The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-16
SORD|D RECITAL
OF CORRUPT TON
Former Chief Page Corroborates
Charges Against Congress
man McDermott.
HE IS BITTER AGAINST HIM
Shocks Committee With His
Outbursts OF Profanity
and Slang

Washington. August 15-In a
dramatic statement, j. H. McMichnels.
dismissed chief page OF the House of
Representatives. tonight presented To
the House lobby investigating commit
tee a sweeping charge Of corruption
against Representative James T. Nc
Dermott. OF Illinois. for years his
sponsor. With intense earnestncss, Nc
Michacls. in picturesque language, cor
roboratcd the allegations OF NJ. NJ Null
nall against McDermott and made atidt-
tional charges. at times shocking the
committee and spectators with out
bursts OF profanity and slang
The witness declared that for years
he had eNcrted every effort TO support
Mcpermott. had loaned him money,
had helped him in his campaigns
Now, he said. McDcrmott had thrown
him down." and he felt lie must tell
the truth
In addition to the charges already
made, McA!ichaels sworc that the Chi
caEo Representative told him that he
received $1,000 out OF a fund of 10000
raised by the pawnbrokers OF Wash
inSton TO oppose q bill passed in the
last Congress regulating interest rates
In the District of Columbia. In this
connection. McMichaels told of a trip
to New York. when McDermott con-
ferrcd with John McDermott. of an
association of brewers. and with
George II. Horning, local pawn
broker.
Pleads for Conceulmcnt.
Concluding his testimony McMichaels
testified that Congressman McDermott
since the Muihall expose had endeav-
ored TO get him TO conceal McDermotcs
alleged part in the Transaction
Il met McDermott in the hall of this
office building said McMichaels his
voice unsteady with emotion. and he
said, My cod am a ruined man.
What am ! going to do?' DO you sup
pose anybody will believe this old
guy | said to him. I've worked hard
for you for six years. harder than
ever worked for any man. tried to
elevate YOU and help YOU to big posi-
ton. told him had done all
could for him. He said. You've got
nothing to lose; YOU don't live with
your wife. I'm Congressman, and I've
got wife and children. Say YOU wrote
these letters unbc iinownst TO me. and
that didn't know anything about ii.
Even ii they prove that YOU committed
perjury and forgery. they can only
send YOU down the river to the Ark
for two years, ana I'll pay YOU slo0 a
month while YOU are there
Il said to him. Yes. you're willing
10 pay me SloO a month To go 10 jail
for YOU, but YOU won't pay me the
wages YOU honestly owe me I've got
sil in my pocket: that's all I've got
To show for six years work but |
won't do this for you"
Apparently struggling to control
himself. McMichacls told the committee
OF furnishing S75 to take Mulhali 10
Chicago to aid McDcrmott in the 1912
campaign.
Where did YOU get that money!"
asked Representative Garrett
Ny mother had just died" said Nc
M!chaels, "ard was executor for my
mothers will. The money was in a
bank here TO the credit OF the estate
and gave Mulhali a check for it,
had To hustle To put il back. | never
got any of il from McDcrmott.
McMichacls told at length OF making
trips TO various pawnbrokers in Wash
inEton TO secure money either for Me-
Dcrmott or himself.
Iirihcd by Pnwnbrnkers.
McDcrmott told me" he said. that
the pawnbrokers. had raised $4,000 to
fight the loan shark bill. and later he
told me he got S,.5G0 out OF it When
asked him why he didn't pay me what
he owed me with part OF il, he said:
My God. man. had To pay II on debts,
and still owe $4,000"
Throughout McMichaels recital Rem
rcsentative McDcrmott. with his coun-
sci. sat Immediately opposite the wit
ness. chewing on big cigar, and
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