Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-27
counts for this change of testimony on the

counts for this change of testimony on the
part Of Doblin?"
81 know of no reason.
Asked on crosS-examination as TO now
he came to make his statement to the COM
mittee as to the alleged 5000 proposition,
Mr. Lessler replied 1T came right out
Answering Mr.. Meyer as to any obligaton
he might have been under to Doblin, Mr..
Lessler said: 'Doblin has been In political
life about twenty years. He has been a
very useful man to a great number OF men,
My Judgment is that most OF them nave
simply used him and that when that use
had been through they threw MIN up IKE
dishrag.
Mr. Van6iver-"Did you think charge
of that nature could be made IN the pres
ence of seventeen members of this com
mittee and three clerks and others standing
around and no investigation follow!
II did not think of the subject OF invesu-
cation at all.
Didn't you express willingness to prac-
tically abandon the charger
II certainly expressed a feeling and de-
sire that 1 would like to have the matter
dropped"
Answering Mr.. Tate he explained that tne
kilograms sent to Mrs. Doblin were sent
in his name because he had frank
Interview With Mr.. Roberts.
On Characterization by Mr.. Nicon Mr..
Lesser said: IT met Mr.. Roberts In stat
uary hall and said to him as he was the
one most interested in the proposition tha1
I would sign a statement. and MI Rooeras
brought a letter to me addressed to the
Holland company"
Mr.. Roberts is a member Of the House
naval affairs committee.
Mr. Wheeler-"Have you got 1t
NO. sir; 1 said would not sign It.
Mr.. Wheeler-"Was it on torpedo boat
paper or congressional note paper?'
1T was on blank paper. 1 haG said To
hall hot
statement l never had anything 10 90
with the Holland Torpedo Boat compass
In any form shape. MIR. Roberts prousn.
me the letter and 1 declined to sign II
when I saw it was addressed to the Hoi-
land Torpedo Boat Company.
Did you read it,?
NO"
Mr.. Nicoll-"was that statement to Me-
Roberts voluntary on your part!
Entirely voluntary.
At 1920 the committee went into execu-
tive session. but before the vote was put
Mr. Vandiver argued for an open consid-
Grafton of the matter saying: Il for one
have been in favor of concluding this In
vestigation publicly. / think the nature or
the evidence here submitted ana tne
charges made require public consideration
and public comment and / prefer to say
what have to say about it publicly"
Mr. kitchin voted with MI Nandiver
against an executive session.
After being in executive session short
time the doors were again opened, and Mr..
Roberts. referring to the letter spoken Of
by Mr.. Lessler, said: Il think certain
members of the committee drew the wrong
Inference from the actual condition Of at
fairs that existed. Now. 1 want to say
that have no wish to make any statement
voluntarily that will reflect on any MEM
Der OF the committee In any shape or man.
ner, but if any member thinks there was
anything improper on my part during the
course of that interview or anything that
followed l am perfectly willing to answer
all questions he wishes 10 ask
No questions being asked of Mr.. Roberts,
the committee again went into executive
session but at l o'clock resumed open ses-
sion. when Harry Schreier, an uncle of
Representative Lessler, was called as
witness
The witness then told of conversation
he said he had with Doblin during the holt
days, when he (Doblin) and Lessler were
together, wherein. he testified, Doblin re-
lated to him a conversation which he
Ooblin) alleged he had with Mr.. Quigg
relative to submarine boats, in which he
attributed statements to Doblin which the
latter has since made.
At 1:20 the committee took recess until
2:20 o'clock.