The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-23
Mr.. QUIGG IS NAMED
He Was One of the Men Who
Wanted to Get Lesslers.
Vote.
Investigation Begun by the House
of the Charge of Bribery
g. Made Recently.

: Washington, Jan. 23.-The house COM
mittee on naval affairs this morning be-
gan the investigation authorized by the
house as a result of the statements made
by Representative. Lessler to the COM
mittee that he had been approached with
an offer of money to influence his vote in
the committee. The committee first
went into executive session.
At 11:l0 the doors were opened and
Chairman Foss announced the purpose
Of the meeting, reading the resolution
adopted by the house yesterday. Mr.
Foss first called Representative LESSER,
who was sworn.
Mr.. Taylor OF the committee, ques-
toned Mr. Lessler, who stated that he
marine torpedo boats Mr.. %Lessler iden-
titled Philip Doblin, : and told of a con-
yersation he had had with him.: T.:
Mr.. Lessler said Mr.. Doblin came to him
one morning and asked if the Holland
submarine torpedo boat proposition would
again come before the house. Il said
1 supposed so. He asked if I was still
opposed to it, and I said I was
Mr. Lessler testified that Doblin said
he had been sent for by Mr.. Quigg and
Mr.. Quigg had told him there was $4,000
in it if he Lessler) could be brought
to the other side.
Mr.. Lessler said he said there must
be no further talk on that proposition.
Mr.. LESSER. then said that Dobltn sug-
gested that Mr.. Quigg was a man of
power and influence and "that if I wanted
to come back here would be aiding my"
self by doing him this favor
Mr.. LESSER then told of a conversation
he said he had with Mr.. Quigg at the
latter's office, 100 Broadway, New York.
He then said that before the opening
of congress or during the holiday recess,
Mr.. Quigg telephoned that he wanted to
see him. II told him to come over, and
he came to my office within an hour. -
Mr.. Lessler then said he told Mr.. Quigg
money. In answer to questions, he said
Mr. Quigg had not mentioned torpedo
boats, but added:
IT had no other business with Mr..
Quigg and inferred that it was on this
account that he came to see me-
Mr.. LESSER told Of a converse ton he
had with John McCullagh, superintendent
Of elections in New York, at his hote
in Washington. Mr.. McCullagh, he said
York who could elect him or defeat him
and that they wanted him to support
the measure.
Mr.. Lessler said he told Mr.. McCul
lagh that he would not do it.
Mr. Lessler said that at the time O.
| the conversation with Doblin the latte
was a deputy in Mr.. McCullagh's office
He said that Doblin got some mail IN hi
| (Lessler's) office and had the freedom
of his office. He said, also, that Dobli1
was an ardent and faithful politica
friend. and he Gessler) felt under obi
cations to him. He did not know excep
through the newspapers that Doblin hal
been ordered off the floor Of the hous
at Albany. 49,
Asked what were the political relation
between Mr.. Quigg and Mr., McCullagh
Mr. Lessler explained the present posi-
lions held by the two men. He knew o
no relations except that Mr.. Quigg wa
probably one of those who advised Nc
Cullagh's appointment.