New-York tribune., 1903-01-28

and heekoneo him to come in, and he sat down IN
the chair here without any previous word as 10 MS
coming as a witness before this committee
IT Sbould like very much to deny the statement
=, .ha u,tness ouicg that I said that members of
the committee who voted for the Holland torpedo
boats were knaves and that the others who did not
were honest men. Go not think of anything
else
Mr. Rixey-Had you any intimation of the char
acter of the man shown by his testimony before
the committee?
Absolutely none"
..As far as you know, up to the beginning of this
investigation Doblin man who had enjoyed
a good reputation in the city of New-YorkT
'I never knew of wrongdoing by Doblin in any
share manner or form before. never knew CT mis-
word being doubted at all L know that ne mas
been in political relations with various presidents
OF the County Committee and employed by them at
place where great many Things conlI1el'la. I'iS-
and otherwise, given to members, and never
knew of his being doubted in the slightest and L
am totally at loss to understand the proposition
IL appears.
You know of no reason, from your knowledge OF
all the circumstances out of which this investiga-
ton has grown which accounts for this chanse or
testimony the part OF Doblin?
Il know Of no reason
LEssLER CROSS EXAMINED.
Astea cn cross-eSamfnatfon as to how he came
10 make his statement to the committee as to the
alleged 5000 proposition, Mr Lessler replied, 1T
right out"
Answering Mr.. Meyer as to any obligation he
might have been under to Doblin Mr. Lessler SAID
''IoblIn has been in political life about twenty
wears He has been a very useful man to a great
number of Ny judgment is that most OF thenl
have simply used him. and that when that use had
been through they threw him up like a dishrag.
Mr. Vandiver-Dd you think charge Of that
nature could be made in the presence OF seventeen
members of this committee and three clerks and
others standing around and investigation follow?
Il did not think Of the subject Of investigation at
all"
Didn't you express willingness 10 pracucaily
bandon the CHARGE"
"I certainly expressed feeling ana desire Ihdl
7 would like to have the matter dropped"
Answering Mr Tate, he explained that the teie-
grams sent to Mrs. Doblin were sent In his name
because he had frank.
STATEMENT TO Mr.. ROBERTS.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Nicoli, Mr.. Less
Ter said
II met Mr. Roberts. a member Of the House Naval
Affairs Committee. in Statuary Hall. and SAID TO
him. as he was the most interested in the PROPOSE
tion that l would sign a statement and Mr.:
Roberts brought letter to me addressed to the
Holland Company"
Mr. wheeer-Have you got 1t?
NO sir: said would not sign it.
Mr. wheeler-was it on the torpedo boat paper or
Congressional note paper?
'It was on blank paper. 1 had said to him IN
statuary Hall that I would sign a statement
never had anything to do with the Holland Torpedo
Boat Company in any form or shape. Mr.. Roberts
brought me the letter and declined TO sign 1t when
! saw it was addressed to the Holland Torpedo
Boat Company.
Did you read it?'
mo"
MIR. Nicoll-was that statement to Mr.. Roberts
voluntary your part?
Entirely voluntary"
At 1880 o'clock the committee went into executive
session. but before the vote put Mr.. Vandiver
argued for an open consideration Of the matter
saying: 81. for one, have been in favor of conclud-
ing this investigation publicly. / think the nature
of the evidence here submitted and the charges
made require public consideration and public COM
ment, and prefer to say what have to say about
it publicly
Mr.. Kitohn voted with Mr.. Vandiver against an
executive session.
After being in executive session a short time
the doors again opened and Mr.. Roberts, re-
ferrng TO the letter spoken of by Mr. Lesser. said:
I think certain members Of the committee drew
the wrong inference from the actual condition Of
affairs that existed. Now, I want to say that
that will reflect on any member of the commit
tee in apy % shape or manner but If any me member
during the course Of that interview or anything
questions he wishes 10 ask.
No questions being asked OF Mr.. Roberts. the
committee again went into executive session, but at
! o'clock resumed open session. when Harry
Schreier uncle OF Representative Lessler. was
called witness. He told of conversation he
said he had with Doblln in the holidays, when he.
Dobin and Lessler were together, wherein, he tes-
titled. Doblin related to- him conversation he
Ooblin) alleged he had with Mr.. Quigg relative to
submarine boats in which he attributed state
ments to Doblin which the latter has since made.
At 1:2o o'clock the committee took a recess until
2:20 o'clock.
On reassembng at 2:5o o'clock Mr.. Nicoll, on be-
half of Representative Quigg. submitted to the
committee that in view OF the testimony Mr. Quigg
was entitled to a complete vindica ton.
MR. RoBERTs's EXPLANATION.
Mr.. Roberts announced that he desired to make
statement. He said:
Mr.. Chairman-1 have learned during the recess
the incident alluded 20 by Mr.. Lessler. in his
a q eeg ho to hs haa ruiz y y IN peeeo
tion Of the entire trans;ae:iep not With any in
merely that it should be in the records The fore
statary 9 Hail. ON the way way to my Committee roo
met & Mr Il LESSER going IN the opposite lite drectPn ION
thing? Ny God. cannot stand it: It is killing
Testigation which We had authorized to be made by
the Subcommittee said 70 him that the in
benefit to gain by pressing it So far as person
on or STOPPED but there We're other parties beside
myself in this matter. The statement had gone
as RasSs sa
enee his action by the offer Of money, and did
not know whether the Holland people would be
willing have the thing smothered; that that
phase OF the question would have TO be considered
Mr.. Lessler thereupon volunteered, without any
81 question from melt came from him-that he
would make any statement regarding the matter
that was thought TO be fair and reasonable He
said that when he made his first statement in the
committee he did not intend to Injure the Holland
people, and ] remarked to him that If he Gid not
intend to njure these people the only thing he
could DO an honest and upright gentleman was
10 make such statement. and he said if
would have one prepared he would sign it. He
said further that he would not sign such state
ment to be published. ! said to him did not
suppose the Holland people would care to publish
anY such statement; that did not think they