The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-02
Inquiry Under Way as
to Operations Of Paid
Publicity Agents
OVERMAN HINTS
AT REVELATION
Witnesses Headed for Washing
ton From Many Directions to
Testify on Charges Made
by Mulhall-Story of At
tempted Bribery Con-
frmed by Gompers.

Washington. July with witnesses
rections TO testify on tho newest de-
/ velopments in the Senate's lobby In
/ vestigation. Chairman Overman gave a
hint Tonight Of further sensations in
the committees activities. An inquiry
I has been under way for some time it
+ is understood into operation of paid
press bureaus conducted by large cor
porations and interests" and the com
mittee expects to determine to what
extent paid publicity agents are en-
ployed to attempt TO influence public
opinion or direct Federal legislation.
The charges by Martin NJ MulhalI.
former representative of the Manufac-
turers' Association, regarding his lob
bying operations. viii not be opened
formally until next Tuesday To-mor-
rows hearing Will be devoted primarily
TO the testimony of Wall Street men
believed to have information ms TO
lobbying activities In New York. in
/ which the names OF congressman are
freely used
Its Nature Concealed.
Developments to-day Indicated that
officers Of the Senate and members OF
the lobby committee have been busy
! secretly for several days securing new
/ information. the nature of which Is
now concealed Senator Reed. who
y. u
10 have acted for the committee un-
officially in obtaining the names of tho
desired witnesses.
Interest centred again to-day about
the charges involving many present
and former members OF Congress. con-
tanned III the spondence Mulhail
has made public covering his eight
years OF service as an agent OF the
National Association OF Manufacturers
fornier Presidents Parry and Kirby. of
that organization. who were 10 have
sailed to-day from San Francisco for
Aus'IaIia' cancelled their passage on
the demand OF The officials and will
come 10 Washington to testify
I y demand will be made in the House
tomorrow by Representative Sherley
/ OF Kentucky, and Neeiey of Kansas for
an Immediate Investigation of the Null
hall charges by that body. Both Rep-
rcsentatives propose a special commit
tee of five 10 take up the allegations
made by Mulhal that the Manufac-
turers Association financed campaigns.
elected and defeated Congressman. die
tated legislation and controlled the
na ke-up OF committees
Secures MuIhnll Pnperh.
The Senate Committee has secured
the Mulhall papers. however, and pro-
poses TO hold them for lis inquiry. \
subpoena served on Louis j. Seibold
of the New York World required him
10 IIOuuCc IUe mass OF letters ana doc
unents turned over to the World by
Muihan and James a Emery, repre-
sentative OF the National Association
OF Manufacturers. In Washington. also
has been subpoenaed 10 bring all his
papers caring on legislative activi-
ties
Senator Overman declined to reveal
the extent OF the proposed investiga-
tion into paid press bureaus further
than 10 say that other developments
are coming" The committee learned
during It's Interrogation OF So called
sugar lobbyists" that large sums had
been spent for> publicity and for con-
tracts covering certain kinds of news
service. 1t is understood that efforts
will be made TO determine the extent
and character of all paid news service
| connected with the influencing OF legis-
lation.
I Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federat ton OF Labor, who
figured prominently in Mulhalls story
as the object OF a long continued at
/ tack by those who attempted to bribe
| CONTINUED On Second Page.)