The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-24
TESTIMONY
 OF LESSLER Says He Was Approached
 by |. E. Quigg. LATTER MADE STATEMENT Says He Did Not Attempt to Bribe Congressman. The Hearing Is Adjourned in ordsr That the Presence Of Philip
 Doblin May Be ob-
 tainsd.
LATTER MADE STATEMENT

Washington. Jan. 2s.-The House Com mittee on Naval Affairs began the lnvss- tigation authorized by the House in con- sequence of the charges made by Repre- sentative Lessler of New York during recent session of the commitse on Naval Affairs that he had been approached with an cfEer of money for his vote in com mittee in favor of the construction of submarine torpedo boats.
 A brief session was held prior to the opening of the inquiry at which the meth ca of procedure was outlined.
 Among those present during the hsar- ing today, aside from the committees ana press representatives. were ex-serzator j. M- Thurston. who appeared as counsel for the Holland Torpedo Boat Company: Lemuel E. ouigg. formerly member os the House from New York: ex-senstor Eppa Hunton and Delaney Nicoll. Eli attorney from New York.
 Representative Lessler was the frst witness and his examination occupied the greater part of the days ssssion. Iii his testimony he staled that an exoft had been made by former ccnsrsssinan Quigg of New York to influence his vdts on the matter and that Philip DobEin. personal friend, had acted at first as Mir Quiggs emsary.
 John MeCullagh Implicated.
 He also stated that John McCullagh, Superintendent of Elections In New York. tried to get him to vote for the constfuc- tion of the torpedo boats.
 Only two other witnesses were heard during the day. F. D. znn. Mr. Iseeslefa secretary. gave evidence confirming soma of Mir. Lessler's testimony and former Senator Eppa Hunton of vlrRimia, epaK. sel for the Holland Company, stated that he had never authorized any one to mako proposals to Mir. rsassIer
 Former Representative Lenuel N. Quigg. who was present from the opsn- ing addressed the committae and said that in view of the fact that hts name had been brought into this matter he would like to be heard at the earliest moment
 The committee went into executive ses- sion at 1 o'clock and decided to send a summons to Mr. Doblin to appear be- fore the committee to which time an ad- 1ournment was taken.
 Lemuel E. Quigg made the folIowfn9 statement tonight with reference of the testimony before the House Naval Af- fairs Committee by Representative Less Ter;
 Mr. ouigg's Statement.
 T have no interest whatsoever and nev- CT had an interest in the Holland Tor pedo boat, nor in any of the companies organized to promote it. Nor am I nor was ever in any way interested In ob- taining pending or other legislation in anGv. -kA1N A A. friend, whose name will give to the committee, I consented to speak with Mr. Lessler in advocacy of the boat was visited by Philip Doblin. who I knew to be Mir. LeSsler's personal friend I made no other request of Doblin than he should let me know when Mfr. LessIer was in town and in his office in order that I might see him. Subsequently Dobliu called at my office again and told me that Lessier was in his ofiace. and I called there accordingly
 ''AAr. Lessler. at his oflce, did not open the conversation by saying that. of course, there could be no talk about mon ey. He did not say at this or at any other time during the conversation, nor was there any talk about money except in his own deciamations against the methods to which he said the company was resorting.
 NAr. 4oS&leE was Eol1bS.
 ''It is very true. however that he did not mention to me any prior converse ton between him and Doblin. He re- ceived me politely and in friendly way. and it was I who introduced the subject Of the Holland torpedo boat.
 Mir. Lessler promptly announced his opposition to the pending appropriation, and stated with great detail why. in his own opinion, the Holland bill should not be passed. did not feel well enough in- formed about the merits of the case to discuss them with him. and told him had no request to make, thinking my duty had been performed. I did not mention to MT. Lessler the name of the gentlemen who had requested me to talk with him or to say more on that subject than that he was a friend whom should like to oblige. As a matter of fact. he was not General Eppa Hunton or any Mr. Hunter UT any person of similar name. never said anything of that sort to Mir. Lessler Subsequent to this conversation between Mr. Lessler and me. Doblin called twice at my office urging me to visit Lessler
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