Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-28
TO DRAW UP A REPORT
SUBCOMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE
LESSLER CASE.
Session Of the House Committee on
Naval Affairs Yesterday After
noon-Mr. Roberts Statement.

The House committee on naval affairs
yesterday concluded the taking Of testi-
mony in the investigation of the charge
made by Representative Lessler that cor
rupt attempt had been made to influence
his vote in that committee on the PROPOSE
ton to purchase submarine torpedo boats.
An executive session was held by the
committee at the conclusion of the after
noon session, and consideration was given
to the findings the committee would report
to the House. After several resolutions
had been proposed and discussion had been
had as to the wording of report sub
committee, consisting Of Representatives
Foss Un.), Dayton CIV. Va.), Tayler (Ohio).
Meyer Ua.) and Kitchin IN. c., was ap-
pointed to draw up set of findings to be
submitted to the full committee for its final
action.
Upon reassembling at 2:3O pm Attorney
Nicoll on behalf of eX-Representative
Quigg. submitted to the committee that in
view of the testimony Mr.. Quigg Is en-
titled to complete vindication at the hands
of the committee.
Mr.. Roberts Statement
Mr.. Roberts announced that before going
into executive session he desired to make
statement in which he said: "Mr. Chair
man, 1 have learned during the recess that
a wrong impression has gone out arising
from the incident alluded to by Mr.. LESSER
In his examination Of a meeting he had
with me in Statuary Hall. desire now to
state fully my recollection Of the entire
transaction. not with any intent or purpose
Of injuring Mr.. Lessler or to prejudicing
him in the minds Of the committee. but
merely that 1t should be in the record. 1t
was the forenoon of January 81. which was
last Wednesday, that the meeting took
place. l was going through Statuary Hall
on the way to my committee room, and met
Mr.. Lessler going in the opposite direction.
ne spoke to me and said: Can't we stop
this thing? My God, l cannot stand 1t; it
Is killing me- The thing he referred to was
the proposed investigation which we had
authorized to be made by the subcommittee.
said to him that the investigation was not
of my seeking, and had no benefit to gain
by pressing it. So far as 1 personally was
concerned did not care whether it went
ON or stopped, that there were other par
ties beside myself in this matter The state
ment had gone out to the country in the
press that the Holland Submarine Boat
Company had attempted to influence his
action by the offer of money and 1 did not
know whether the Holland people would be
willing to have the thing smothered: that
that phase of the question would have to
be considered.
MI LESSER thereupon volunteered, with
out any suggestion from nett came from
him-that he would make anv statement 70
garding the matter that was Thought to he
fa1r and reasonable. He said that when he
maze MS nrst statement in the committee
ne did not intend to injure the Holland peo-
pie ana l remarked to him that if he did
not intend to 1njure these people the only
thing he could do as an honest and upright
gentleman was to make some such state
ment, and he said If I would have one pre-
pared he would sign 1t. He said further
would ION co.
to be published l said to him did not sup
pose the Holland people would care to pub
nsh any such statement; that l did not
think they would make any use Of 1t what
ever unless their interests were to be jeop-
ardized by the use of his original state
ment and then in self defense they would
be obliged to publish any statement he
Nigh make And upon that understanding
he authorized me to make the statement I
then said to him. When your statement was
made in the full committee certain members
OF the committee who had been opposed to
submarine legislation had seized upon the
sta tement and insisted upon an investiga-
ton / said I don't believe those gentle
men will STOP Mr.. Lessler said L believe
can fix them. I believe 1 can arrange it
all right He then went on to make still
another statement to me as to what he
would do personally when the Holland SUBJ
marine proposition came to vote in the
committee.
II then left him. I had prepared a state
Lessler again that day until shortly after
the House met. Mr.. LESSER came by with
his overcoat on and hat in his hand and
said to me: That thing told you could be
arranged has been fixed This was on We'd
nesday when the subcommittee l suppose,
was investigating the matter with an idea
on the following day of presenting some re-
port to the full committee. The statement
had prepared l submitted to Mr.. LESSER
In this committee room next morning. 1t
was the morning when the subcommittee
was to report to the full committee, and 1
handed Mr.. Lessler the paper
At this point Mr.. Roberts produced the
letter which was to the effect that it was
not Mr.. Lessler's intention to connect the
Holland company directly or indirectly with
an offer Of a bride
because it was addressed to the Holland
Mr.. Roberts Questioned.
Mr.. Wheeler then Intercepted Mr. Rob-
erts. asking: When LESSER first approach
he had said to any of the officers or agents
Of the torpedo boat company?
Yes, 1 did," replied Mr.. Roberts.
@. Who did you tell it tor
A ITO Mr.. Frost"
Q. Anybody else?"
A. NO"
O. Where did you see Mr. Frost?"
A. 81 did not see him.
@. did you communicate with him in
writing?'
A. mo"
@. ''How did you tell him?"
A. "By telephone"
@. Where did you get him by tele-
phone?"
A. ''At the Office Of the Holland Torpedo
Company. in Washington"
Q. did he subsequently see you?"
A. II saw him, 1 think, that evening"
Q."Where did you see hinn?"
A. Il think 1 saw him at their office"
Q. did you go there of your own vo-
iition or by invitat,on?"
A. "Of my own volition"
Q. WAS that the first time you had
ever been there?"
A. "Oh! no."
Q. How many times had you been there
since this investigation began?'
A. Possibly two or three times"
Q. who else was present?'
A. Nobody"
@. "Who is Mr.. Frost?"
A. II do not know. except that he is con-
nected with the Holland company in some
capa city"
Q. us he not one of the governing off,
cers?"
A. 1T think SOL
Frost's Officer"
A. mo sir"