The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-01-28
sLessler Was Anxious That
the Inquiry End.
HE SAYS DoBLIN LIED
Subcommittee Appointed TO Draw Up
Findings to Repor. TO Full Commit
tee for Final Action-Mr.
Rixey's Questions.
CBy Associated press.)

l.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. January 27.-Thc
House Committee on Naval Affairs to-day
concluded the taking OF testimony in tho
investigation of the charge made by Rep
reHentativc Lessler that n corrupt at
tempt had been made to influence his vote
IA that committee on the proposition to
purchase submarine torpedo boats
The executive session was held by tho
committee ut tho conclusion Of tho after
noon session. and consideration was given
TO tho findings the committee would report
TO tho House. After several resolutions
Ind been proposed and discussion had been
had as to tho wording OF report. sub
committee consisting OF Representative
Toss. OF Illinois; Dayton. of West Vir-
g1nia: Taylor. OF Ohio; Meyer, OF Ala
baIua, and Kitchn Of North Carolina,
was appointed to draw UP n set Of findings
to DO submitted to the full committee for
It's final action.
ABSOLUTE DENIAL.
At the opening OF to-days session Mr.
Lsszler denied the statements made yes
terday by Philip Dobin.
IT desire to deny" he said, absolutely
Ind uncquivocally as falso the statement
made by tho witness Dobln here yes
tercny as to any collusive scheme or any
OF the substantial details sworn to by him
hore, and desire 10 reitcrate that the
facts ms originally told by me arc true
Lessler made Il detailed statement OF his
meeting with Doblin In this city. at tho
end of which Mr.. Rixcy asked:
=. HAD you any intmation of the charnc-
ter OF the man. rs shown by his testi-
mony before the comnltteeY'
"A bsolutely none"
..As far us you know, up to, the begin.
ming of this investigation, Doblin was n
man who had enjoyed good reputation
In the city of New York;
II never knew OF wrong-doing by Dob
lin In uny shape. manner or form before,
never knew OF his word being doubted
at ALL"
You know OF no reason which accounts
Tor this change OF testimony on tho part
OF DoblIn?'
II know OF no reason
On cross-exnmination by Mr.. Nlcoll
Lessler told OF meeting with Mr.. Rob-
eits member OF the House Naval Com
mittee, In Statuary Hall. Lessler testi-
Fed:
ST said to him. as he was the ono most
Interested IN tho proposition. that would
sign a statement, and Mr.. Roberts brought
a letter to me addressed to the Holland
Con any
AS this letter was addressed TO the Hol-
land Company, Lcssler said he refused 20
sign 1t.
After hearing Harry schrever. an uncle
OF Lessler, the committee took n recess.
TO EXONERATE COMPANY.
At the afternoon session Representative
Roberts started to make Il statement.
which resulted in his being sworn as
witness. When he was questioned as to
why he had tried to secure a statement
from Lessler generating the Holland
Beat Company, It developed that the
statement had been sent to Mr., Roberts
by Mr.. Frost, OF tho Holland Company.
Roberts version Of the meeting with Less
Ter was that Lcssler was anxious to stop
the Inquiry and offered to sign any fair
and reasonable statement generating tho
Holland Boat Company which Roberts
would prepare. Roberts produced the let
ter, which was to the effect that 1t was
not Mr.. Lcssler's intention to connect the
Holland Company directly or Indirectly
with an offer OF n bribe
On examination by Mr.. Wheeler Rob-
.frts said he reported what Lessler said to
Mr.. Frost. of tho Holland Company, Mt
the latter's office in Washington. The
statement Lessler was to sign was sent to
Roberts by Frost. Roberts said he had
twisted Frost several times since the In
! Qviry had begun. Roberts here took the
oath as witness and Mr.. Wheeler contin-
kued his questions. Roberts said he had
told Mr.. Rixey of Lessler's willingness to
seign the statement, but did not know
i whether he did 30 before communicating
1T 70 Frost.
q. us 1t not fact that you commu-
gnicnted with Frost Mt once when Lessler
made this statement to you?''
WANTED IT STOPPED.
/ A II think 30. called UP Frost by
I Telephone and told him there was a new
turn In affairs"
G. And Lessler said to you that he
would be willing to sign any statement
Ahat was honorable and fair II he could
ztop this matter?"
A Yea
@. Now Is It not fact that imme-
diately upon the exposure by Lcssler OF
thls effort q perfect howl went up
Through the press OF this country, and
what Lessler was referring to In his
conversation with you was that he
4 wanted to pc tho public opprohrin
tconfment and criticism hurled at him h.
pause of that exposure? Isn't that tho
Impression made upon your nrind?"
III. A. mot at all. had Il distinctly dit
terent impression OF Lesslers anxiety to
Btop the investigation
Q. You thought he was lylng7''
A. You can put any words in the
record you want"
@. rs 1t not a fact that you never
fhaye believed Mr.. Testers statemen1?"
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