Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-17
Watson Accused President of
Thus Assisting Taft, Says
MuIhaII.
FIGHT WAGEO ON CANNON
HELD TO BE DIRTY DEAL
Lobby Witness Declares Sherman
So Described Chief Execu-
tive's Action.

turers continued his Testimony before tba
Senate lobby committee today. detailing
his activities among congressmen. Some
of the letters introduced dealt with for
mer President Roosevelt's Endorsement Of
the candidacy OF Mr.. Taft, then Score
tary of War.
In a letter to Schwedtman, secretary Of
the manufacturers, in April, 1908, Mulhall
quoted the late Vice President Sherman
as saying that the fight then raging on
Speaker Cannon was dirty deal by
the White House against the Speaker"
Watson states" wrote Mulhall. that
the President (Roosevelt is moving
heaven and earth to nominate Taft and
that he is willing to sacrifice the Sher-
man law and every law to please the
trusts and please Wall street, so that
he can get their support for his candi-
date"
Meeting Of Senator's.
Mulhall also wrote of attending Q
meeting at Mr.. Foraker's house, COM
posed of senators who will oppose the
President and his policies at the Chi
cago convention" He added that he was
told to work against Maryland delegates
being instructed for Taft.
The opposition to the President" Null
hall continued, intends to let no Iegis-
iation through that he wishes at this
session. of Congress. and intends to fiSht
the Taft forces to a finish. There is q
whole lot that took place at this meet
ing that cannot very well be put on
paper.
Gus congressman. I'VE have sent special
people after Mr.. Townsend in Michigan"
said one.
Against Unfair Legislation.
May T. same year. Mulhan wrote
Schwedtman that he had called on Sena-
tors Carter and Hemenway. Senator Aid
| rich's secretary and others. and was 'as-
sured by all these gentlemen that it mat
| tered not what the President attempted
to do. there was not going to be any un-
fair legislation passed through the Senate
this session. On the House side L called
J Fassett and several others and gave
| them our reasons why no Injunction legis-
lation should be passed
The letter detailed conversation with
Senator Beveridge, in witch the Indiana
senator declared himself for an injunction
| bill, amendment of the Sherman law and
| a child labor bill. Mulhall wrote that ho
reported Beveridges sentiments to Hem
enway.
Beveridge Scored.
Hemingway told me to tell Beveridgo
he was talking through his hat and that
his hat was a damn poor one. He added
that Beveridge was blufiing." said the
letter, land assured me that no such
legislation could pass the senate. Sena
tors Carter and Aidrich simply laughed
at Beveridge's statement Watson later
told Mr.. Emery and 1 that Beverid6e
was simply crazy. Watson stated that
he was in full charge of affairs in the
House during the illness of the Speaker"
Mulhall testified about his expense
accounts. and identified one item of a
payment of s. in May, 1905, to "Neal,
He frequently did little errands for
us" said Mulhall. land let US know
who was in the Speakers room"
Fathered the Furore.
May Mulhall wrote Schwedtman
quoting Watson to the effect that ''all
! this furore about the Sherman law
amendment and injunction bills was
gotten up by himself and the Speaker
| to flood the President with letters and
| stop tariff dickering at this session"
Schwedtman wrote Mulhall May 3
about Beveridges attitude.
"Beveridge is not very big now, but
will grow smaller right along if he keeps
UP that kind of talk. He need not try
to bluff US. We have been in the game
too long,"
Another expense account item Was for
$3.50. breaking shoemakers strike in
Portsmouth, Ohio. in May, 1903. Three
| thousand men Were involved. Mulhali
broke the strike in three days, he said.
and spent in addition ST. taking union
officials to a circus.
Another letter disclosed that May 81.
1908. former Representative Haskins of
Vermont proposed that Mu!hall work
for him.
Activities on Platform.
Mulhan's activities in connection with
the republican national platform in 1903
were brought out in a letter to Schwedt-
man on May IS it concluded by saying
that Wade Ellis and others suggested
that President Van Cleave and Secretary
Schwedtman of the manufacturers go 10
Chicago a week before the convention,
see draft of the platform and be 'pri-
vately heard
In a letter TO Emery Schwedtman asked:
What is the best way to influence the
drafting of this platform in the right d.
rection?"
Fight Upon Gardner.
More letters were introduced bearing on
the fight against Representative Gardner
of New Jersey.
Judge Speer. Gov. Fort and Mr.. Lewis
have not carried out their promises to
get us a strong candidate in that dis
trict," Mulhall wrote.
June 1, 1908, he wrote James 5. Sher-
man that he and Sherman's friends in
the organization were greatly pleased
that Sherman was to be candidate Tor
Vice President Sherman on June re-
piled:
Il shall be pleased to have the mem
bers of your association give to The nttie
boomlet such a forward push as they
conveniently can.
Other letters told Of plans to aid Rep
resentatiye Jenkins In Wisconsin.
EVERY effort in the world VIII De mace
for Jenkins," wrote Schwedtman A let
ter from Littlefield urging aid Tor Jen-
kins was read.
Reference to Platform.
Schwedtman wrote Mulhail June 2. 1Dos:
You will notice that our newspapers
state that the national platform is being
written at the present time at the White
House. You can rest assured that Theo-
dore Roosevelt. who Is still smarting
from the defeat he has received at the
hands of Congress and the people lately.
will embody all OF his policies IN sns