Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-21
BAD FAITH IS CHARGE
AGAINST MIR. L|LLEY,
Committee Which Probed Electric Boat
Co. So Reports --Acted In Con-
tempt Of the House.

Washington, May 20-The conclu
sionS of the special committee which
has been investigating the charges o
Representative Lilley of Connecticut
that member of the House had beel
improperly influenced in connection
with submarine torpedo boat legisla
ton; that Mr.. Lilley had violated his
obligations as member and acted il
bad faith with the committee and ii
contempt of the House, were sustained
today by the House by a vote of ISL tc
81. Five hours of the session We're de-
voted to the case, four of which were
consumed in reading the report. The
Connecticut, members Joined in voting
against the resolution. Mr.. Williams
Of Mississippi denounced Mr.. Lilley as
guilty of treason for which, he said
he should be expelled. He presumed
that the reason the committee did
not carry it's report to a recommended
ton 10 that end was because Mr..
Lilley was at his home ill and unable
to be present to defend himself in
| such proceeding. 1t was a noticeable
| fact that the five members of the spe-
| ciai committee, Boutell. Olmsted,
Stevens, Brousard and Howard, sat
| together throughout the proceedings
and that none of them submitted any
| remarks in connection with the re-
port.
| The partial conference report on the
sundry civil appropriation bill occa-
stoned a lively debate. 1t was adopt
ed and the conferees will continue
their efforts to arrive at a complete
agreement.
The House at 6S5 P. M. recessed un-
til II A. M. tomorrow.
Washington, May 19-That Repre-
sentative George l.. Liley of Con-
| necticut was not warranted in bring
| ing charges against certain of his COL
leagues in the House and accredited
members of the press is the conclu-
sion reached by the special committee
named by Speaker Cannon to investi-
gate methods employed by the Electro
Boat Co. of New Jersey in connectio ,
with legislation before Congress. IL
an exhaustive report submitted to the
House today Chairman Boutell and hi +,
colleagues review the testimor '
oi''She oue pCIoIc llc committee / |
hearings extending over several weeks,
and declare with entire unanimity that
no member of the House and no rep
| resentative of the press have been III
duced by officers of the Electric Boot
| Co. to act from corrupt or improper
| motives.
Furthermore, the committee finds
| that Mr. Lilley allowed himself to lie
| used as an instrument of the LAX .
Boat Co. III questioning the integrit y
and fairness of the members of tt c
| investigating committee and in at
lacking competing submarine com
pany. Mr.. Lilley, is charged also with
maintaining an attitude of bad faith
hoth III bringing the charges and cor
ceallng from the committee the iden-
| tlty of the real parties in interest be
hind the investigations
The investigation grew out of res
olutioh introduced by Mr.. Lilley in
the House on Feb. 20 last, asking tina t
a committee be appointed to investi
gate the conduct of the Electric Boa
Co. of New Jersey and their predeces
sors, the Holland Co., respecting tn
methods employed by the companic
| ''-e'ASN' IL SpiiiISCtlOIl Will past anu
proposed legislation before Congress
The resolution was referred TO. tn
committee on rules and on March 6,
the committee reported back recon-
mending that the Speaker name n
committee of five to investigate Tho
charges, which was done The hear
ings began on March 8 and closed
April 80. Testimony was taken i,
Washington. New York and New;
| Orleans. The conclusions reached y "a
the unanimous act of the committe,
follow:
First-That House Resolution No.
Zoo, introduced by Mr.. Lilley, was a..
| 1mpotent resolution and no evidence
| could nave been compelled thereln-
der, and that this investigation re,
| CURED the adoption of House Resolu
ton 2SS Of the committee on rules, I'M
der which the inquiry has proceeded
Second-That Mr.. Lilley's resolution,
was not introduced in good faith.
| Third-That Mr. Lilley had no in
formation to justify his charges
made before the committee on rules.
Fourth-That Mr.. Lilley acted ir
bad faith in making his charges be-
! ioAS IiiS SoIiIittlce On rules.
| Fifth-That Mr.. Lilley acted in bad
faith in stating before this committee
that he had made no charge rejecting
| upon members of the House before the
| committee on rules
Sixth-That Mr.. Lilley allowed him
self to be used as an instrument of the
Lake Torpedo Boat Co. in it's rivalry
and attack upon a competing COM
pany.
Seventh-That Mr. Lilley's real OBJ
Ject in introducing his resolution and
making his charges was the same az;
the purpose Of the propaganda" of
the Lake Torpedo Boat Co., namely.
the defeat of the clause in the naval
committees bill relating to sub
| marines.
Eighth-That Mr.. Lilley acted in ba q
faith in concealing from your commit
fee the real pa rtiac in, ;p<aro.+ -.