The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-01-30

Washington, January 26.-Phll1p
Dobln who testified before the house
committee on naval affairs Saturday
that he had approached Representa-
tive Lessler with an offer of money to
influence his vote on the submarine
boat bill, and who made the further
statement that he had been told there
might be $1,000 in it for him. made the
astounding admission before that COM
mittee today that he had made state
ments Saturday which were not true
and that he wanted to retract his
statement that Mr.. Quigg had ten
dered a bribe to him. The statement
came without any previous warning
that Doblin intended making any such
retraction. Members of the committee
looked at one another ip-amazement
as Doblin went on with his statement.
Gustavus Rogers, an attorney, arose
in the committee room after the first
witness had left the stand this morn
ing and said he appeared for Mr..
Doblin. who had stated to him that
he Doblin) had made some state
ments Saturday which were true and
some which were false, and held in
his hand statement to which Mr..
DOblin had sworn. The committee was
unanimous in agreeing that Doblin ap-
pear in person forthwith. He was
called and made specific denial of all
statements he had previously made
wherein he alleged attempts at brib-
cry. He was rigidly cross-examined
by practically every member of the
committee and pressed vigorously for
explanation of his action of today, but
persisted that he was telling the truth
today and adhered to his denials.
Doblin told the committee that he
Lessler and told that he must stand
for Lessler's story about the bribery.
Doblin said he was given a newspaper
account of the story to familiariZe
himself with the sIc:ement. Subse-
quently Doblin was taken before the
subcommittee, where, thinking he
was in the hands of friend, and that
he would back up Lessler and vindi-
cate him and that everything would
come out all right, he admitted in re-
sponse to a question that it was Quigg
who said there was $4,000 in it for
Lessler and $1,000 for himself. Doblin
then returned to New York and when
he got home he received a telegram
from LesSler saying:
statement all right. Have no fear"
A day or two later. Doblin appeared
before the full committee. AS to his
testimony then Doblin said:
1t was a question Of whether I was
going to subStantiate myself before a
committee of friends and Lessler. or
whether [ was then and there going to
make Lesslers statement appear un-
true. / decided with myself that
would Just make my same statement
as to that which l gave before the
subcommittee, l made it and 1 now
retract every word in which I said
that Qujgg rendered me any bribe in
any way"
He stated that after giving mis- first
testimony he had gone down to the
station with Mr.. Lessler who had ad-
dressed the following telegram to his
wife: Phil examined. Substantiates
story in every way. He is all right"
Examined by Mr.. Taylor. Doblin
said he had made no improper pro-
posal of any kind to Lessler and that
Lesslers statement that Doblin had
mentioned $4,000 to him was false
Doblin said he knew nothing Of the
law Furnishing perjury, but accepted
Lessler's assurances that everything
would come out all right. Doblin was
| questioned with a view to developing
| what caused him to come to Washing
| ton and make this retra ction. He told
| of consulting a lawyer and of his decis-
| ion to make his statement on his law
! yer's advice and of making an affi-
| davit-the affidavit Mr.. Rogers sought
| to offer when the committee decided
! to have Doblin take the stand and
| personally make his statement.
Mr.. Nicoll, Mr.. Quigg's attorney,
| asked: Did you consider yourself un-
| der such deep obligation that you
were willing to do that for him?"
| Yes sr''
Did you go back to New York salts
fed that you had rendered him SUBJ
| stantial service?"
He SO told me-he said il was all
right"
Delaney Nicoll, for Mr. Quigg then
/ said: II consider that the wickedest
| and foulest plot against the integrity
| of my client. former member of the
| house, has been revealed in this COM
mittee today and 1 want to prove It
| here. entailng consequences which
| every one Of US must see must happen
| and I want to probe it TO the bottom" 4"
| Mr.. Rogers then questioned Doblin
! and brought out 4 statement from him
| that no one had sent Doblin to him
| (ROgerS.)
| Witness said that no one had ex-
| planned to him that sworn testimony
before a committee of congress was
| the same as before a court of justice.
When Doblin had left the stand, the
| committees programme which con-
| templated calling on DR.. w. r. Kerr
! to the stand was abandoned and it
| went into secret session. Some of the
| members in view of the remarkable
! developments favored dropping the in
vestigation, but others urged that it
| be continued 1t was understood that
| Mr. Lessler asked that he be permit
/ ted to make a statement and said that
| he had another witness he would call
| whereupon the committee decided to
| meet again at 10:30 tomorrow.
| Representative Lessler was present
In the committee when Doblin gave