The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-21
BREWERS FREELY CONFESS
Financing Brisbane's Deal, but
DENY Disloyalty.

New York, Sept. 21.--C. w. Feigen-
span, president Of the United States
Brewers association, last night made
public letter to Senator King. chair
man of the senate subcommittee on
the judiciary, in which he frankly and
freely confessed" that the association
furnished Arthur Brisbane funds to
finance the purchase of the Washing
ton Times. He further admitted that
the association and the brewing inter-
ests generally have maintained lobby
lists in Washington and in various
state capitals, whose business 1t was
where possible to protect us and check
mate those representing the opposition
to our industry" He denied vigorous
ly, however, charges Of disloyalty or
pro -Germanism, both personally and on
behalf of the association, and asked
that he be permitted to appear before
the subcommittee for questioning
without limit" on all the charges in
volved in the communication regard
ing the purchase of the Washington
Times sent to Senator King by A.
Mitchell Palmer, alien property custo-
dian.
Declaring that for the last twenty-five
years an organization has existed with
the avowed purpose of utterly destroying
the brewing industry, and has spent dol
lars where we have been able to spend
pennies" Mr. Fiegenspan frankly con-
fessed" that the brewing industry gem
orally, sin common with every other
business. every other organization and
every other industry in the nation af-
fected by local. state or national legisia-
tion, has been represented at these legis-
yers of recognized ability and unques-
toned Integrity. but commonly referred
to as lobbyists. whose business 1t was to
attempt where possible to protect us and
checkmate those. representing the oppos'-
ton to our industry" He further
frankly and freely" admitted that the
brewers. ''in common with every other
and every other business In the
have tried to get before the pub
lie every fact that we felt fairly favored
the preservation of our business, even TO
the extent of supplying the finances for
the initial payment on the purchase Of
the Washington Times"
"Gratuitous Insult"
He declared. however. that the at
tempt through innucndo" to associate
the Times transaction with certain no.
torious pro German activities terminating
in the control of the New York Evening
Mail is q gratuitous insult, a dastardly
and outrageous libel and unworthy OF any
this American republic"
Unequivocally denying, both on his own
behalf and that of the brewing industry.
any charge against his loyalty, Mr.. Feig-
enspan said he wishes to fling the charges
back in the face of those who made them.
and offered to match his record with that
Of "any man, of high or low degree. In
this nation" He challenged any one to
show a better record. mot only OF loyalty
Of lip, often made easy by prosperity.
but of loyalty of sacrifice; loyalty in
great losses. loyalty in the hour of de-
struction of my very subsistence"
He declares he Is well within the
draft and is awaiting an opportunity
TO serve anywhere and at any time" He
said he had son and a brother who |
for army service Immediately |
after war was declared
He also declared he was a large pur-
chaser of liberty bonds and had given and
worked for the government beyond my |
rightfui means In comparison with many |
whose patriotism consists largely In