The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-23
Says Quigg Called at His
Office in Gotham for the
Specific Purpose of Talk
)ver Proposed Pur-
Of Submarine Boats.
Says, Further, His Return to
Congress Was a Part of
the Alleged Offer for His
Support of the Measure
Under Consideration.

The House Committe on Naval Affairs
| this morning began consideration OF the
/ bribery charges made by Represen-
1 tative LessIer in connection with the
purchase of Holland submarine boats.
All of the members of the commit
/ tee we're present and an execu-
/ tive session was held prior TO the
examination of witnesses. to outline a
I program OF procedure. When the formal
( taking OF testimony was about TO begin
Mr. Foss. the chairman of the commit
/ tee. read the resolution authorizing the
investigation and designated Represen-
tative Tayler rep. Ohio) as inter-
rogstor of the witness.
Mr.. LessIer was sworn. and in answer
to questions by Mr.. Taylor began BY
saying that he was elected to Congress
in January. year ago. and few days
afterward took his seat. He was made
a member of the naval committee IN
May following
Tayler-What has been your attitude
on the proposition of purchasing sub
marine boats?
LessIe--I have been against it.
Tayler-Do you know Mr. Dobiin2
Answer-Yes; he is a young man in
New York who looked after political AZ
fairs in my district during election and
subsequent thereto. When I was noui-
mated he was connected with the Re
publican organization and had been e.sr
since Mr. Qufgg had been chairman. He
was faithful and ardent IN his services,
and did me great deal Of good IN the
campaign, and I feel under some ob1iga-
tions to him 7 obtained for him sew
eraI receiversbiPs under the bankruptcy
law. and he for a time made his head
quarters in M Office.
In answer to questions, LessIer said
| that some t.1ae IN November between
election and tie opening CT the present
session he had had conversation with j.
Doblin at his qessler's) Office. 81 Nas
sau Street, in regard to Holland subma-s
rine boats
The Alleged Offer.
He came in one day said LESSER.
land asked me If the Holland proDo-
sition would come up again in the House.
said I supposed 1t would. He asked
il I was still opposed to the purchase
Of these boats, and I said. Yes He
then said that he had been seen by
Mr.. Quigg, who told him there was s.. 600
in it for me if I could be brought to the
right side. Ny recollection IS that
simply laughed at the matter, and said
I would rot think of entertaining any
such proposition He said Quigg was
a man Of power and influence in ~
York. and that, of course, If I wanted to
come back here (to Congress), that IN
aiding him (Quigg) I would be helping
myself by doing Quigg a favor"
Did he tell you where he had the
conversation with Quigg2"
Yes; in Mr.. Quigg's Office. 100 Broad
way"
Odd you later see Quigg in eonnee-
ton with the Holland matter?
A.-Quigg telephoned me one morning.
either some time between election day
and the opening of the present session,
or It may have been during the Christ
mas holidays. He asked me if he might
see me, and I said Yes: come to my
Office" He said. when ?'' I said. AT
once" He d4d come over in the course
Of an hour. When he came in, said
there could be no consideration Of money
in the Holland business.
Q.-Had anything been said about sub
marine boats before you made that state
meato
A.-No; I know that was his specific
errand. Mr. Quigg had no other busi-
ness with me Of any kind. I said there
must not be any question of money in
this business.
Q.-What did Quigg say TO that?
Quigg Said Nothing.
Abe sat silent and said nothing. /
went ca to explain Why was opposed
to the purchase OF these boats. He then
asked some questions along the lines
of what they we're for. how many the
Government wanted, aud the purely Ia
val features of the matter. He said:
We'll, I see you are opposed TO this
proposition, and have evidently looked
into it." Ny recollection is that ne
mentioned a Mr.. Rice, the president OF
the Holland Company. or holding some
Office in It, with whom he had had some
controversy, and I gained the impress
sion that ne was not on friendly terms
with him He mentioned a General