Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-07-21
J.T. M'DERMOTT,
LOBBY INQUIRY
FIGURE, RESIGNS
Quits Congress Two Days Be-
fore Probable Action on
Probers' Report.
COL. MULHALL CHARGED
LOBBYISTS PAID HIM
Resignation Prevents Action on
Report Accusing Him of
Gross Improperly"
COL. MULHALL CHARGED
LOBBYISTS PAID HIM
specIaI 70 the Erenlnr STAR.

Special TO the Evening Star.
WASHINGTON, July 21.-James T.
McDerinott, of Illinois, today on the
floor of the House resigned as MEM
Der of Congress. In a prepared state
ment read in the House McDermott
denied charges of misconduct in the
lobby case.
McDermott was charged by Colonel
Mulhall, of the National Manufacture
ers' Association, with being paid by
lobbyists. His resignation from the
House today came just two days be-
fore probable action on the report of
the investigating committee. Chair
man Floyd planned to ask for con-
s1deration of a resolution censuring
him Thursday,
Representative Nelson proposed a
light for McDermott's expulsion.
Avcrts Action by House.
BY resigning today McDermott dis
poses of any action by the House on
the lobby charges against him. Nc
Dermott came from the stock yards
district of Chicago. He Is a candi-
date for reelection.
The Floyd committee found Nc
Dermott guilty of gross impro-
prieties." Use OF his room by agents
VI tHo N. "A. M, Was CIdTBcu.
McDermott's resignation came as a
sensation Immediately after the
House had assembled he rose to a
question of personal privilege and
Offered it from the floor, declaring he
would appeal his case to the people
of the fourth district of illinois,"
He said he had already forwarded
his resignation to Governor Dunno
and had announced himself as a can
didate for reelection. He presented
p letter to the speaker announcing his
resignation
Makes Statement.
Unfortunately" he said, Il came
to this House q poor man; Fortunate
ly fer myself, however, taking into
consideration the character Of the
charges made against me, leave this
House poor man. / have been COM
PEELED during my services as mem
Der OF this House to borrow money
from my friends. It so happened that
asterward they became opponents Of
legislati ton which passed this House
affecting their business aslz.paWn>
brokers and as liquor dealers.
1t IS true have not had .the
educational training and perhaps the
social training and advantages that
other members of this House may
boast. 1 have been invited to many
places in Chicago and elsewhere that
perhaps some members think above
my social station, but / have pre-
ferred to associate with the people
who sent me to Congress, and when
I am at home in Chicago l am to
be found at my accustomed haunts
and among my old companions, asso-
ciating with the men and boys In
the great union stock yards"
Mulhall charged that McDermott
had permitted him to use his con-
gressional frank for circulating mat
ter for the manufacturers, and that
McDermott had claimed that he had
received $500 from local pawn brol-
ers to work against the Federal loan
shark law and $1,000 campaign con-
tribution from Chicago brewers as
sociatlon. McDermott's defense was
that money received from the pawn
brokers was in the nature of per-
sonal loans and that the brewers had
contributed only $500 out of personal
friendship. He also denied a charge
by Mulhall that he had forged Har-
old F. McCormick's name to check
for $3.50.