New-York tribune., 1903-02-04
DOBLIN ALONE TO BLAME.
SO COIlfTTTEE FINDS.
Neither Qmgg Nor Holland Boat
COupnpy Tried to Br1be LeSSler.

WASHINGTON.
Naval Affairs to-day reported TO the House its
findings in the matter of the investigation Of
the Lessler bribery charges minority re-
port signed by Representatives Kitchen CDem-,
y c. Tandiver Dem. MOI and Roberts CRep..
Mass also was submitted
The full committee on converting to-day TOOK
up the report submitted by the subcommittee
Of which Mr. Foss was chairman, which had
been charged with the preparation Of findings
for the committee. TWO hours were given to
its consideration and there much discus
sion as 10 the form different findings should
take on the final vote on the adoption Of the
report as a whole, Representatives Kitchen
11udd and Roberts voted present. Representa~
tive Vandiver voted in the negative. each Civ
ing an explanation for voting.
REPORT OF THE MAJORITY.
There was a desire on the part of some Of
the members 10 make the findings more sweep
t1sg in some respects. The majority report, after
reciting The resolution directing the Naval Af-
fairs Committee TO Investigate the charges Of
bribery, says:
At meeting Of the Committee on Naval At
fairs held on January 20. 1903 during the con
LESSER. a member Of the committee. charged
that ne had been corrupty approached for the
purpose Of influencing his action respecting pro
posed legislation providing for the purchase OF
Holland submarine torpedo boats.
The committee Immediately appointed SUD
committee 10 make a preliminary investigation
OF Nr Icsst.r's charge. The following day
Philip Dobliu. of New-YoTk. appeared before the
subcommittee and confessed that he had SO
APPROACHED Mr.. Lessler. The substance of this
statement having been reported the following
dax ia the full committee the chairman di
rected 10 present the House and procure the
adoption OF the resolution above set out In
compliance with the direction and authority OF
said resolution, your committee proceeded al
once to take testimony and examine such wit
nezses as were believed TO have knowledge of the
subject of inquiry. That testimony IS SCI ouI
IN fun in the appendix 10 TINS report ana, III
view Of ;he fact that your committee in this
report makes an explicit finding Of its conclu-
siors. il becomes unnecessary to quote from or
10 comment upon the evidence.
Mr. IcSsler in his testimony before the COM
i1littee stated that Philip Dobln had come to him
some weeks ago. and had said that Mr.. Lemuel
e ouigg had said TO him, Doblin, that there
was $1,000 in it If Lessler could he brought
10 support the proposition to buy more Hoi-
This statement in substance Doblin corroh
Grated when he first testified before the full
committee. stating that Mr.. Quigg had said
10 him that if LESSER could be brought TO vote
FOR more Holland boats there would be 5000
in it and that he (Quigg) added, L think L
can make q thousand for you"
Subsequently Dohlin again went on the stand
and refrscted this statement declaring that Mr..
t9uiEg had never suggested money to him. and
thar he Doblinl had not told Lessler that Quigg
had made such q proposal TO him and that ne
had made his first statement at the request OF
LESSER and for his protection
The report then cites Section $50 of the
Revised Statutes. which makes il an offence
punishable bv fine or Imprisonment for any
rerson 70 make any corrupt proposal TO any
member Of either house Of Congress; also Sec
-io-7 = 500 of the Revised Statutes relating TO
The giving Of false testimony. The report con-
tinues:
Witness sworn by the chairman as in this
oaee who states any material matter which
he does not believe 10 be true before a com
,ri,tee q the House conducting an Investigation
1I-6e- authority Of the House commits perjury.
erd is 1ia hle 10 punishment therefor under Sec
tion 5.322
In conclusion the report says;
vo,,, Committee has most carefully heard and
considered the testimony taken hefore II ara
rpor the same has come TO the tollo"ihe con
FirstEThat the charge made by Mr.. LESSER
that an attempt had been MADE TO cort upty ihliu
eroe his action respecting proposed legislation IS
eustsined Fv the evidence. such attempt. II tne
,r,irior of flt. committee. having been mace py
Philip Dobn on ms own ,,1airag ,,olv
for himself If he should find Mr. LESSER ocr-
ruptiy approe bic. ....
second-That there is no evidence To sustain sustain
the charge of an attempt by Lemuel + Qulss
70 oorruptly influence a member OF the CoiIl
,nf4tee on Naval Affairs respecting proposed
legislstion pending before said committee ana
the House.
Thfrd-That there is no evidence TO sustain
marine Boat Company, any OF It's agents 10
corr,lptlv influence q member Of the committee
on Naval Affairs respecting proposed ieglsia-
-for before said committee and the House.
In view If the foregoing. We recommend tbat
the clerk Of the committee be directed 10 certfy
70 the Attorney General Of the United states d
COPY Of the testimony taken at the nearing
with request that he take such action as the
Law and the facts warrant
THINK LESSLER'S CHARGE NOT SUS-
TANNED.
The minority report, after reciting that those
signing il are unable to agree 70 all the con-
clusions Of the ajority, says
On the 20th day Of January, 1903 the Hon
Montague Lesser stated TO the Committee on
ROYAL BLUE TOURS TO WASHINGTON.