The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-10
PROBERS ARE AT SEA
Lilley Not Ready to Name
Besmirched Men.
COMMITTEE MEETS THURSDAY
Investigation Into Alleged Subma-
rine sennsTsl Progresses slowly.
Nan Who Caused It Says lie Ia
DOgGed by Detectivcs-TakinE of
Evidence Is Postponed.

The investigation by special commit
tee Of the House into the charges Of
Representative George l.. Lilley. OF Con
necticut, that the Holland Boat Company
and the Electric Boat Company have ex-
erted an improper influence on Iegisla-
tion concerning appropriations for sub
marine torpedo boats began yesterday.
When the special committee assembled
in the room OF the Committee on Ways
and Means, in the new office building OF
the House. Mr.. Lilley was present. Mar
tin w. LittletOn and John b Lindsay, OF
New York, were present also. as counsel
for the Electric Boat Company, which
is the receiver Of the Holland Boat Com
pany.
At the outset Mr.. Lilley and the in
vestigation committee came into conflict.
Chairman BOutel wanted Mr. LiIIey 10
make his charges under oath. Mr. Lilley
declined TO be placed in the attitude Of a
witness until others had testified and he
had been given a chance to examine
them.
He said that he did not propose TO con-
stitute himself a grand jury and be held
down to his written charges. but wanted
to call witnesses. so that the facts might
be ascertained. Mr.. Liney insisted that
counsel should be employed TO examine
and cross-examine. 1T seems TO be the
pleasure OF the committee to put me in
the position Of prosecutor. he said.
BOuteII Denies 1t.
Chairman BouteI denied this. and ask
ed Mr.. Lfley again if he was ready to be
sworn and to testify as to what he knew
Of his own knowledge of the charges he
had made. Again Mr.. Lilley declined,
saying he did not care 10 give his evi-
dence yesterday. He would not give evi-
dence except upon the advice Of counsel
when and in What order his testimony
should be taken.
He expected counsel from his State to
be here in a few days, he said Mr.
Boutell kept insisting that the committee
had determined to hear Mr.. Lilley's ,esti-
mony first, and Mr.. LiHey was as en-
phatic in declining TO accade to what the
committee desired. The upshot Of the
ed until Thursday.
IN tne course OF his appearance before
the committee Mr.. LiIIey submitted list
Of witnesses. that he wants TO have sum-
moned. The list bears the names of the
officers and attorneys Of the Electric
Boat Company. He requests that the
committee permit him and his counsel TO
examine these witnesses. and that the
committee direct each witness TO bring
with him all books showing payments to
attorneys and employees for work done in
Washington, check books and stubs and
vouchers, memoranda showing payments
by Vice President Frost. of the Electric
Boat Company. for expenses in promoting
the interests of the company. The com
mittee was asked also 10 have President
Rice. of the company. produce evidence
of moneys contributed personally TO po-
litical campaign funds.
Mr.. Lilley submitted a letter from him.
self declaring that he was being shad-
owed by detectives, and asking the COM
mittee to consider the propriety OF such
shadowing Of member of the House
He asked that three men OF private de-
tective agency be summoned TO tell
whether they had shadOWed him
After its adjournment the committee
held an executive session, at which II was