The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-25
BRIBERY CHARGES ARE
STRONGLY CORROBORATED
Testimony Before the House Committee on Naval Affairs to the
Effect That a Powerful Lobby, including ExCongressman Ouigg
and Several Other Leading Republicans, Acted Together
to Force Passage of the Bill for the Construc-
ton of Ten Su bmarine Boats.
REPUBLIC

C
Washington. Jan. A.-New light on the
$500 bride charge Of Congressman LESSER
was given to-day when Philip Doblin. the
go-between, was called before the House
Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. Doblin corroborated Mr.. Lessler in
full. He admitted that he carried the offer
TO Mr.. LESSER. and declared that he acted
FOR Lemuel Ely Quigg, former Congressman
and chairman of the New York County Re
publican Committee.
The testimony so far developed shows
clearly that a powerful lobby was formed
to push the bill for the purchase OF ten
submarine boats of the Holland type. In
terested in this lobby, either directly or in
directly. were several of the most powerful
Republican politicians in the city of New
York.
Great pressure was brought to bear to
secure a favorable vote on the bill in the
House Committee on Naval Affairs. Con-
gresham Lessler, at least, was offered a
cash bribe, and. when that failed. he was
threatened with political extinction If he
refused to support the bill and offered the
bait of a continued congressional career if
he obeyed the lobby's orders.
The money offer. there's Sc. Oh in IT" was
maui ny " 4 HliIp bODiln, deputy sEDeTtl-
tendent of Elections. as the direct agree
men. of Quigg.
Former Congressman Quigg. on the stand
this afternoon. denied absolutely ever Of
fering money for a vote, or ever mention
ing money. He denied all the story of
Doblin. except a casual interest in the
boat matter and hearing Lessler's reasons
for his opposition.
DoBLIN'S TESTIMONY.
Philip Doblin was the first witness
called. He was Intercepted by Represent
alive Taylor for the committee. He said
he had no employment at present but was
employed by the Republican Committee dur
ing the campaign OF 1902. and attended TO
the distribution of literature. and that he
also was a deputy in the office Of the Su-
perintendeut of Elections. He said he did
what he could to aid in the election of Rem
resentatire LESSER. whom he had known
since 1894.
Answering Mr.. Taylor, he said that he had
been in politics for twelve years.
Il stood ready to serve Mr.. LESSER in any
way / could" he said. when asked as to his
relations with Mr.. LESSER. whose office no
made his headquarters.
Mr.. Doblin said he had known Mr.. ou,e.
since 1896. ~
did you have a talk with Mr.. ouigg rel
alive to Holland submarine b~oats?'
Yes, SIR"
when was that?'
Somewhere between the 10th and 18th of
December"
where"
Il received a telephone message asking
me to come to No. 100 Broadway"
He said he went to Mr.. Quigg's office. He
had only seen Mr.. QuigS once since the
State Convention up to that time. He went
TO Mr.. Quigg's office. he continued, and
went to lunch with Mr.. Quigg.
"Mr. Quigg wanted to know how Mr..
Lessler and ] were.'' he said. land / told
him 1 thought Mr.. Lessler and 1 were quite
Intimate"
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN IT."
He said they talked over the bill to build
submarine torpedo boats. Mr.. Quigg. he
added. was trying to get Mr.. LESSER ia
vorably disposed toward the bill.
. Mr.. Dobiin then detailed the further con-
nection he said he had with Mr.. Quigg.
I'VE talked over the Roberts bill that 1