The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-27
DOBL|N ADMITS
 TELLING LIES Says His Statements About Less Ter Bribery Were UntIue WANTED TO EXTRACT THEM 
Though RigldIy cross-Examlned By Members of Committee He ln- sisted That Lessler Was
 Not Offered Money.

Washington, January 26.-Phillip Doblin, who testified before the house committee on naval affairs Saturday that he had | approached Representative Lessler of | New York with an offer of money to in- | fuence his vote on the submarine boat bill and who made the further state ment that he had been told there might | be 5000 in it for him. made the astound- ing statement before that committee to- day that he made statements Saturday which were not true and that he wanted to retract his statement that Mir. Quigg had rendered a bribe to him.
 The statement came without any pre- vious warning that Doblin intended mak- ing any such retraction. Members of the committee looked at one another in amazement as Doblin went on with his statement
 Gustavus Rogers. an attorney, was in the committee room after the first wit ness had left the stand this morning and said he appeared for MT. Doblin, who had stated to him that he (Doblin) had made some statements Saturday which were true and some which were false. and had In Jhis hand statement to which MT. Doblin had sworn.
 MT. Rogers said he had known MT. Lessler "and prized his friendship high l ly," and added, nothing l will Say is intended as reflection upon MT. Lessler l am simply carrying out my duty as attorney for Doblin and he is here in the interests of justice for the offense which he thinks he has committed against MT. Quigg."
 Wanted the Truth.
 MT. Taylor of the committee Insisted that he wanted the truth, and that 1t could not be obtained from the lips of counsel. "If an injustice has been done" said MT. Taylor, 'let Us see that We wipe 1t out at the first DO, sible moment, and if Doblin has said anything that is unfair to MT. Quigg, let him be swift to take that chair. +>t''t.t
 Don't let us wait for some counsel to 1' say something here which Is in the least degree a work of superorgation. I de- | mand that Dobnn take the stand" |" | MT. Taylor's demand was upheld by the other members of the committee and Mir. Rogers assented to the decision that Dop- | lin take the stand in person.
 Previous to MT. Rogers statement and | the committees decision to call Doblin, | Leonard J. OBermier, an attorney of | New York and a friend of Congressman Lessler, had told of an interview he and | MT. Doblin had with MT. Quigg on Janu- ary regarding the submarine boats. | Qulgg said at that time he had asked Lessler once about the matter and did not think he would make a second at- tempt.
 The witness said he told MT. Quigg he was going to Washington and that while there he would see Lessler and possibly urge upon him an argument which might cause him to change his mind
 Representative Rixey asked: Did you ever know of the fact. as testified to here by Dobln, that MT. Lessler had been ap- preached with the offer of bribe?''
 No" witness replied. "I ascertained l that subsequently,"
 | he had with Doblin subsequent to Janu- ary s, saying:
 There Is Nothing to It."
 'Doblin said to me that there had been talk of money in connection with this at- | tempt to gain Lessler's vote in this com mittee for this appropriation. I think his | exact words were there is nothing to | It, and that he believed that If the vote | was to be gained at all, 1t was to be gained on the ground of friendship"
 MT. Doblin then was called and made specific denial of all statements he had l previously made wherein he alleged at- tempts at bribery. He was rigidly cross | examined by practically every member of | the committee and pressed vigorously for 1 an explanation of his action of today, but | persisted that he was telling the truth | today, and adhered to his denials When | Dobin had left the stand the committees programme. which contemplated calling | Dr. Kerr to the stand. was abandoned, and 1t went into secret session. Some of the members, in view of the remarkable l developments, favored dropping the in- l vestigation, but others urged that it be continued It is understood that MT. Less | Ter asked that he be permitted to make a statement, and said that he had another witness he would call, whereupon the committee decided to meet again at 10:3O tomorrow.
 | Representative Lessler was present in the committee room when Doblin gave his testimony.
 ouigg Did Not Make Offer.
 Mir Taylor for the committee quoted the witness testimony that Mir Quigg had made an offer of money, and asked If MT. Quigg had done so Witness replied | in the negative. Doblin also said his | statement was false when he testified at the previous hearing that he had told | Mr. Lessler that there was $5000 in 1t If he could see his way clear to be friendly | disposed to the submarine boat bill. You did not say anything to Lessler | about any money that would or might be paid to him if he would change his atti- | tude on the bill?"
 | T spoke to him about the question at that time. but did not say anything about money"
 That is, you spoke to him about the | Holland torpedo boat proposition, but you made no improper proposal of any kind | to him?'
 | T did not, sir"
 You did not intimate that anybody. | either through you or any one else of- | fered money for support or the bill or propositicn?'
 | q spoke to him about his future and | generally on the subject of submarine | torpedo boats. and said nothing about | money at any time to the congressman l The conversation was as to Lessler's fu- | ture. I said: Now, here. Monte, Mir | Quigg has sent for me and has talked with me about this thing I don't know whether that is 1t exactly, but 1t is as l near as ! can get it.''
 80 that statement of Lessier that you Il