New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-20
PAWNBROKERS SOUGHT
HELP FROM TAMMANY
Tried in Vain, Lobby Witness
Says, to Get Its Aid Against
loan Shark" Bill.
RAISED A FUND OF S3,734
Gave $500 for the Democratic
Campaign, Thinking 1T
Would Be a Good Thing"
for Their Cause"
From The Tribune Bureau

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Aug. 19.-The vain hope Of
Washington pawnorokers that Tammany
Hall would come 10 their aid and obtain
a fair hearing" in the House when the
"loan shark" bill was pending in the sd
Congress was pictured to the House lobby
investigating committee to-day by
George y. Horning who has three brass
balls above the doorway OF his shop.
Mr. Horning. who was called TO testify
regarding the disbursement of 1874 SO
raised by the pawnbrokers to engage
counsel TO fight the loan shark" bill,
which finally passed. Unexpectedly spoke
Of Tammany Hall. which he seemed to
think might have exerted considerable
influence over legislation He made two
indirect attempts. he said. TO get Tam
many Hall into the fight making two
trips TO New York for that purpose.
The witness said the House District
Committee had not given the pawnbrok-
ers a fair deal after the loan shark"
bill was introduced, IN 1911.
Asked about his visit to New York.
where he once met Representative Nc
Dermott according to previous testimony.
Horning surprised the committee by say
ing:
Il used 10 go 10 New York frequently.
and went 10 see my friend Mr. Moss OF
Maiden Lane about the loan shark bill
7 81
took me down TO see a man. whose name
forget. who was connected with Tam
many Hall We saw him in a big build
ing which resembles our Municipal
Building here in Washington
Wanted Tammany Help.
Mr. Moss said he could help by reach
Ing the Tammany members in the House
and getting us a hearing on the bill. The
man said he couldn't bring Tammany
Hall into anything like that. and the
interview ended
Later saw John McDermott, a cousin
OF the Congressman, whom ] knew"
What did you expect John McDermott
10 do?" Chairman Garrett asked.
Il asked him if he knew anybody who
could help us?" said Mr.. Horning. Il
wanted TO know If he knew any Tam
many men who could obtain US a fair
hearing in Washington"
Was reference made TO any particular
member Of Congress-"
NO; Mr.. McDermott didn't know what
ne could do"
The witness denied the statement q
7 10 "a. IN, Toh 10
Dermotts office Representative McDer-
mott had tried to reach Representative
Rothermel. of the House District Com
mittee. over the telephone.
u remember no such conversation"
said Horning. Representative McDer-
mott. John McDermott and ,McMichael
were there. ! happened TO meet the Con-
gresham and McMichael in New York
and asked them 10 come on down 10 John
McDermott's office. in 18th street
McMichael testified that John McDer-
mott was connected with a brewers as
ISOLATION, but the lobby committee has
not yet located him.
Loaned Money to McDermott.
When asked If Representative McDer-
by three Washington pawnbrokers-
Horning. Heidenheimer and Burnstiae-
10 fight the loan shark" bill, Horning
replied in the negative. He said, how
ever. that ne had frequently loaned Rep
resen1tive McDermott money without
security. and that the Illinois Democrat
now owes him 1900.
our families were friendly" the wit
ness added.
Mr Horning cleared up the disposition
NJ the so-called lobby fund. lie said
g 600 went 10 Henry +. Davis, an attor-
ney. who represented the pawnbrokers be-
fore President Taft. The firm Of Tucker,
Kenyon & MacFarland received $3.50. $500
was contributed TO the Democratic cam
paign fund and three men-Schulteis.
Hart and Sullivan-received about $3.50
among them. The rest went for incl
dentals.
The three last named men, Horning
said. were 10 see members OF Congress
rs this Schulteis the Herman J.
Schulteis whose name has figured in con-
nection with the Antitrust League
asked Mr. Stafford.
swered.
What was he 10 do for the 5000 paid
him."
"IIe said he knew a lot OF members and
would present the case Of the pawnbrokers
20 his acquaintance. We were trying 10
get the pawnbrokers exempted from the
loan shark bill, for we couldn't do bust
ness on less than 3 per cent"
When asked why he used a part Of the
loan shark" bill fund to contribute 10
the Democratic campaign Horning said
he thought it would be "a good thing TO
give 20 the campaign"
Isaac Heidenheimer. another pawnbrok-
er. who was cross-examined to-day. said
the campaign contribution was made on
the theory that 1t would be well "to get
on friendly terms with the Congressman"
The contribution. he said. was made 10
the district national committeeman last