The Washington herald., 1908-04-02

! Elihu B. Frost. referred to throughout
the Investigation of the special commit
tee of the House as the moving spirit OF
the Electric Boat Company, told that
committee yesterday he had the general
management OF the boat company and he
employed attorneys subject either to the
approval OF his law partner. Mr.. Johnson,
or Mr.. Rice, president OF the company
He had employed ex-senator Marion
Butler Mr. Kellogg. McNeir, and ex-sen-
ator Thurston. the latter some years ago.
Ex-senator NJ, c. Butler had been en-
ployed by Mr.. Creecy OF Washington,
once attorney for the company
w. P. Gordon. of Michigan, had also
been employed by Mr.. Frost None OF
the attorneys was hired on a contingent
fee Mr. Butler was paid an annual re-
tainer and Mr.. Gordon's compensation
was in the discretion Of Mr.. Frost. His
duties were those Of a general counsel
Mr.. Frost was questioned particularly
/ by Mr.. Howard, TO determine whether
Mr.. Gordon's employment was due to the
fact that the Assistant Secretary OF the
Navy and Mr.. Gordon were both from
Michigan and that Mr.. Gordon was a
man Of political strength in Michigan.
! He was asked IL he knew when he en-
ployed MIR. Gordon that United States
Senator from Michigan was one OF the
Senate Committee on Naval Affairs and
that Mr.. Loud, Representative from
| Michigan, was on the House Naval Com
mittee. Mr.. Frost was aware Of these
| facts.
Digs for Information.
Mr.. Howard dug for information on the
employment Of Mr.. Lord and Mr.. Erly
TO prepare articles for the Boat Company
for newspaper publication. He knew
nothing about it. except that Mr.. McNeir
had employed Mr.. Lord TO write some
| thing.
Mr.. Frost declared he never employed
any attorney or agent to look after its
business in Congress. Mr.. Howard took
| the list OF members of the naval affairs
committee and after reading each name
asked the witness II his company had en-
ployed an attorney or agent in the Con-
| gressiOnal district OF that Representative
| in the interest Of his company.
To each question he answered he did
not now nor at any other time employ an
attorney from any Of these districts. with
two exceptions in the district Of Mr.
Lilley, OF Connecticut. and in the district
Of Mr.. Loud. OF Michigan. He did not
know that Mr.. Gordon lived in Mr.. Loud.s
district until after Mr.. Gordon had been
| retained
Mr.. Howard asked a series Of ques-
tons OF Air. Frost which were in effect
as follows:
Did you directly or indirectly contri-
butte or cause to be contributed on ac-
count Of your company any contribution
to any Congressional campaign fund.-"
Did you or your company make any
| contribution to the Republican national
campaign fund.-"
ITO the Democratic national campaign
fund.-"
ITO the campaign fund Of any mem
Der Of Congress-"
Did you or did any one at your in
stance. directly or indirectly, or did any
person OF your knowledge, endeavor 10
influence member of Congress by gifts
or money or through entertainment 10
vote for legislation IN the interest OF your
company"
Answers "NOD 20 All.
To all these questions Mr.. Frost re-
piled emphaticaily in the negative.
The list OF questions was repeated and
made TO apply 10 officials of the Navy
| Department or any officer OF the navy, in
stead Of any member OF Congress. Mr..
! Howard explaining that he meant by in
fiuence improper influence.
Mr.. Frost answered NO" decidedly.
The charge made by Mr. Lilley that he
had spent large sums to influence legis-
/ lation and that he frequented Washington
| during sessions OF Congress Mr. Frost
said was false.
one Of Mr.. Lilley's questions asked by
the committee was whether Mr. Frost
would state under oath that he had never
paid any money to any naval officer for
any purpose whatsoever
Mr.. Frost would not say so, because he
had paid $l,5eO to Lieut.. Nelson FOR pat
ent which was used by his company for
overcoming moisture in the periscope.
Mr. Kahn Testihes.
Representative Kahn. Of California. had
been referred to incidentally in Mr..
Frcst's testimony. his attorney, McNelr.
having reported 10 him that he had had
conversation with Mr. Kahn and Senator
Ankeny. Of Washington, on the subject Of
submarines.
Mr.. McNeir had previously testified 10
having giving the details of their inter
views. following statements the gentle
men had made in Congress IN favor Of
more adequate defenses on the Pacific
Coast Mr. McNeir had called on them 10
direct their attention TO the advantage OF
submarines for coast defenses.
Mr.. Kahn confirmed McNeir's report OF
the interview. He had been trying TO get
an appropriation through for a torpedo
plant on the Pacific coast which had
several unprotected ports within eighty
or ninety miles of San Francisco.
Mr.. McNeir had read his speech, and
called upon him at his hotel, where they
had an informal conversation in the hotel
Office. Nothing was said about any par
ticular kind Of boat.
A few days later, Mr.. Lake and ex-Sen-
ator Thurston called. and he heard them
in the hotel Office and learned little
more about submarines for coast defenses.
Mr. McNeir knew nothing about the boats.
nor their relative merits, but he thought
submarines would be good defense for
the Pacific since they were thought good
for the Atlantic. and so. said Mr. Kahn
smilingly.
7 introduced bill to get some of
them"
Maurice Barrett treasurer of the Elee
trio Boat Company, testified that no funds
Of the company had been used for other
than legitimate business purposes. No
money was disbursed except on memoran-
da by executive officers Of the company
stating for what purpose the amount was
drawn.
Would Honor German Pioneers.
A bill proposed by Senator Knox. Of
Pennsylvania. yesterday. authorizes an
appropriation Of $4,000 toward the erec-
ton of q monument af Garr,na +nrrrr, d.