Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-30
National Capital is Start
led by Inside Govern
ment Expose.
BACKS WILSON CHARGE
Congressman and Senators
Named as Servants of Man
ufaCturerS' Association.

Washington, d. G., June 30-A /
searching investigation Of the socaIled |
underground system at the capitol,
not only by the senate lobby com |
mittee, but by a select committee of
the house also, promises to be the
first result Of the sensational charges |
by Martin NJ Mulhall, who claims to
have been general field lobbyist for
the National Association OF Manufac-
turers.
MulhalIs startling allegations in
Sunday's Chicago Tribune that repre-
sentatives, senators and high officials
of the government had been reached"
or Influenced" that the lobby" con-
Quoted its operations from a room in
the capitol, paid money to employees
there, took an active hand in making
up committees, and went out actively
IN political campaigns to defeat con-
gressn.en who opposed legislation the
lobby" waEted, have thrown congress
sional circles int an uproa-.
CLARK CONFIRMS STORY.
Congressman named in Mulhall's
charges are issuing statements, some
denouncing the allegations as ma
lcious lies" Speaker Clark issued
statement confirming the charge that
the lobby had worked for his defeat
Many congressman mentioned, how
ever, who feel that they have been
brought in without any specific
charge against them, declare they
will not be satisfied with the sepata
lobby Committees investigation alone,
but will insist upon a select commit
tee of the house to sift charges.
The senate committee will lose no
time. A subpoena has already been
served on Mulhall and is to be fol-
lowed by others for men named in
the published statements. Mulhalls
statement was almost the sole topic
of discussion in official circles today.
DISCUSSED BY WILSON.
President Wilson discussed the Null
hall charges briefly with Washington
correspondents, and said he believed
the lobby on tariff legislation had
ceased to "embarrass anybody but it
self" When the president made the
first declaration that a numerous and
insidious lobby" was operating in
Washington, he had no idea such
charges as made by Mulhall would be
brought out, but he added he was in
favor of investigating all charges.
- The president said the Mulhall
charges was called TO his attention
just before their publication. 1t was
learned today that Senator Overman
called his committee together for a
short session today. A full investiga-
tion of the Mulhall charges was
agreed upon. 1t was decided that no
meeting of the committee would be
held until July s. Charges of Chair
man Lovett of the Union Pacific board
that certain men are impersonating g
congressman are TO be first taken up.
and the Mulhal charges will follow.
DETAILS An ~INsIDIOUs LOBBY"
MuIhaITs statement endeavors 10 es-
tabiish. among other things, the fol
lowing:
That the National Association OF
Manufacturers backs an "insidious
lobby" in Washington with 100000
; members having $1O,OO0.0 900, 900;
} That while ostensihly a nonpolitical
\ organization. It has had, through the
Y fense, virtual charge Of tariff legisla
Z tion in this country. making and
i breaking" public servants as suited its
A purpose, expending huge sums there
for.
That IT has bought and bribed union
r officials in breaking up strikes.
n That it has had the making of con
n Eressional committees within its pow
er.
That sle association was solely re
4 sponsible for the Taft tariff commits
sion.
That congressman we're hired out
right
That a great lobby staff was main
~ tanned.
h That congressman were aided II
ol their campaigns II favorable TO the
y manufacturers.
9r That even ministers were used Il
>. defeat labor unions.
Among others Mr.. Mulhall mentions
q the following as men of national rep
Doi utation who dealt with him in hi
n secret lobby work in congress:
;coG NAMES HIS "AIDs IN CONGRESS-
a James s. Sherman, vice president
les. now deceased.
,of Senator Nelson of Minnesota.
\ Former Senator Foraker OF Ohio.
"a. Former Representatives James E
al Tawney and J. Adam Bede OF Min
Pssota-
(coutinued on Page Twelyel