Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-07-09
CONGRESSMAN ACCUSED BY LOBBYIST
Former Agent of Manufacturers Association Makes Sensational
Allegations Regarding Methods of Lobby-Decares Many
Are Hred-s Called to Give Testimony.

Washington, June 30.-The senate
lobby investigating committee has sub
poenaed Martin M. Mulhall Of Balti-
more go appear before the committee
and give testimony. Mr.. Mulhall has
stated over his own signature that he
| was for years the active lobbyist and
field agent of the National Association
of Manufacturers. Further sensations
are expected.
The subpoena was ordered by Chair
I man Overman of the lobby investigat-
| ing committee after representations
had been made to him that Mr. Null
hall was willing and able to give the
committee important facts regarding
attempts to influence legislation, to
elect or defeat candidates for con-
gress and to control the makeup of
committees in congress.
Says congressman Were Paid.
| Direct charges of lobbying and of
congressman being hired and paid
were made in the statement made by
! Mr.. Mulhall, who purported to give
there is experiences as 'chief lobbyist
and field agent of the National Asso-
I citation of Manufacturers" between
| 1908 and 1912.
| In the statement, the forerunner of
several others, were given names of
| scores of present and former members
] of congress who, he alleges, were
"subservient" or who were defeated
for office by the association when they
failed to follow its beck and call.
Even pages of the house of repre-
sentatives were named as agents OF
the association in getting clandestine-
( ly information on pending legislation
that might be used.
The tale tells Of the loan of postal
| franks. charges the elimination of COM
mittee members in congress not con-
sidered favorable to the manufacture
ers, declares that the Taft tariff COM
mission was brought about by manu-
facturers to put off revision of the
| tariff, and adds that in his time of
service Mr.. Mulhall spent 100000 in
the aforementioned interests of the
manufacturers, as well as in bribing
labor leaders i'll breaking up strikes.
In includes mention of futile effort
to bride Samuel Gompers, president
Of the American Federation of Labor,
with $4,000.
Details an "Insiduous" Lobby.
MulhalIs statement endeavors to es-
tablish, among other things. the fol-
lowing:
The the National Association of
Manufacturers backs an "insiduous
lobby in Washington with 100000
members having $4,000, 100000;
That, while ostensibly nonpolitical
organization, it has had through the
National Council for Industrial De-
tense, virtual charge of tariff legisla-
ton in this cuontry, making and
breaking" public servants as suited
it's purpose. expending huge sums
therefor.
That it has bought and bribed union
officials in breaking up strikes.
That it has had the making of con-
gressional committees within its
power.
That the association was solely re-
sponsible for the Taft tariff commits
sion.
That congressman were hired out
right.
That great lobby staff was main
tanned.
That congressman were aided in
their campaigns if favorable to the
manufacturers.
That even ministers were used to
defeat labor unions.
Mr. Mulhall gives a list of names
of men prominent in public life who
dealt with him in the secret lobby
work in congress. He also designates
certain officials as having received
financial reward for their services to
the manufacturers, or for political
purposes while in Office. A long list
of names is also given of men whom
MuIhall claims were the lobbyists for
the association. Names of many pub
lie officials whose elections were
fought with money and influence by
the association, sometimes success
fully, are given in MulhalHs allega-
lions.
Mr. Mulhall's statement described
trips he said he made into half doz-
en- states with money and with orders
from the association to do everything
in his power to elect or defeat certain
candidates for Office.
Makes Second Statement.
In a further statement Colonel Null
hall cites, as an instance of the Sc
crecy with which the alleged lobby
worked. several letters bearing the
typewriter signature mo Sig" writ
ten without address and on plain
paper. These, the colonel asserts,
came from the secretary of the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers.
All the mo Sig letters contain
warnings to be careful against expos
ing the methods of the lobby. Colonel
Mulhall was warned against running
up a large expense account, because
eat the very best there is not going
to be enough money to go around"
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