The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-24
Asks Him About the Letter
Signed With His Name
Criticizing Investigation.
ADMITS HIS SECRETARY
SENT 1T AND TELEGRAM
The Representative Who Made
Charges Against Electric Boat
Company Is Pressed Hard to
Answer Questions Put by
Cornmittee-Anonymous
Lettersto be Identified.
vr : AsH1NGToN. u. c.. April %.
X --Interesting developments


vv = ASH1NGTON. u. c.. April %
NV Interesting developments
NV followed each other in close
Wv connection to-day in the
hearing being conducted by
the special committee of the House of
the charges preferred by Representa-
tive George l.. Lilley. of Connecticut,
against the Electric Boat Company
They ranged from the participation of
the Lake Torpedo Boat Companytl the
preparation of resolution of inquiry
introduced in the House by Mr.. Lilley
to matters of a personal nature in
which criticism OF the committee played
a prominent part. incidentally. Repre-
sentative Lilley was severely taken to
task by members OF the committee for
allowing published criticisms of its ac-.
tions over his signature to stand for
rnoath without being contradcted.
Mr.. LilIey and the committee locked
horns over the question OF the produc-
tion of letters. which. he claimed. are
! confidential, and the question OF
not been decided when adjournmen MT
was taken until Tomorrow
The question of the authorship nf
the two anonymous letters that have
played such an important part in the
investigation was also gone into. and
1t fs the belief of the committee that
the identity OF the writer will be es-
tablished within the next forty-eight
hours.
CrItfcixes Committee,
Mr. Olmsted read clipping at to-
| days session from the Hartford Cour-
ant of March both. containing a letter
signed by Mr. sLilley and addressed to
George ". Coff. of East Hampton.
Conn. This letter, which was in rep,y
| to one received by Mr.. Lilley from, Mr..
Goff. contained the following:
The select committee to Investigate to
have already demonstrated their in
tention tor apply the whitewash brush
wherever they can. Therefore, it Is
safe 10 assum. that very little Will
be brought out. They refused ME In 4
4 privilege of counsel to cross-eXaniina
| witnesses. and do not allow me 10
ask questions except by submitting
them in writing. and even then they
may throw out those which they deem
| improper. which means throwing out
all important questions. I believe.
however. that the press of The ,Lr-
/ try Is already fully convinced.
Mr.. I1illey stated that that letter
was written by his secretary, Mr. Web
ster. and that he had not seen 1t until
| 1t appeared In print
Mr.. Webster. he said. had autho:ity
to sign his name to letters.
| Mr. Webster was called to the stand
and admitted that he wrote the letter.
| lie said that he had gathered his in
ference about the committee from
newspaper clippings and from conver-
sations he had with man who at
tended some of the hearings. The let
| ter was not suggested to him by Mr..
| Lilley, he said.
Withdraws Charge.
| Mr.. Lilley then resumed the stand,
land was asked If he had repudiated
the letter. He replied that he had not.
| DO sou repudiate 1t now?" asked Mr.
olmsted.
II do not personally desire to make
that charge" answered Mr.. Lilley, "ansl
| l am perfectly willing to withdraw it,
ut is not a question Of withdraw
| ing the charge" said Mr.. Howard.
I'VE want to locate this responsi-
hility for the suggestions in that
! letter"
This letter casts reflection upon
the character of the House Of Repre-
cannot go unnoticed," interposed
| Chairman Boutell. "A month has
| elapsed since you had knowledge OF
its existence over your signature.
,iDurihs that time it would certainly
/ have been possible for YOU to explain
it on the floor of the House or to this
committee. but no explanation was
| forthcoming.
Il disclaim the charge" said Mr.
Lilloy.
Mr.. Broussard asked Mr.. Lilley If
he had reprmaned his secretary for
writing sucl, a letter, II think rep
| rimanded my secretary" replied Mr.
IsLilley. II am very sure did,
Why have you not discharged a
man who would abuse your confidence
Hin such a manner?" asked Mr.. Brous-
sard
We'll, i have not discharged him.,
Iresponded Mr.. Lllley.
After other Letters.
Mr. Lilley said he did not know MI.
4 Goff, and when asked If other letters
OF similar character had been written
and signed with his name. replied
that there might have been others
but he did not know how many.
"Will you let us have these let
ters?" asked Mr., Olmsted.
II do not think 1t is within the
scope OF this committee to examine
my private correspondence" replied
Mr.. Lilley.
This committee does not need a
resolution to protect Its honor,'' re
marked Chairman Boutell. 1--WE would
\ like to see your letter press book con-
i .taining a copy Of this letter5and similar
letters referring to this Investigations
Mr.. Lilley persisted that he objected
to producing his private correspond.
ence, and his counsel. Judge Brown
said that Mr., Lilley felt that 1t would
be an injustice to him to, be compelled
to produce letters lie had written tc
friends containing expressions OF opln,
ions Of the committee or any membe,
of 1t. He objected to producing any
i letters that arc confidential between
4 himself and friends.
i Webster tho Culprit.
4 Mr.. Lllley promised to produce the
Continued on Fourth Page.)