The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-03-13
THE MORNING AsToRIAN. ASTORIA, OREGON.


my conception Of the precedents,
so far as ! am individually con
eerned, am ready to obey any order
by this committee requiring me to be
witness before il but in doing so |
state upon my responsibility as q
member that in order TO fully bring
out the necessary evidence and sub
stantiate the charges the order oi the
examination OF witness should be
otherwise arranged and such testi'
mony as may be able to give should
be presented in the natural order and
subsequence given, such as would be
i presented by counsel learned in the
law,
| II ask your honorable committee
whether or not after consideration oi
what | have just stated the committee
still adheres to its determination to
| prohibit me from calling the witnes'
scs and presenting their testimony
under the examination Of my attor"
neys,
This request being denied by com
mittee through Chairman Boutell
Mr. Lilly said;
II now feel as though | am re-
leieved OF responsibility in regard to
this investigation. | submit myself
TO the direction and orders OF this
committee. | still protest there
would be detrimental to thorough
and complete investigation to have
my testimony taken at this time for
by so doing you would advise the
parties charged with improper actions
in influencing congressional action III
such manner as would enable them
to prepare for a possible defeat OF the
purpose OF the investigation. now
waive service OF summons and II You
| now order me TO do so, ! will take
the stand as witness.
Mr.. Lilley also told OF other efforts
| to influence him through promises
made to his constituents and OF ell
forts influence other congressman to
influence him in an indirect way,
Il also wish 10 say said Mr. Lilley
as TO the facts influencing TO intro
duce my resolution that in my reso'
luton that in my judgement, under
| special and exclusive legislation the
Electric Boat Company and its pred
ecessor already have received from
| the U. S. an excessive profit OF more
than 100000 for the construction
| OF its submarine and that under the
proposed legislation now pending it
will receive profit OF more than
| 81, 100000 in excess OF what ought
Justly and fairly be paid for construc-
ton Of submarines provided for and
that this fact can be substantiated by
your committee by calling as wit
nesses the expert officials and con
structors in the navy department
Mr.. Lilley said that investigation
would also show that the submarines
already constructed by the Electric
Boat Company for the U. 5. govern
ment or now under contract as well
as those provided for in pending leg
islation, are inferior in type, speed,
power, arament and efficiency to
those now in the possession OF and
under contract for construction for
foreign governments.
Mr. Lilley reaffirned the statement
that in his resolution OF investigation
he has cast or intended to cast no
reflection upon the official conduct
OF any member of the naval commit
tee or OF the house OF representatives.
Il realize" he said, that there is a.
wide distinction between the fact OF
actual corruption OF member OF
congress and the effect upon his leg
islative action induced by such in
fluences as can be brought to bear by
parties desiring favorable legislation;
my desire has been and is only to|
bring to the public attention to con
press and of the country the im-
proper method that have been em-
ployed by the Electric Boat Co and
which tend to discredit the integrity
of the house OF Representatives and
the community.
Having made these statements to-
your committee and bowing to your
decision that you are to conduct this
investigation without further assist
ancc or my attorneys, ! am now pre-
pared to answer SO far as can any
questions you may desire to ask.
When he completed his formal
presentation he was questioned at
length by Representative Olmstead
of the committee, who was designat-
Cd nv Chairman Boutell to perform