The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-03-20
ALL ARE INNOCENT
III. @. Butler Tells OF His Connection
With Boat Company-Members Oh
Congress His Guests at Test Trials
Didn't Think it Was Bribery 10
Ask COngresr1Gan ~ Lac "a LEIAh

Ask COngresrLGan ~ LAC - L.AAh
Washington, March 16.-Admission
was made today before the special
house committee investigating the
charges OF Representative Lilly, OF
Connecticut, regarding the leg1sla
tive methods Of the Electric Boat
Company, that money had been
paid by the Electric Boat Company
to certain newspaper men TO prepare
and distribute news concerning sub
maria& boats. This testimony was
given bg Charles S. McNeir, OF this
city, az attorney for the Electric
Boat Company. Mr.. McNeir, however,
entered a general denial that his
company had ever paid for the dis
sepAnation of news with purpose OF
inaaiencing legislation or for creating
a wrong impression in the public
mind. He also denied that a general
press bureau was maintained by the
Electric Company or that, as far as
he knew, the company had ever spent
money for the entertainment Of
= members Of congress or others who
might exert an influence in securing
contracts with the government fof
it's boats.
A number OF other witnesses wera
examined during the Gay, and tn Y
entered general denials to Mr.. L.
1y's charges.
These witnesses were: Former
United States Senator M. c. Butler,
of South Carolina, former
United States Senator Marion
Butler, Of North Carolina, and E. w.
Creecy and r. p. Is. Sands, both OF
this city, all of whom at one time
or another had been employed rs at
torneys by the Electric Boat Com
pany.
Former Senator Butler, Of South
Carolina, was called as the first wit
ness today. Mr.. Butler said he de-
sired to make a statement on behalf
of Hon. Epha Hunton, whose name
has been mentioned in connection
with the charges. Mr.. Butler said
Mr.. Hunton was unable to come
here because of his age and mfr
mites He said that he had served in
both the house and senate with Mr..
Hunton and did not believe there
was a more honorable man in the
United States.
Senator Butler, speaking Of his
own affairs, said that after leaving
the senate he was engaged by the
Holland Boat Company and later by
the Electric Boat Company, but has
done NO work for the company for
the last three or -four years. He
thought it likely he had a written
contract in the form of a letter with
the boat company, but did not recol-
lect positively. He said that one year
he received a retaining fee of So ,400
n since then probably has received
about 81 600. His employment prin-
clpally was to make arguments be-
fore the senate naval committee. He
never a appeared before a house
committee nor had he discussed sub
marine boats with any membe of
the houses. His recollection was that
he had been employed by E. B. Frost.
Speaking OF tests Of the Holland
boat in the Potomac river a few
years ago, Mr.. Butler said that a
party of senators and members Of
the house. His recollection was that
boat to witness the experiments, and
that food and drinks were furnished,
which he supposed the boat COM
any paid for. II did not think any
suspicion of bribery could be con-
nected with asking a member of con-
gress to take a drink" he added
caustically. He resented Mr.. Lilly's
imputation that he was a member
of an organized lobby and stated
emphatically he had been guilty OF
no corrupt practices.
G. e. Creecy, of Washington, the
principal attorney for the boat COM
pany from 1894 to 1903, denied that
he had eve spent any money to in
fluence government officials or mem
bers of congress.
Former United States Senator Mar
ion Butler, of North Carolina, men,
Der of the law firm of Butler and
Vale, of his city, testified that he
represents the Electric Boat Company
in this city as an attorney and has
done so for the past three or four
years.
Who drew up b amendment to
the naval appropriation bill that was
adopted last year?" asked Mr.. Brous-
sard.
II do not know" replied Mr.. But
Ter. He said hi had discussed with
Mr.. Rice and MI. Frost various forms
of amendment, that he had drafted
III SSNSTdl dIuSuuuuCAL, DuL AOI1C ol
them had been adopted.
WHO framed the particular
amendment that was adopted by the
naval affairs committee of the house
not long ago."
Il do not know who drew it," re-
piled Mr.. Butler. 1T was never sub
mitted to me-" The amendment he
prepared he gave to MI. Frost.
sn~ ~ ~ n VT in oh0Yyf an
tertainments in Washington or else
where by officers of the company"
II do not" was the reply.
Mr.. Broussard read from Mr.. Lii
1y's testimony the different charges
that that gentleman had made con
corning the efforts of the Electric
Boat Company to stife competition;
the dissemination of misleading in
formation" etc.
To each one of these charges Mr.
H. l-~- 4A~r