The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-27
Retracted His Testimony Given on
Saturday and Said the Bribery
Charges Were Untrue.
oUIGG OFFERED NO MONEY
AND THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO
USE UNLAWFUL INFLUENCE.
Testimony That Reflects ON Mr.. Less
Ter and Calls for Explanations
John McCullagh's Denial.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-Philip Doblin,
who testified before the House committee
on naval affairs Saturday that he had ap-
preached Representative Lessler, Of New
York, with an offer of money to influence
his vote on the submarine boat bill and who
made the further statement that he had
been told there might be $1,000 in it for him.
made the astounding statement before that
committee to-day that he made statements
Saturday which were not true and that he
wanted to retract his statement that Mr.
Quigg had rendered a bribe TO him. The
statement came without any previous warn
ing that Doblin intended making any such
retraction. Members of the committee
looked at one another In amazement as
Doblin went on with his statement.
Gustavus Rogers, an attorney, arose in
the committee room after the first witness
had left the stand this morning and said
he appeared for Mr.. Doblin, who had stat
ed that he Ooblin) had made some state
ments Saturday which were true and some
which were false, and held in his hand a
statement to which Mr.. Doblin had sworn.
The committee was unanimous in agreeing
that Doblin appear in person forthwith.
He was called and made specific denial
of all the statements he had previously
made wherein he alleged attempts at brib-
ery He was rigidly cross-examined by
practically every member of the comittee
and pressed vigorously for explanation Of
his action to-day, but he persisted that he
was telling the truth to-day and adhered
to his denials. When Doblin had left the
stand, the committee programme, which
tod nr fn
the stand. was abandoned and it went into
view of the remarkable developments. ia
vored dropping the investigation, but
others urged that it be continued. 1t is
understood that Mr.. Lessler asked that he
be permitted to make a statement and said
that he had another witness he would call,
whereupon the committee decided to meet
again at 1890 tomorrow. Representative
Lessler was present in the committee room
when Doblin gave his testimony.
MR.. OBERMEYER'S TESTIMONY.
The first witness called to-day was Leon
ard Obermeyer, a New York lawyer and
friend of Congressman Lessler. He told
OF an interview he and Mr.. Doblin had
with Mr. Quigg Jan. regarding the
submarine boats. Quigg said at that time
he had asked Lessler once about the mat
ter and did not think he would make a
second attempt. The witness said he told
Mr. Quigg he was going to Washington
and that while there ne would see Less
Ter and possibly urge upon him any argu-
ment which might cause him to change his
mind.
Representative Rixey asked: did you
ever know OF the fact, as testified to. that
Lessler had been approached with the Of
fer OF a bribe?'
NO" witness replied. II ascertained
that subsequently," He then told Of a con-
versation ne said he had with Doblin SUBJ
sequent to Jan. 5, saying "Doblin said to
me that there had been talk of money in
connection with this attempt TO gain Less
lers vote. l think his exact words were: !:
There is nothing to IT,, and that he be-
lieved that If the vote was 10 be gained
at all IL was to be gained on the ground Of
friendship.
When Mr.. Obermeyer left the stand Mr.
Rogers, an attorney. announced TO the COM
nittee that he appeared on behalf of Mr..
Doblin and said: Mr.. Doblin stated to
me that some of the testimony he gave be-
fore this committee was true; that some of
IL was not true. and was false"
M-- Taylar- of the committee. insisted