The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-13
CONYINCES
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Hearing of Charges Results
in Thorough InVeS-
tigation.
Attacks Boat C0mpany'S
Methods Rather Than
Congressman.

That Representative Lilley Of ConneC-
ticut, author Of the charges OF corrup-
ton. or attempted corruption, OF menu
bers Of Congress by the Electric Boat
Company. made enough of a showing
in the initial hearing yesterday before
the special investigating committee to
compel thorough probing of the situa-
tion, is the general opinion at the Cap
itol today.
AT any rate, the committee of which
BOuteu of Illinois is chairman. has told
Mr.. Lilley that il viii subpoena the
witnesses he wishes examined. and has
asked him If there are any witnesses
additional 10 those he has already men
TONED whom he would like to have
called. Mr.. Lilley stated today that the
list he has handed in, comprising the
officers OF the Electric Boat Company,
its attorneys and several gentlemen
whom he designates as its lobbyists,
takes in ali he wants summoned at
present Later he win hand in the
names Of other men he wants called.
Sentiment of Members.
This action by the special committee
shows the sentiment among its MEM
bers, especially when 1t is recalled that
last week the committee refused 10 sum-
mon any OF Mr.. Liley's witnesses until
he had gone on the stand and given
reasons Tor summOning them. g.
According 10 the tentative plans OF
the special committe today. the three
men VINO Wlll be examined upon the re-
cOhVenIng OF the committee next Mon
day, VIII be Isaac J.. Rice. president of
me Electric Boat Company; Elihu Frost
vice president and Lawrence Spear,
who IS the man mentioned by Represen-
Iatlve HObsOn a having offered him a
place on the Naval Affairs Committee
last November. II H0bsOn stood right
Former Senator Marion Butler has
written to the committee asking the
privilege OF being heard as a witness,
since MS name has been mentioned by
Lllley as a lobbyist for the Electric
Boat Company" and Lilley gave il as
his opinion yesterday that Butler had
drawn paragraph which was after
ward voted into the Senate naval apprO-
priatiOn bill. Butler viii be heard Mon
day or shortly thereafter.
Doesn't Accuse Congressman.
In reIterating that he is not accusing
any member Of Congress of being cor
rupt, but that he is saying the methods
Of the Electric Boat Company in try
ing to secure Government contracts are
utterly wrong, Mr.. Lilley has made his
position clear. II is evident that he
wants these methods 70 hidden if they
are proved TO exist.
But the case is still far from being
established Unless he brings forward !
positive evidence in support of the (
suspicious he harDors and the rumOrs /
he has heard. he viii establish nothing. /
me most interesting development yes
terday in the way of positive evidence
was the statement by Hobson that Spear /
mad offered him the place on Naval AZ /
-alrS- On this lead, the committee will Z
probably get busy Monday.
Denies Hobson's Charge.
Lawrence Spear. an agent for the |
Electric Power Boat Company, who, &C
cordiug to Congressman Richmond
Pearson HobsCn, attempted 20 get him (
10 favor legislation looking to the pur- |
chase Of submarine boats constructed |
by that company. said today that Mr..
IObsUn was mistaken ia his testimony
He continued:
while ] don't wish TO question the
NeraciJy Of Representative Hobson, his |
statement entirely misrepreSents the |
true state Of affairs. Some months ago
when l heard Jhat Mr.. HObsOn lad
CuarTeied with an influential member OF |
Congress [ happened by chance 70 know
t I particular friend OF this Representa-
Il called Mr. Hobsou up by telephone
ana offered TO help him II L could He
replied tlst he did not wish me to help
Inn, as some p ople might be led TO be
lfeVe his vote vas being Influenced l /
merely wanted to help him as a friend
I regret extremely that Mr.. HObsOn
has 50 miscousTued my motives as
70 place me In the position he has,