Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-03
Defending His Position Regard
Ing Submarine Torpedo Boats,
Says BoutsII Made Proposal For
Withdrawal Of Charges.


CO., today gave cut a statement on the
subject. 1t includes q copy of a letter
which alleges that two weeks before
the report denouncing Lilley in scath-
ing terms Mr.. Boutell expressed his
admiration for Lilley and endeaV-
ored to effect an agreement where
by the matter should be compromised
The statement is in part as follows:
ITO the people of the State Of Con-
necticut:
THE report Of the submarine investi-
cation committee presented u the
House Of Representatives, on the 10Th
inst. deals 80 largely with my personal
conduct, and touches so closely my per-
sOnal honor. that | feel my duty to my
self and to the public, that has hon
ored me with generous expressions Of
its confide nee, Justifics if it does not de-
mand, :; statement Of my side of the
case"
After thanking those of his ceE
leagues H. the House who refused to
believe me, capable of the offences
charged in the report" and the press
and people Of Connecticut, "Whc have
with such unaniinity refused to believe
me gully CT the offences for W,licll |
have been arrujgned," Congressman
Li]hy gives the text of letter written
to Mrs. Lilley on April Is last by DR.. e,
w. Rtisinser, Mr.. Liley's physiciall
In the letter DR.. Reisinger states that
he informed Congressman Howard, Il
member of The investigating committee,
OF Nj. Lilley'S illness. and THAI both |
gentlciuen spoke in the highest terms
of Mr. L.illey personally and said they
felt certain he was being used by
someone, without his knowledge, but
Mr.. Boutell added, 1t has reached the |
point in this Investigation that either
the Investigating committee or Mr.. Lii |
ley has To roccGc, and, of course, it is |
Impossible for the committee to Il" So
Mr.. Boutcil then proposed to me that | |
talk over thc matter with Mr.. Lllry,
state to him the high opinion Of The
committee of him personally, and to
tell him that absolutely nothing had |
been proven and that l get Mr. Lilley
to Withdraw the charges--in which |
case everything would end right there"
The physician says that on hearing
Mr.. BoutelTs request. Mr.. Lillcy said |
"thTt he Would rather die thar, With
draw the charges. which he knew were
honest and square"
MIR. Lilley's statement continues: Il
am not conscious of anything in my
public or private life Inconsistent with
the conduct of an honorable man. If
any person is aware Of such Il fact. ]
expect, of course. that he will give it |
proper weight in deciding in his own
mind the question of my guilt or inno-
cence |!
II have rot and have never had anil-
fations with any person Interested in
the construction or sale of submarine
torpedo boats. My prcposse#sious, often
publicly avowed. whether right or
wrong. have been against the utility OF
boats as engines of warfare.
II testified before the committee ard
rciterate here that my motive in in
Producing my resolution calling for an
investigation was the public welfare
and that l did not act in concert with {
any other person. 1t is true that the
moving cause of my act was
my conviction that the appropriation
bill as framed in the naval committee. |
would 81 restrict the powers of thcJ
secretary of the navy that he would be ,
to purchase submarine boats
If the Electric Boat Co. to the de-
| :
advantage of the government. While
he present threatened loss to the gov
and the people was the imme-
late prompting cause of ms action
ny belief that the methods employed
~ the Electric Boat Co warranted i'll
was of long standing.
Against the presumption of honesty
md my own direct testimony and that
If the representative of the Lake Tor G
,edo Boat Co. there was no direct evil I
lence. In the minds of the committee 1
however, all these We're out-Weighed Y
~ certain circumstances which the c
committee incorporate in the report |
trung together on a chronological q
hieat. They are, l believe. nsignin- c
ant individually and in the aggrc- {
ate" e
Mr.. Lilley admits that he sent a tele- $
ram aud two letters to the secretary l
f the navy, at the request of the rep q
esentatives of the Lake Torpedo Boat {
o.. requesting favorable consideration a
f the >cOmDany'S interests. but declares l
hat he put the request upon the
round that competition was for the in
crest Of the government" He says 1
Iits 'IlC TeceiNeu assistance from COun-
ell of the Lake Co. in preparing state
nents that We're made to the committee |
ndsthat the company's counsel gave I
lin, lists of questions (which l adopt
d and presented to the committee as {
ny Gown" Io
He tEen said: Il believed at the time .
nd 1 believe now that l had perfect =.
light to secure Information as to prop
r lines Of inquiry and assistance in
PREPARATION of papers from any source )
there such information and assistance i.
ould be obtained and that the source 1
rom which procured them was my N
wn affair."
Tire statement continues: ''Of the an :
nylnous communications written by
Whitney had no knowledge whatever !,
made no charge against any member =
f the House. A suggestion that
member. of the House had been an
Dyed by opportunities of the Electric {
,oat Co. Representatives cannot right {
ully be constructed rs charge against |
Al,n% No.