Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-13
SUBMARINE LOBBY
APPROACHED H0BsOR
CONTINUED from First rage.)

Mr. Lilley said he would stand for
open legislation
Company's Aggressive Campaign.
While he said. IL have no direct
testimony TO offey on that subject.
am told that they (the Electric Boat
Company have men who attend meet
ings of boards of trade chambers of
commerce, etc, and who get up in
their meetings and make ad sresscs on
the unprcparedness of the Pacific
coast and the fear that the japanese
VIII be over OH the next boat and thus
get resolutions passed instructing
lheir congressman to vote for large
number of submarines as the best
means of protecting them from nva-
sion
i mink 1t is reprchensiblc conduct
on the part of the company to hire
lawyers and newspaper men TO go
about ana create war scarcs and wo k
through boards of trade and chambers
OF commerce to bring pressure to bcur
on members of the House to vote the
governments money for their boats. .
May Investigate Lake Company.
Nir. Lilley mentioned the fact that
he had consulted with former, Sena-
Tor Thurston, of this city, who Is the
attorney here for the Lake Submarine
, Boat Company. but insisted that that
gentleman had not formulated mis-
! u,illcy's) charges.
understand am not on trial
nee, continued Mr.. Liley, "and how
does II affect the Investigation OF the
Electric Boat Company as TO where |
got information or whom counseled
WITH"
Mr.. olmsted we may be investiga-
ing two companies before We yet
through. we want to get at the bot
tom OF this matter.
Ma Lilley-So far as | am concern
cd would be willing 10 incorporate In
my resolution that you investigate
TWO, or all. If the Lake company ia
pursuing similar methods to the E.cc-
Uric Boat Company. will introduce
resolution TO prevent them.
Mr.. Liilcy said he had no additions,
witnesses to suggest at this time. Int
would be very glad to give n list of
names or people who he thought woull
| throw good deal of light on the sub
jcct way ''"'
we propose TO dig as deep as any
OF these submarine boats dig" sail
Mr.. Olmstcd.
That won't be very far" rcpied
Mt Lilley, amid laughter.
Hobson on the Stand.
Mr., Lilley was excused temporarily
and Representative Richmond Pearson
flobson was called.
Questioned by Mr.. Olmstcd AIR
tiobson said that he MACE state.
ment to Mr.. Lilley something like tina,
10 which Mr.. I.lley had testified.
Did some person claiming to be
representative of the Electric Boa,
Company approach you In the man
ncr ndicated?" asked Mr.. Olmstcd
Yes. sir
4 VINO was the pa'ty?"
| Lawrence spoer Of New YORK #
was In November last. MIR. Spcer saw
my secretary first, and n few DAYS ar
'cr ne called me up on the telephone
anu IL was over the phone that he
spoke TO me directly. He had prcyi-
ousiy written me. stating that the 9
was matter of mutual interest obon,
which ne wished TO confer with me
ana | replied that | woulr be glad he
confer with him. He said over the
phone subsequently that no undor.
stoou wanted to so on the nava
committee and that his company had
influence 10 bring that about If
stood right on submarines"
with whom?"
MIR. Hobson-Yes. sir.
NJ Characterization did he say?
Mr.. Hobson--l would rather no,
stale than, unless you Insist.
Mr.. Olmstcd-Wc would ike Ia hav,
you state ii. '"'
Mr' tiobson-iIc said the speaker.
MT oimstea-Your appointment on
INC naval committee was obtained In
The usual way. .
Mf. iiobson-I made an official an
phcatioh to Mr.. Williams and 10 tho
speaker aud think that was all
10 not remember having urged nv
case to the mino' ity leader and ! 0o
"o. know whether any OF my friends
dld so: but it was known by them
generally that wanted that commit.
uee' ! told MIR. Spcer that | did not
Mane inc influence that his company
lad ana man no promise TO sup
rof' any naval proposition he might
have to offer
Mr, Hobson said that he had seen
Nr' Spccr since this conversation
occur CD and in reply 20 question
propoundod by Mr. Littleton said thar