The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-10

New Jersey. and their predecessors. |
the Holland Boat Company. respect |
ing the methods employed by said |
companies in connection with past >or
proposed Legislation before Congress"
began its investigation to-day.
The committee, which Is composed of
Representatives BoutelI. of Illinois,
chairman; Stephens Minnesota; Ohm
sted, Pennsylvania; Broussard, Louis
lana. and Howard. Georgia, met at the
House office building at 1890 o'clock.
Before the committee had been called
to order Chairman Boutell stated that
no witnesses had yet been summoned,
but that Representative Lilley had been
requested to appear before the commit
tee; that as yet the committee has
nothing before 1T. and will not be In
position to summon witnesses until Mr..
Lilley lays the facts before them.
The clerk was directed by Chairman
Boutell 10 read the report of the Com
mittee on Rules, pursuant to which the
investigating committee was appointed'i
LilIey Not Prepared.
When the reading of the report had
been concluded Chairman Boutell called
on Mr.. LIlley. and asked him II he was
prepared to go ahead and state the
facts in his possession. Mr.. Lilley said
he was not prepared to be examined az
this time: that he desired TO be repre-
sented by an attorney. and had not yet
secured one. He, however. submitted
a number of documents to the commit
tee. He stated that he had been shad-
owed by detectives. and said that. in
order that this shadowing be stopped.
he would ask to have summoned as
witnesses three operatives connected
with local detective agency. He also
submitted a list Of witnesses tnat rs
desired to be summoned. as follows.
Isaac L. Rice, president of the Electric
Boat Company to bring with him all
the books and accounts showing pay
ments made to attorneys and employees
for work performed or to be per-
formed at Washington, or in any con-
gressional district of the United States;
also vouchers, checks. check-books and
other documents issued for such en-
ployment: also vouchers and menloran-
dums showing payments by Elihu B.
Frost for expenses of every kind and
character at Washington or elsewhere
in promoting Legislative appropriations
and the procurement of contracts; also
all books, vouchers, checks. or other
evidence of any moneys contributed
by Isaac l. Rice personally to the cam
paign fund of any political party. or
In any congressional district: Elihu B.
! Frost. Maurice Barnett, treasurer of
the Electric Boat Company; August
| Tredwcll, Jr., assistant treasurer; Nor
man G. Johnson, of New York, attor-
ney. and S. S. McNeer. of this city.
He also asked that subpoenas be issued
for the following: Marion Butler, c. b.
Creery. H. w. Creery. B. F. Sands. all
of this city: Dr.. S. r. Kerr, OF Chicago;
Frank L. Edinborough, of Bay City.
Mich, and ". B. Gordon, of Midland.
Mich.
Wants Real Investigation.
Mr. Lilley stated that he did not
propose to put himself in the attitude
| OF grand jury and present an indict-
ment but he would, If permitted by
the committee and assisted by an at
torney. examine these witnesses and
help the committee to the fullest eX-
tent possible in bringing out all the
| facts. He said that to formulate writ
ten charges and limit the investigation
| to these charges would simply be to
stife real investigation and make the
adoption of the resolution a farce.
Mr. Lilley asked that he be allowed
| to name the manner In which the wit
nesses should be called. He did not
| wish. he said, to be the first witness.
| Mr.. Boutell stated that it was the in
I 'SHSAoA " the COIllltlillee TO nave MT.
Lilley first state what he knows of his
own knowledge concerning these
! charges. and. In order to allow him
to procure an attorney. adjournment
was taken until Thursday morning.
In Executive Session.
/ The committee went into executive
session to consider Representative Lii
| ley's request in the matter of witnesses
| whom he desires to have summoned
AT the executive session of the COM
mittee it was decided that Mr.. Lilley
should be the first witness called Thurs
1 day, and action on his request that
other witnesses be called was deferred
/ until an investigation discloses that tho
persons named are connected In some
! way within the scope of the inquiry.
His request that his attorney be al
| lowed TO examine and cross-eXamine
| witnesses was denied. the committee
/ deciding that the examination should
be conducted by a member of the COM
mittee, and that all questions to pe
asked the witness should be submitted
/ In writing to this member. Regarding
the charge that Mr.. Lilley made that
he was being shadowed by detectives,
| the chairman of the committee was
4 authorized to inquire whether Mr.. LII
| ley was being impeded In bringing be-
fore the committee anything within
the scope OF It's authority by the al
4 legged detectives, and If. In his opin-
ion, lie was being SO impeded that the
committee would use every effort with
4 in It's power to protect him as mem
ber of the House and rs witness be-
fore the committee.
Tn addition to the request of Mr..
!, Lilley that his attorney be allowed to
examine witnesses, the Electric Boat
Company submitted a like. request, Mr.
Martin w, Littleton and John B. Lind
say, of New York. We're present at to.
days session as representatives OF the
boat company.