Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
LESSER IS OFFERED MONEY
New York Congressman Tells of Attempt t,
Secure Vote,
SUBMARINE BOAT PEOPLE INVOLVED
Says II, IL Opposed TO Proposition,
but Was Told lie Could Make
Five Thousand Dollars
by supporting It.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The house COM
mittee on naval affairs today began the in
vestigation authorized by the house as the
result of statements made by Representa-
tive Lessler to the committee 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 11:1O the doors were opened and Chair
man Foss announced the purpose Of the
meeting, reading the resolution adopted by
the house yesterday.
Mr.. Foss FIRST called Representative Less
Ter, who was sworn.
Mr.. Taylor Of the committee questioned
Mr.. Lessler. who stated that he was OPP
posed to the building Of more submarine
torpedo boats.
Mr.. Lessler Identified Philip Doblin and
told OF a conversation he said he had had
with him.
Mr.. Lessler said Mr.. Doblin came to him
one morning and asked IL the Holland sub
marine torpedo boat proposition would
again come before the house. II said l
supposed so. He asked il I was still OPP
posed to 1t, and l said was"
Money I'm IL for Lessler.
Mr.. Lessler testified that Mr.. Dotlin said
he had been sent for by Mr.. Quigg and Mr..
Quigg had told him that there WIS 5000
In it II he (Lessler) could be brought to
the other side.
Mr.. Lessler said he said there must be
no further talk on that proposition. Mr..
Lessler then said that Doblin suggested
that Mr.. ouigg was a man of power and
influence. and that If 1 wanted to come
back here / would be aiding myself by
doing him this favor"
| M I oeoIor tbop tia - ,a.va-.attan
he said he had with Mr.. Quigg at his
office, 81 Nassau street. New York. He
then said that before the opening OF con-
gress or during the holiday recess Mr..
Quigg telephoned that he wanted TO see
him 81 told him to come over and he came
to my ONCE within an hour"
Mr.. Lessler said that he then told Mr..
Quigg that there should be no question of
money. In answer to questions, he said
Mr.. Quigg had not mentioned torpedo boats,
bur added; Il had no other business with
Mr.. Quigg and inferred that /. was on this
account that he came TO see me-
Conversation with McCuIInEh.
Mr.. LESSER told OF a conversation he had
with John McCullagh, superintendent OF
elections in New York. at his hotel in
Washington. Mr.. McCullagh, said he, said
that there we're men in New York who
could elect him or defeat him, and that
they wanted him to support the measure.
Mr.. Lessler said he told Mr.. McCullagh that
he would not do IL.
Mt. Lessler said that at the time OF
the conversation with Doblin the latter was
a deputy in Mr.. McCullagh's ONCE. He
said that Doblin got some mail in his (Less-
le-'s) ofice and had the freedom Of his
ONCE. He said also that Doblin was an
ardent and faithful political friend and he
(Lessler) felt under obligations to him
He did not know, except through the news
papers. that Doblin had been ordered of
the floor Of the Board of Aldermen in New
York City. f.
Asked what we're the political relations
between Mr.. Quigg and Mr.. MoCullagh. Mr.
Lessler explained the political positions
held by the two men. He knew of no re.
~lations except that Mr.. Quigg was probably
one OF those who wished McCullagh's APP
pointment.