Yellowstone monitor., 1913-07-10
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TOM STOUTS WEEKLY LETTER

interesting s;del;ohts on men and things pontIcaI

AS the days run along and sensa-
tional developments pile up, there are
reasons upon which to base the belief
that President Wilson either possessed
some occult powers or had great deal
of strictly inside information when he
gently suggested that the city of
Washington is the abiding place of
various and sundry insidious lobbies.
It has always been recognized of
course, that gentlemen of that more or
less numerous cult maintain headquart-
ers in this city and ply their trade with
right good will, in season and out;
but there were many who thought the
President was simply firing into the air
when he made his sweeping statement
some five weeks ago, and that an in
vestigation would be rather perfume
tory affair with no appreciable results.
However, that may be, the results, up
to the present moment, have certainly
been amazing, not to say exceedingly
disquieting, to large number OF
gentlemen including many who occupy
rather exalted positions in political and
financial circles.
1t is now quite apparent that the
senate investigating committee OF
which Senator Walsh of Montana is
chief inquisitor, will be called upon to
perform most important function
during the present session of congress.
Although they have had several ses-
sions and examined many witnesses
they have really no more than scratch
ed the surface and that before they
have finished their task which is grow
ing with each days Developments a
number of life-sized sensations will
be exploded and many fair regulations
will be so badly scorched as to be unfit
for further use as political assets.
This investigation is certainly going
to throw some light into the more or
less stygean recesses of political activ-
tiles here at the national capital.
Enough has already been brought out
to indicate once more and very clearly
the very close relation between cer'
tain big financial interests and legisla
tive activities here in Washington.
This Investigation is going to throw
a flood of light on situation concern
ing which the general public has long
had some rather vague suspicious. 1t
is going to prove that what we have
come to know as 'Big Business not
only has a very direct interest in
which our governmental affairs are
conducted but also that big Busi.
ness'' has not hesitated to take per-
sonal hand in seeing that those affairs
are administered according to their
own peculiar ideas. To that end, "Big
Business has spent large sums OF
money, employed skilled manipulators
and corrupted men in the employ OF
the government. 1t has mainta ined ar
elaborate system of espionage TO,
the purpose of ''getting next" te
members of congress aud even higher
officials, has sought Systematically
to control committees, to assist in the
reelection of those whom they have
found amenable to reason, and tx
defeat, or try to defeat, men whom the
system has been unable to handle.
The latest bombshell to be exploded
consists of the copious confession ot
one Martin M. Mulhall, for man,
years the high salaried lobbyist fol
the National Association of Manufac.
turers. Mr.. Mulhall has evidently
determined to make good job of thi.
expose business and, with that end il
view, has turned over to the New
York World and the Chicago Tribune
several thousand letters and telegram
accumulated during his long services
as legislative manipulation. Mulhal
will soon be called before the investi
eating committee and his oral testi
mony, as it shall be developed by suc]
skilled questioners as Senators Walsh
Reed, Overman and Cummins, vii
doubtless materially supplement tn
Idamnings evidence provided by his col
lection of letters, kilograms, etc. It i