The Globe-republican., 1908-03-12
THE SUBMARINE PROBING
Special House Committee to Inves-
tigate the Lilley Charges Holds
a Short Session.
ACCUSER IS SHADOWED BY DETECTIVES
The Connecticut Representative Asked
That Three Operatives of a Local
Agency Be Summoned as Witnesses
Charges Read and List of Witness
es Presented to Committee.


Washington, Mar 10.-The special
committee of the house appointed by
Speaker Cannon, at the request Of
Representative Lilley of Connecticut,
ito investigate the conduct of the Elec-
trio Boat company of New Jersey and
it's predecessor, the Holland Boat COM
pany, respecting the methods en-
ployed by said companies in connec-
ton with past or proposed legislation
before congress" began its investiga-
ton Monday.
The committee, which is composed
of Representative Boutell Of Illinois,
chairman; Stephens Of Minnesota,
Olmstead Of Pennsylvania, Broussard
OF Louisiana, and Howard of Georgia,
met in a room at the House office
building at 1890 o'clock. Before the
committee had been called to order,
Chairman Boutell stated that no wit
nesses had yet been summoned but
that Representative Lilley had been
requested to appear before the COM
mittee; that as yet the committee has
nothing before it and will not be in
position to summon witnesses until
Mr.. Lilley lays the facts before them.
After the committee had been called
to order the clerk was directed by
Chairman Boutell to read the report
of the committee on rules pursuant
to which the investigating committee
was appointed. When the clerk
reached that portion of the report
which said that Mr.. Lilley at his own
instance appeared before the commit
tee on rules in connection with his
charges, Mr.. Lilley interrupted to say
that he had received written notice
from the clerk of that committee to
appear before it.
When the reading of the report had
been concluded Chairman Boutell
called on Representative Lilley and
asked him if he was prepared to go
ahead and state the facts in his pos
session. Mr.. Lilley said he was not
to be examined at this time;
that he desired to be represented by an
attorney and had not yet secured one.
He however, submitted a number of
documents to the committee. He stat
ed that he had been Swallowed by de-
tectiyes and said that in order that
this shadowing be stopped he would
ask to have summoned as witnesses
three operatives connected with a To-
cal detective agency. He also sub
mitted a list of witnesses that he de-
sired to be summoned as follows:
Isaac L. Rice, president of the Flee
trio Boat company, to bring with him
all the books and accounts showing
payments made to attorneys and en-
ployes for work performed or to be
performed at Washington or In any
district Of the United
States; also vouchers, checks, check
books and other documents showing
checks issued for such employment;
also vouchers and memorandum show
ng payments by Elihu B. Frost for eX-
1enses of every kind and character
1t Washington or elsewhere in promot-
ng legislative appropriations and the
Of contracts, also all
books, vouchers, checks or other evil
lence of any moneys contributed by
saac L. Rice personally to the cam
,aign fund Of any political party or in
my congressional district; Elihu B.
frost, Maurice Barnett, treasurer of
he Electric Boat company; August
'redwell, Jr, assistant treasurer;
Norman G.. Johnson of New York, at
orney and S. s. McNeir Of this city. |
HE request for the appearance of |
hese gentlemen is in practically the |
anne terms as that for the appearance |
t Mr.. Rice. He also asked that sub
oenas be issued for the following:
Iarion Butler, c. B. Creecy, H. w.
'reecy, B. F. Sands, all of this city;
'E S. r. Kerr of Chicago; Frank L.
of Bay City, Mich, and
v B. Gordon of Midland, Mich.
Mr. Lilley stated that he did not
ropose to put himself in the attitude
t grand jury and present an in
ictment but he would, if permitted
y the committee and assisted by ain
ttorney, examine these witnesses and
clip the committee to the fullest ex-
mt possible in bringing out all the
tets. He said that to formulate
ritten charges and limit the investi-
alton to these charges would simply
3 to stiffle real investigation and
axe the adoption of the resolution a
rec.
Mr. L.,,}c- asked that he be allowed
name tAe manner in which the wit
esses should be called. He did not
ish, he said, to be the first witness.
r. Boutell stated that 1t was the in
ntion of the committee to have Mr..
Hey first state what he knows of his
vn knowledge concerning these
Iarges and in order to allow him
procure an attorney adjournment
rs taken until Thursday morning.
The committee went into executive
ssion to consider Representative
lley's request in the matter of wit
sses whom he desiI IS to have sum-
oned.
~ IA