Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-20
SPEAR IN A BAD LIGHT
Habsgn's Secretary conlPad|sls Sub.
maPlas Officials Story.
SPEAR SAID NE HA0 INFLUENCE
Told the Secretary Personally and
tteeron over the phone That He
Might "Fix Things With Speaker
cannOn-Metcalf on stana.
(By Associated Press)

| admiral Capps, chief OF the bureau
of construction of the navy depart
ment, today testified before the special
committee of the House that Is inves-
eating the charges made against the
Electric Boat Company by Represent
alive Lilley. Of Connecticut. Both
stated that they did not believe that
the Electric Boat Company mad Sc
cured an excessive profit on the con-
tracts already awarded them. nor did
they believe they would make nm ey-
cessive profit on any future contracts
they may secure.
Secretary Metcalf explained the LET :
ting of contract to the Lake Doat
Company. saying that II was a con-
u'.iofai one. as no money was to be
paid the company unless it built n
[ boat that equalled in speed and steam.
ING radius the best submarine boat
now possessed by the government or
under contract for Il.
Admiral Capps said that the navy
was getting its construction work
done at very low figure.
| representative Butler. or pennsv1-
vnnia denied statement by Mr. Met :
car lha' he md called upon him with
reference TO submarine boats
Edward l.. Clarkson, private secre-
tary TO Representative Hobson. testi-
ned mat Lawrence Y. Spear. vice
president of the Electric Boat Com
pany. told him his company had in
huence with Speaker Cannon and
could use 1t to help Captain Hobson
get on the naval affairs committee
but before doing so would have To
Know how he stood on the proposition
IN which no was interested-tho oues.
ton OF submarine boats"
Congressman Clayton. OF Alabama
testified that the Alabama delegation
IN Congress endorsed Captain Hobsor
ior assignment to the naval affairs
committee, and l., W. Busbey, secre-
tary 10 Speaker Cannon, stated that
The only request made to the speake,
TO appoint Mr.. Hobson to that com.
mittee was made by Mr.. Williams. the
minority leader in the House.
Representative Lilley did not at
tend today's sitting of the COMMITTEES
~, " VIZ Oltnluh.
! The public sessions of the commit.
tee were adjourned until next Thurs
day
i ciarksono Story.
Edward f.. GARRISON, private sec
rotary to Representative Hobson fold
OF the attempts of Lawrence Y. Spear
'he vice president and naval archi,ec!
OF the Electric Boat Company. TO SEE
Captain Hobson at tho time he was
i'll. "A'
He said that after a number of cor
versations over the telephone Mr.
| Spear asked the witness to call al
his hotel. which he did Mr.. clark.
con testified that Mr.. Spear asked
how Captain Hobson was succeeding
In his efforts to be placed on IN,
naval committee.
Il said.' said Mr. Clarkson. "that
so far as knew he was getting or
all right. He said he felt very friend
ly to Captain Hobson and would like
to help him, but before he could ex.
ert his full influence he would hay,
to know how he stood on the propo.
sition In which he was interested. II.
aid not tell me at the time what tn,
proposition was. He then asked m,
how Captain IIobson stood with Mr.
Williams. l replied that so far rs
knew thought they were very friend.
~ He said that is good, because
anything i could do would be Throug.
The speaker and any influence w
could bring TO bear would be through
the speaker
He said they could bring enough
influence to bear 10 land him on tbs
committee ! asked him what prop.
osition he was interested in. He sale
IL was question OF submarines. Tina
was about the extent of the converse
ton and told him | would deliye,
the message TO Mr.. Hobson."
Mr. Clarkson added that Mr.. Hob.
son told him TO cali up Mr.. Spear
which he did. and then Captain Hob.
son told Mr.. Spear that he apprecia-
ted his interest. but that he did no,
want him TO help him in any way:
that he wanted absolutely no sugges.
lion of influence from any outside
source.
II Mr.. Clarkson said that Captain Hob.
son said to him that he had known
MI. Spear for years and that it Is
the strangest thing to me that he
/ would moka mo I, ,.roao.;.t. nj