The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-04
PLAN OF DOBLIN
TO MAKE MONEY
Charge That Representative Lessler
: Was Approached is Sustained, Think
the Majority Of the Committee,
Though the Minority
Holds Other
Fl wise.
tBy Associated Press J

WASHINGTON, FEB. 3-The House
Committee on Naval Affairs to-day re-
ported to the House its findings in the
matter OF the investigation of the Less
Ter bribery charges. minority report
signed by Representative kitchin. of
North Carolina; yandver, OF Missouri,
and Roberts, of Massachusetts, also was
submitted
On the final vote on the adoption OF
the report as whole, Representatives
kitchin. Mudd. Of Maryland and Rob
crts, of Massachusetts, voted present
Representative Nandiver, of Missouri,
voted in the negative. each giving an
explanation for SO voting.
There was desire on the part of
some Of tho members to make the find
ings more sweeping i'll some respects.
The majority report. after summarizing
the testimony given by Lessler and Dob
lin and the latter's rctraction, says:
"A witness sworn by the chairman.
as III this case, who states any material
matter which he does not believe to be
true before a committee OF the House
conducting an Investigation under au-
thorlty of the House. commits perjury,
and Is liable to punishment therefor
TILE FINDINGS.
( In conclusion, the report says:
Your committee has most carefully
heard and considered the testimony ta-
ken before it. and upon the same has
come to the following conclusions:
That the charges made by Mr.. Less
Ter that an attempt had been made to cor
~ T1yl I, AI1.,x
posed legislation is sustained by the COM
mittee, and such an attempt. in the opin-
!or of the committee. having been made
by one Philip Doblin. on his own initi-
ativt and responsibility, with the idea of
making money for himself If he should
fnd Mr. I,ess!er corruptly approacha BILE.
= That there Is no evidence to sus-
tain the charge Of an attempt by Lemuel
+. Quigg to corruptly influence a member
- Quig to corruply influence a member
Of the Committee on Naval Affairs re-
specting proposed legislation pending be-
f7re said committee and the public.
.. That there Is no evidence to sus-
tain the charge of an attempt by. the Hol-
land Submarine Boat Company or any of
Its agents to corruptly. influence a mcln-
ber- the Committee on Naval. Affairs
respecting proposed legislation before said
committee and the House.
IL ' ASN VI NiS lOte6Olilb We 'TeCONII1enQ
that the clerk of the committee be d-
rected to certify to the Attorney-G General
OF the United States copy of the testl-
at the hearing, with reffuest
that he take such action as the law and
the facts warrant"
BY vote Of nine to six the committee
decided against the proposition to author
ize add tional submarine torpedo boats.
MINORITY VIEW.
Tie minority report submits the con-
clusions Of the minority. the first OF
which is as follows:
IL That the charge that an attempt
was made to corruptly influence a mem-
Der of tho Committee on Naval Affairs
respecting proposed legislation pending
before the House. is not sustained"
Tho min ority differs with the majority
only in It's first conclusion. In other
respects the conclusions arc Identical.