The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-27
Mr.. LESSLER'S CHARGES
Witnesses Examined Before the
Naval Affairs Committee in its In.
Ee~stigatfon.

Washington, January 24.-The naval
affairs committee of the house today
resumed the investigation of the
charges made by Representative Less
Ter, of New York, that he had been
approached with an offer of money
for his vote in the committee.
Philip Doblin, of New York, was the
first witness called, and the taking Of
mis- testimony occupied a greater por-
rion Of the forenoon session. He was
followed by John McCullaugh, super
intendent of election in New York.
Lemuel E. Quigg testified at the af-
ternoon session. At an executive ses-
sion of the committee held at the close
Of the hearing today 1t was decided to
call two witnesses Monday.
Philip Doblin. the first witness, said
ne talked with Quigg about Mr.. Less
Ter to support the submarine boat bill.
Doblin said Quigg told him there
would be $4,000 in it for Lessler if Less
Ter could be interested and 200 for
Doblin. He said Quigg was nc per-
<Onally interested, but wanted to DC a
favor to a friend. After his talk with
Quigg, Doblin, said he saw Lessler and
rold him there will be $1,000 in this if
you can see your way clear to be
friendly TO it."
Lessler, Doblin said, laughed and told
him to quit. Then Doblin reported to
Quigg that he could not get Lessler.
Doblin was crosS-eXamined by De-
lancey Nicoll.
John McCullaugh, superintendent Of
elections in New York, said that in
the interest of a friend he had seen
Lessler in behalf of the Holland boat
Lessler said he would not support the
bill. and declared there was Doodle in
Use and among the lobby influences
mentioned wine, terrapin and wO-
men, Mr.. McCullaugh said he had
not in any way intimated to Mr.. Less
Ter that his acts would in any way
effect his election.
Mr.. Quigg told his story after re-
cess. He said DR.. Kerr, of Chicago, a
pneumatic tube business asked him if
he (Quigg> would see LESSER on behalf
IF the Holland boat. DR.. Kerr, he
said. toll him that Lessler was Op-
posing the boats in a "boisterous and
noisy" way. He sale he did not sup
pose he could do much with LESSER,
but if he could ''cool LESSER off" it
Ns'IAiN DS "Pp ldhNS SoLSS SClo Nv
failed to see Lessler. but met Dohlin
md talked with him about LESSER.
subsequently Quigg said he saw Less
Ter and said: "Lessler, I called here
20 talk with you about the Holland
torpedo boats on behalf of a friend of
mine whom l woul like to oblige. He
has told ME your opposition is ugly
md malignant and hat you have said
all n of nasty n ~disagreeable
things about the Holland people. I
wanted to see if I could not persuade
"nu not to be so stiff about the mat
ter"
Less1er replied that he was opposed
% the building of n more of the
BOATS and declared that a most I'M
Scrupulous lobby was maintained in
Washington.
Mr.. Quigg specifically denied h a he
had offered $1,000 for Mr.. Lessler's
vote or that he had told Doblin that
he would try to fix it so it would be
1000 in 1t for him (Doblin.) He also
stated that he had not authorized Mr.
Doblin to make n offer of any kind
to any order, politically or otherwise
Mr.. Quigg concluded with a persona.
appeal to members of the committee
in his own behalf
Major r. w. Hunter, of Virginia
detained any connection with the
unit of Virginia." mentioned ir
the testimony yesterday.
The committee adjourned.