The Washington times., 1913-06-30
cDermott SweepingIy
Denies All the Charges

In denying emphaticaIly Mulhalrs
statement that he was secretly in the
employ of the National Association of
Manufacturers. although ostensibly a
friend Of labor Legislation, Congress-
man James T. McDermott Of Illinois.
has given out a long interview review
ing his acquaintance with the lobbyist.
Mr.. McDermott also comes to the de-
Tense Of J. H. McMichaels. elevator
operator in the House office building.
whom Mulhall characterized as chief
spy for the association. Congressman
McDermott asserts that 1t is preposter-
Gus to say that McMichaels could furn-
ish the association advance Information
Of value to It.
Congressman McDermott, in his state
ment. also explains the accusation of
Mulhall that he. McDermott. forged"
q check made out to Mulhall.
. McMdchaels was at one t1me chief
page on the Democratic side Of the
House. and has been regarded as Nc
Dermott's protege for several years. The
Illinois Congressman succeeded In hav-
ing him appointed to a position as as
sistant doorkeeper and messenger in the
House press gallery. Later. he was
transferred to the House Office Build
ing and given position as elevator
McDermott says he obtained the latter
position for McMchaels because the lat
ter had been incapacitated by illness
for active work.
"McMichaels was never my secretary"
said Mr.. McDermott, but when he was
chief page he was always willing and
obliging and when he asked me II
would recommend him for a lob I did
SO.
1T is preposterous to say he could
give advance information regarding
bills. Anybody who wants to know
what bills are likely to come up may
consult the calendar"
Taking up the cudgels in his own de-
tense. Congressman McDermott asserts
that "Muihall never gave me a dollar
In his life and SO far as the National
Association OF Manufacturers is con-
cerned. 1 never received a dollar from
them in my life.
I'm answer to the statement that
authorized Mulhail to collect money for
me from the Beef trust, I want to say
that my oppenents have always had
plenty of money and I have always had
to 20 on my own hook. l never author
lied Mulhall to collect any money from
the packers for me-"
Congressman McDermott. who talked
freely of the Mulhall allegations and
summed up his statement by saying:
IT absolutely deny that I was ever
at any time under obligations of any
kind, financial or otherwise, to the
National Association of Manufacture
ers."
In part. Mr.. McDermott's reply to
the charges is as follows:
"Mulhall says that I am tool Of
the trusts. and that he Is reluctant to
bring into his story one Of his co-called
81. lc ~ latxo
When Mulhall first called upon me.
when I came here in the Sixty-first
Congress- he gave me his card. and
said he represented the National As
sociation of Manufacturers. / told
Mulhall that I was one of the Repre-
sentatives who represented the labor
ing people: that I was going to fight
for all measures beneficial to working
men, and j know that my record in
Congress for these years will show
that I have voted in the interest of
of the country.
About January or February. 1912, Null
hall came to me and said that he was
through with the National Association
Of Manufacturers. He said he was Tired
of doing their dirty work. or words to
that effect: and I said nothing to him in
reply. one way or another. About the
middle of March he said to NE that he
was going to Chicago, and asked II l
was going to have a hard fight. I said
that 1 was. and he replied: J know
some people in Chicago and added: I
will help you some At that time was
surprised at his proffer OF help, because
he and his association never received
any assistance from me. and ! did not
see why he should do anything to help
me. will state right here that I do
not know of their helping me In any
way. and / am positive in the statement
that 1 received no financial help fiom
them.
"Mulhall called me on the phone in
Chicago about April /, 1912, and asked
for further information as to whether
] was to have a fight. and repeated the
statement: I am going to help you.
He seemed so sincere about Il that I
thought he meant It, I went with him
to the Harvester building. and We met
Mr.. Harold F. Mccormick, whom had
known personally, and for whom have
high regard. Mr.. Mccormick said
his company did not mix in politics In
any way. but. being a personal friend
Of me. he would give me a donation,
and told his secretary to have a per-
sonal check made out for $3.50 Null
hall said: Make II out In my name.
/ thought nothing peculiar of II at the
time. and let It 60 that way because