The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-23
$4,000 IN III.
Congressman LessIer Testifies
fOre.House:Naval Committee.
Tells How and by Whom He
Was Approached.

Washington, Jan. 23-The house COM
mittee on naval affairs today began
the investigation authorized by the
house as a result of the statements
made by Representative Lessler to the
committee that he had been approach
ed with an offer Of money to influence
his vote in the committee. The com
mittee first went into executive ses-
sion.
At 11:1O the doors were opened and
Chairman FOSS announced the purpose
of the meeting, reading the resolution
adopted by the house yesterday. Mr..
Foss first called Representative Less
Ter who was sworn.
Mr. Taylor of the committee ques-
toned Mr.. Lessler who stated that he
was opposed to the building of more
submarine torpedo boats.
Mr.. Lessler identified Phillip Doblin
and told of a conversation he said he
had with him.
Mr.. Lessler said Mr.. Doblin came to
him one morning and asked # the Hol-
land submarine torpedo boat PROPOSE
ton would again come before the
house
Il said I supposed so. He asked If I
was still opposed to it, and I said |
was
Mr.. Lessler testified that Mr.. Dobnn
said he had been sent for by Mr.. Quigg
and Mr.. Quigg had told him there was
Sc, 900 in it If he. LeSsler, could be
brought to the other side. MI LessIer
said there must be no further talk on
that proposition. Mr.. Lessler then said
that Doblin suggested that Mr.. Quige
was a man of power and influence and
that If I wanted to come back here I
would be aiding myself by doing him
Mr.. Lessler then told of a conversa-
ton he said he had with Mr.. Quigg at
the latter's office, 100 Broadway, New
York.
IL
of congress or during the holiday re-
cess Mr.. Quigg telephoned that he
wanted to see him.
I told him to come over and he came
to my office within an hour"
Mr.. Lessler said that he then told
/ Mr.. Quigg that there should be no
question of money. In answer to ques-
lions he said Mr.. Quigg had not men,
toned torpedo boats, but added:
Il had no other business with Mr..
/ Quigg and inferred that it was on this
1 account that he came to see me
Mr. I4essler told of a conversation
7 he had with John McCullagh superin-
! tendent of elections in New York at
/ his hotel in Washington Mr. McCul-
lagh. he said, told him that there were
men in New York who could re-elect
him or defeat him and that they want
/ ed him to support the measure
Mr.. Lessler said he told Mr.. McCul-
lagh that he would not do it.
Mr.. Lessler said that at the time of
the conversation with Doblin the latter
! was a deputy in NE McCullagh's office
He said that Doblin got some mail in
his. LessIer's office, and had the free
dom of his office. He said also that
/ Doblin was an ardent and faithful po-
Iitical friend and he, Lessler felt under
! obligations to him. He did not know
except through the newspapers thai
Doblin had been ordered off the fool
of the house at Albany Asked whai
were the political relations between Mr.
Quigg and Mr.. McCullagh. Mr.. LessIe1
explained the political positions held
by the two men. He knew of no rela-
lions except that Mr.. Quigg was prob
ably one of those who visited McCul-
laghs apartment.