Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-14
J.E.WATSOh PAID
FOR TARIFF WORK
Ex-President Towne of N. A. M.
Admits Cannon Aid Got
$3.50 Weekly,

continued illness of Mulhall, star wit |
ness. A physicians certificate was
presented that Mulhall is threatened
with a nervous breakdown.
At the senate lobby committee, Sec
Rotary Meade of the Merchants asso-
citation of New York produced books |
of the National Tariff Commission as
sociation showing the National Asso-
citation of Manufacturers contributed
81 900 and testified that the tariff as
ISOLATION paid former Congressman
Watson $3.50 between April and July,
1909. Mulhall has testified that Wat
son was employed TO lobby for the
tariff board.
Henry A. Towne, ex-presideHt of the
National Association of Manufacturers
yesterday afternoon before the senate
lobby committee admitted that the
National Association Of Manufacturers
was responsible for the creation of
the national tariff association commits
sion, which employed James E. Wat
son to lobby for a permanent tariff
commission bill in 1909.
Mr.. Towne said that he had known
virtually nothing of Watson's activi-
ties; that the late President Van
Cleave of the National Association of
Manufacturers, and H. E. Miles, the
National Association of Manufacrur-
ers' official, had employed Wat
son, and that of the more than
$4,000 paid Watson for his work, the
National Association of Manufacturers
had contributed $1,000. Mr.. Towne
was under the impression that the
| 81 900 contributed by the National AS
sociation of Manufacturers had been
turned over to the tariff commission
association and by it paid out in $3.50
weekly remittanceS to Mr.. Watson.
This explanation did not account for
the fact that two $500 checks, made
payable to Watson and signed by Ferd
C. Schwedtman as secretary to Presi-
dent Van Cleave of the National AS
sociation of Manufacturers, had been
cashed by Mr.. Watson late in April,
1909.
Mr.. Tovne admitted that Watson's
work was almost entirely under the
direction of H. L. Miles, chairman of
the executive committee of the as
ISOLATION.
Il had nothing to do with Mr.. Wat
sons employment, nor did l know, ex-
cept in very general way, how he
was employed. AS l recall it, l met
him only once when he was introduce
to me, and | was informed that he had
been retained to help in the fight for a
tariff commission.
Later | was informed that certain
payments had been made to him at
the rate of $3.50 week in compliance
with the understanding and had been
entered In the treasurer's books on
the account of the executive commit
tee.
Il do not know why Mr.. Watson's
employment was discontinued; wheth
er he was discharged or left of his
own volition. l know l was notified
that payments to him would cease al
a certain date"
Did you ever hear of any attempt
being made by Mr.. Watson or his
friends to get more money from the
Tariff Commission association after Els
salary stopped?" Senator Walsh asked
NO, sir, not that / can recall now
and l think | should remember if any
such attempt had been made at that
time"
Senator Walsh then read a section
from letter written Mulhall by Vat
son in which the latter expressed
doubt that anything could be done tt
get him any more money from the as
sociation
I Mr. Towne was not certain jus
: when Mr. Watson's service ended
: though he was sure it was prior tt
the final passage in the senate of tn,
Payne-Aldrich tariff bill
| He denied that he had any informa
ton then or now as to Watsons views
on tariff questions while a membe
of congress.
did you employ Mr.. Watson be
cause of his influence with leading re
publicans in congress?" Senator Rec
asked.
Il suppose he was employed becaus
of his legislative experience, hi
friendship, and his influence"
Out OU Sl1lpAOSG0 d Hill WHO Wa
known as Speaker Cannon's RICH
hand man, did you not, because yoI
thought he would WELD a powerful
influence with the Cannon organize
tion?"
81 cannot say as to that. AS 1 re
I marked before, Mr.. Van Cleave an
Mr.. Miles were responsible for Nj
i WatsOn's retention
Mr.. Towne denied that the taril
commission association had played an
part, as far as his knowledge went, i
the attempt to place Miles and Sched
man on the tariff board which tn
4 Payne-Aldrich bill carried.
Referring TO the statements in le
ter previously introduced, indicatin
that National Association of Manufai
turers' officers were aroused agains
Miles because he desired a real n
duction of the tariff, Mr. Towne sal
that Mr. Miles was a thorn in the sid
of his friends in this way becaus
they were opposed TO confounding tn
fiscal arrangements of the tariff wit
the fight for a tariff board
Mr.. Towne said that he himself ha
favored downward revision, but tn;
he had not publicly expressed himse
\"