Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-13
SUBMARINE LOBBY
APPROACHED HOBS0N
Informad t He Was Friendly He
Would Get Place on Naval
Committee.
SPEAKER CANNON DRAGGED IN CASE
Representative CT the Electric Boa,
Company Told Hobson That He Had
influence With the Speaker Rela.
tive to Committee Appointments
riIIey's Testimony Somewhat Vague

WASHINGTON. d. c.. March ~ -
The Lillcy submarine boat inquiry was
begun in earnest today by special
House committed
Representative Lillcy was heard at
length. He began his testimony by
reading a long typewriter statement
i part of which was in the nature of
an affidavit. in which he outlined his
cha yes III detail.
When he had completed this formal
presentation he was questioned bv
Representative Olmstod of the com
miticc. who was designated by Chair
man Boutell. To act as cross examiner,
During the afternoon session Rep
reSeh'ativc Richmond Pearson Hob
son testified that he haA been apr
proachcd by man representing the
Electric Boat Company. who had told
him that If he could summon; Tho
claims OF that company before Con-
sress' the company could bring in
iiuence to bear on Speaker Cannon to
nave him NIobson) appointed on the
coHinitice OH naval affairs
AT the suggestion OF Chairman nou-
tell the names OF the attorneys rem
presenting interested parties were en-
tered on the records
Mr.. Lilley introduced r.anI; n
Brown OF Norwich. and state Senator
stiles Judson of Bridgeport. Conn. ne
ms counsel Martin w. Littlcton OF
New York. announced that John u
i-insay, also of New York. ana him.
ser represented the Electric Boat
Company.
In reply TO one of Mr.. OlmstclSs
questions. M. I.illcy said the Electric
Boat Company had no plant ana no ns.
Sc's. lie declared that that company
ana not build boats. it's only business
oeing TO secure contracts for boats
ana then subct the contracts.
Al the request of MIR. Olmslcd Mr.
'.''IeN gave The names of the Connec-
lic"' manufacturers and. the ATTORNEYS
VINO had asked him. according TO his
statement. TO vote for an apnronrio-
tion for submarine boat consfruction
me manufacturers he said wcro
rankin II. Taylor of Waterbury. and
a. NJ. Ferris of the Brdgeport prass
company; the attorney was John n
Neliogs of Waterbury, Nj Liliev said
na' MI kellogg, the attorney for tho
riectric Boat Company. had mafr an
appointment for Mr.. Ferris With AIR
i-ilicy. hut Mr.. Kellogg was not pres-
cn' al Inc interview. At a previous
Visit, Nj. Lillcy said Mr. IIeIloon
handed him written form Of the nro-
vision that would probably bo offered
III me naval committee while nrenor-
ing me naval bill for the last session.
1t was offered he said. Dut he did
not remember by whom. II was Mr.
'.iiicy's impression that he supported
that resolution
II was fo. open legislation bc s,,1
leaving the letting of contracts viii
the department. The ono submittod
this year shut out any possibility of
competitions
Hobson Was Approached.
Mr.. Lillcy stated nc had been in
formed That representative of mo
Electric Boat Company hadl apDroocI,-
- i'tdlSOn Hob
son with proposition 10 secure his
appointment on the naval committee
II he would vote fer submarine lcajs-
iation. Mr.. Liilcy said 1t was his M
Outstanding that there was an agree.
ineht between The Electric Boat Com
pany and Vickcrs. Sons & Maxim n,
England. who are buiding English
submarine boats. whereby all :m-
provemcnts made by the Electric Doai
Company arc turned over TO tho Eng
FISH company, but under which all of
the improvements made by Vicke's,
Sons & Maxim are not given to the
Electric Boat Company.
Mr.. t.iilcy said he had been an
proachc 4 by representative of Tho
Lake Boat Company. who asked him If
90 would stand for open legislation.
meaning that if any appropriation was
made il should be left so that all the
people could have fair chance to OBJ
tain The business.
e