The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-07-24
LAWMAKERS DENY
MULHALL CHARGES
Nelson and CIapp Repudiate N.
A. M. Agents Allegation.
WATSON IN TESTIMONY AGAIN
Confessed Lobbyist Declares Former
Congressman Received Salary
From Association In Return
for Work In Washington.

Washington, July 22.-Two sen
ators, Nelson and Clapp Of Minnesota
tonight took the stand before the com
mittee of their colleagues investigat
| ing the lobby and denied the truth
| of statements made by Martin M Null
hall former political worker. accel
orator of congressional opinion and
all around field worker for the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers.
In letters read into the record Null
hall told of conversations with Sen
ator Nelson--a member of the lobby
committee-in relation to the rejection
early in 1909 OF bill amending the
Sherman antitrust act, by senate
subcommitte, Of which Mr. Nelson was
chairman. Mulhall wrote to +. G.
Schwedtman, secretary to James w.
Van Cleave, president of the associa-
ton, that he had seen Senator Nelson
and that the senator had told him
what TRANSFERRED In his subcommittee.
Mulhall swore on direct examina-
ton by Senator Cummins that Mr.
Nelson had suggested that the associa-
ton send copy of the subcommit-
tees adverse report on the bill to
the President (Mr. RoosevelD. In
one letter Mulhall spoke of being In
troduced to Senator Clapp by Mr..
Nelson and of talking with both men
about a decision under the Sherman
act
Nelson Denies Charges.
Il have no recollection OF seeing
Mr.. Mulhall nor talking to MIN about
this bill, and certainly would not
have talked to him about what tran
spired before the judiciary commit
tee." said Senator Nelson last night.
clapp Denies MuihaIl.
Il have not the slightest recollection
Of ever seeing Mulhall, and certainly
have no recollection that Senator
Nelson introduced me to him in his
room,' swore Senator Clapp. 1T is
very clear in my mind that if ! had
would have Tecollected It,"
The Nelson matter came up when
Senator Reed introduced letter
dated January 20, 1909, from Mulhall
to Schwedtman. Il sent In my card
to Senator Knute Nelson of Min
nesota, who made the adverse report,
as chairman, TO the senate upon the
amendment Of the Sherman law" read
the letter. The senator came out
and took me to his room and gave
me a complete statement of what
took place in the judiciary commit
tee before they made their adverse
report"
Did Not Influence Nelson.
Senator Nelson's report on this
bill was made three days before your
call; you do not mean to say that
you Influenced him." asked Senator
Cummins.
No, SIR not at all
Aside from Senator Nelson, Null
halls letter dealt largely with what
the National Association of Manufac-
turers was going to do for former
James +. Watson Of In |
diana toward getting him place in
President Taft's cabinet. and Of how |
the association began work fov n |
tariff commission. According to the |
letters, Mulhal, Schwedtman, and |
eventually Van Cleave and others high !
I'm the councils Of the association, |
Watson in the post of secre-
tary of commerce and labor after |
he had been defeated for governor of !
Indiana.
Watson Paid Weekly"
Il believe that Mr.. Watson was en-
ployed by the commission Of 100 of |
the tariff committee when 1t was
tain amount of money per week for
his services while he was here in
Washington for that committee.
Il know at that meeting here this |
was made; they set q
price on Mr. Watson Of $500 for re-
tainer. Mr. Emery set that price. by
appealing to Mr.. Kirby and the rest.
and $3.50 week for Mr.. Watson while |
he was here working in that work and
$4,000 II he got the bill through at
the end OF the compaign"
Mr. Watson at that time was not
a member suggested Mr.. Reed.
Yes. he was member Of con
gress,'
Indictment 10 Threatened.
Mulhall may have an opportunity to
tell in court part Of the story Of lobby.
ing activity he has related
Former Representative James f.
Watson of Indiana stated last night
that he would furnish evidence to
cause Mulhall's indictment on charge
OF perjury. Mr.. Watson was charged
by Mulhall during the day with having
received money to work for a tariff
commission bill while member of
the house
WISCONSIN MAN GETS POST