The Washington times., 1922-04-24
CON trolls
DIS 7 R|CT
D F F F|CEES
is CLA | NJ
Charges Made in House in Con-
nection With Pawn
brokers Bill.

Congressman Ben johnson, of
Kentucky, former chairman of the
House District Committee, created
a sensation in the House this after
noon when he made serious charges
against the Commissioners pawn
brokers' bill.
The Congressman assailed the
Monday Evening Club, declaring
It had been taken advantage of by
opponents of the pawnbrokers' bill
now before the House.
.ss- Asssils Monday ssvening Club. =,
He further charged that the Mon
day Evening Club controlled the
appointment of Commissioners and
other District government officials.
william II. Baldwin, who has
been interested in the pawnbrokers
bill, was characterized as a lobby
ist," and Johnson was vigorous in
his declaration that Baldwin was
lobbying for a certain firm in
Washington.
johnson further charged that in
the prosecution of George ID. Horn
ing. former pawnbroker in this
city. Judge Mullowney, of the police
court. and Percy Marshall, assist
ant corporation counsel for the Dis
trict, pre-arranged the disposition
of the case.
Horning was convicted.
II never heard anything to equal
It," declared one member OF the
House as johnson was speaking.
Dal nd fhn MnndnV evening
Club were the center of the attacks
by Congressman Johnson. He was
vigorous in his denunciation Of the
activities OF Baldwin and this club
"You members of Congress have
been receiving propaganda from a
citizens committee urging you to
support the Commissioners bill, "
Johnson declared. There is no such
committee. II is Baldwin, and Bald
win alone. who is sending out this
propaganda,
BALDWIN is protecting a Mr..
Exnicios,' who is operating money
lending shop in violation Of the law.
baldwin is attempting to prevent
Mr.. Exnicios' firm from competi-
ton"
Congressman johnson said he had
investigated Baldwin and that up
TO a number of years ago, when
Baldwin lived in Ohio, the man was
highly respected citizen"
But since then, ! regret to say,
he has fallen into corruption in
Washington" Johnson said.
Interest Philanthropic."
johnson brought out before the
House that Baldwin claimed his in
terest in the Commissioners pawn
AVOlyar1t hill NtIT-alU nhila n
thropic. He said Baldwin testified
before the District Committee that
he was paying a young woman 500
a month as his secretary.
"All he's doing Is protecting Ex-
enecios and his crowd" declared
johnson.
johnson reviewed the history of
the case of Horning, convicted for
violating the present pawnbrokers'
law. He brought out that Horning
was tried three times and convicted
twice. He said the last conviction
came through a warrant instigated
by Baldwin.
But did Mr.. Baldwin attempt to
prosecute Mr.. Exenecios, who was
also violating the law?" asked John
son. mo, he didn't. All he want
ed to do was put Horning out of the
OlbulCl anu HldfNe an open Ilelu TOT
Exenecios' concern"
johnson charted that when Horn
ing was arrested Judge Mullowny
and Corporation Counsel Marshall
conferred on the case and made an
arrangement as to what should be
done about the case, He intimated
that conference was instigated by
Baldwin.
Johnson further charged that ef.
SNrts by members of the police de-
partment, Lieut.. Charles Evans in
particular, who is now assistant
superintendent of police, to prose
cute Exenecios were fruitless.
Lieutenant Evans demand met
deaf ears" declared johnson. THE
District corporation counsel's office
would not prosecute EXnicios.
although one of the assistant cor.
poration counsels, Mr.. Stephens.
admitted Exenecios was, violating
the law.