The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-01-24
BRIBERY STORY RECIfED.
CONGRESSMAN LESsLER TESTT-
FEES BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE


His Interview with DObIIn, Who Said
lie Came from Quigg, and That There
"Vas So, 900 In It." If LessIer Could be
Brought TO Favor Farther Purchases
of Holland Submarine BOats-ApPeaF-
nmee OF Superintendent HIcCuIIagh.
Washington, Jan. 2S.-The house
committee on naval affairs this morn
ing began the investigation authorized
by the house as result of the state
ments made by Representative Lessler
of New York to the committee that he
had been approached with an offer of
money to influence his vote in the COM
mittee on the subject of purchases of
Holland submarine torpedo boats. The
committee first went into executive ses-
sion. At lilo a. m. the doors were
opened and Chairman Foss announced
the purpose of the meeting, reading the
resolution adopted by the house yester-
day. Mr.. Foss first called Representa-
tive Lessler, who was sworn.
Mr.. Taylor of the committee ques-
toned Mr.. Lessler, who said that he
was opposed 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. He said Mr.. Dob
lin came to him one morning an asked
if the Holland submarine torpedo boat
proposition would again come before
the house. IT said I supposed so. He
asked if was still opposed to it, and
I said was"
Mr.. Lessler testified that Mr.. Doblin
said he had been sent for by Mr.. Quigg
and Mr.. Quigg had told him there was
$1,000 in it if he Iessler) could be
brought to the other side.
Mr.. Lessler testified that he replied
that there must be no further talk on
that proposition Doblin then suggest
ed that Mr.. Quigg was a man of
power and influence. and that if
wanted to come back here I would be
aiding myself by doing him this IA
vor.''
Mr.. Lessler then told of converse
ton which he said he had with Mr..
Quigg at testers office, No. 81 Nassau
street, New York. The witness then
testified 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.. Less
Ter said.
He then told Mr.. Quigg that there
should be no question of money. In
answer to questions the witness said
Mr.. Quigg had not mentioned torpedo
boats, but added: II had no other bus
mess with Mr.. Quigg. and inferred
that it was on this account that he
came to see me-"
Mr.. LESSER told of a conversation he
had with John McCullagh, superintend-
ent of elections in New York, at the
formers hotel in Washington. Mr.. Nc
Cullagh, he said, told him that there
were men in New York who could re-
elect him or defeat him, and that they
wanted him to support the Holland
boat measure. Mr.. Lessler said he told
McCullagh that he would not do it.
Mr. Lessler said that at the time of
the conversation with Doblin the latter
was deputy in Mr.. McCullagh's Office.
He said that Doblin got some mail in
his Nessler's) office. and had the free
dom of his office! He said also that
Doblin was an ardent and faithful po-
litical friend and he (Lessler) felt I'M
der obligations to him. He did not
know except through the newspapers
that DobIin had been ordered off the
floor of the assembly at Albany.
Asked what were the political rela-
tons between Mr.. Quigg and Mr.. Nc
CuIagh. Mr. Lessler explained the po-
Htical positions held by the two men.
He knew of no relations except that
Mr. Quigg was probably one of those
who advised Mr.. McCullagh's appoint
ments.
At the request Of Mr.. Quigg, Delan-
cey Nicoll, an attorney, was permitted
to question Mr.. Lessler. His questions
aimed to develop the relation existing
between Mr.. Lessler and Doblin. Mr..
Nicoll then questioned the witness rela-
tive to q conversation he testified he
had with Doblin.
Mr.. Lessler could not fix the time
when the conversation occurred. He
said he believed Doblin was authorized
to come to him. Mr.. Lessler said that
Mr.. Qugg had told him that he (Guigg)
had no interest in the Holland boat but
that friend--a Mr.. Hunter of Vir-
ginia, as he remembered the name
was interested in them, and that he
wanted to do him a favor.
''To whom, if anybody, did you tell
the story of the proposal?" Mr.. Taylor
asked.
ITO Mr. Foss and Mr.. Dayton of this
committee, shortly after congress op-
ened,' he replied.
r l,e i