucky and Webb pl
North caiorina were upheld as neither
reached nor influenced by the manufac-
tdrers."
The committee held that Representa-.
tive McDermott minimised HIS relations
with Mulhaii. that he obtained small
loans from Muihali but added tha
| these were personal acts OF Mulhall
and we don't believe that he let Me
Dermott have the money with view I,
corrupting him. nor do We believe Nc
permott received from Mulhail in loan
or otherwise anything near the tl,5eo o.
t2,OOO as alleged
The committee concluded that Nc
motifs training and associations hav'
not given him the ethical perception
and standards relative to public offie
that usually characterize public men.
we cannot cay that he has been cor
rupted in his votes" it added. "but SOM
things which private citizen may d
with impunity must be avoided by on
In official station"