The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-15
DROP SUBMARINES.
SENTIMENT SINCE
CHARGES APPEARED
Naval Affairs Committee
May Decide to Substi-
tute Larger Craft.
Witnesses Subp9naed to
Appear Before Commit
tee Conducting Inquiry.

That the entire program for the In
crease OF The efficiency OF the United
States navy may be radically changed
as a result OF the Lilley charges of
corruption by Congress by a submarine
boat company and that not one cent
may be appropriated for submarines in
the pending naval appropriation bill,
Were facts developed at the Capitol yes
derday.
Surprising as it may appear, it was
discovered that there is now a pro-
nOunced sentiment among the members
Of the Naval Affairs Committee against
the bin making any provision for sub
marines. although the measure. as prac-
ticauy agreed on a few days before
the Lilley investigation began, appro-
sprlated money Tor eight submarines.
Against Submarines Now.
This new sentiment on submarines
may be clinched and made effective by
the testimony that will be given this
week before the special investigating
committee, now probing the LiIley
charges, Dy Secretary of the Navy Met
calf and the submarine experts Of the
Navy Department. It is safe to say
that the sentiment against the sub
marines started after the light Of pub
licity was turned on them By the Liley
charges.
He declared that the boats as pro-
vlded for are practically obsolescent.
They were 10 have been made by the
Electric Boat Company and completed
within eighteen months or two years.
Speculation was rife in the House
yesterday as to whether the proposed
abolition Of all provision for the sub
marines would result in adding a third
battleship 10 the two provided for in
the BILL or whether il would result in
the authorization Of one or two armored
cruisers. It was thought that, Of the
two chances il was more probable that
Lhe third battleship would be built.
Representative Bouteu, chairman of
the Investigating Committee, with two
other members Of that body, Stevens
Of Minnesota and Howard Of Georgia,
called on Chairman loss Of the Naval
Affairs Committee yesterday afternoon
and secured from him all the papers
and records Of the committee bearing
on the question of submarines and the
incorporation in the naval bill Of the
money for eight of the craft. These
papers, including hearings and com
muniCations from the Navy Depart
ment, viii be used by the committee
in connection With its examination OF
the witnesses on the submarine uues-
tlon this week.
Witnesses Subpoenaed.
Chairman Bouteu yesterday had the
following men subpoenaed TO testify
before the committee tomorrow:
Matthew c. Butler, former United
Marion Butler. former Senator from
North Carolina; c. r Creecy. Z. w.
Creepy F. P. B. Sands, and c. S. Nc
Neir.
The committee expects to meet twice
day every day this week If It is
found that the evidence viii require
this number Of sessions.
Lilley Explains Stand.
Lilley last night gave the following
Statement to the press;
Mr.. Bouteu says that I told the Com
mittee on Rules that / expected TO
prove that large sums OF money were
contributed to campaign funds of politi-
cal parties in Congressional districts.
but that before the investigating COM
mittee 1 said that did not charge cor
ruption of any member of the House.
Now 1t is well known that contribu-
tions 10 campaign funds heretofore
have been the common practice, and
are not legally corrupt.
4 do expect to prove, II the commit
tee will give my attorneys an opportun-
fly to do so. that the Electric Boat
Company, through its agents, has con-
tributed to campaign funds Of both par
ties"