New-York tribune., 1908-03-07
A SUBMARINE INQUIRY.
House Totes to Investigate Repre-
scntatiue LiLey's Charges.
rFrn1n Tie Trihune bureau. ]

FROM TIE Tribune Bureau
Washington March s--The House to-day by
adontinr a resolution reported by the Committee
Rules providing for an inquiry into the reis-
tiouS of members of the House with the Electric
Boat Company paved the way for a ful investi-
CATION of charges made by Representative
IdIIav of Connecticut The resolution unani-
mouslv adopted and Speaker Cannon immedtateiy
appointed the following committee n conduct the
investigation: Representatives Bouteu. Of Illinois.
Stevens OF Minnesota; Olmsted of Pennsylvania
Howard Of Georgia. and Broussard of louisiana
Accompanying the resolution. which was reported
by Mr.. Dalzell from the Committee on Rules. was
report declaring it to he due the House ana l'S
members that an investigation should be made
The committee is authorized 70 call for the Eiec-
trio Boat CGrnpanv's check books and ali papers
which may have any bearing the charges
There was also 4 stenographic report of the pro
ceedings before the Committee on Rules on Fehrn.
airy - when Mr. LiIley made statement. IN part
follows.
70 the Lessler investigation the Holland company
msntained in Wsshington an organized lobby
for the purpose of influencing legislative appro-+ pro
priations in favor of the Holland boat. and fha1
it had under annual retainer c E Creecey. cen
eral Eppa Hunton: ex-J'n1ted states senator VI,
9, Butler. g 5. McNeir. Dr. W X Kerr ana
others - to-.
president Of the said company, has been con
tinuous visitor at Washington during Congress
sionaI sessions. and that he has spent large sums
of money in furnishing entertainment 70 mem
i pets o. GI Cong[esS aIq snds C1se is Of dollars
That the senate amendment TO the approprta
ton bill of March 2. 1897 was prepared and and
drafted by the attorney for the Electric Boat
Company for the purpose and WIN Lhe InIe+-.U' 80
tion and to prevent the Secretary OF the NSEy
tracts for submarines
That thorough Investigation by inlpertial
committees will large Of money
have been. by the Electric Boat Company. its of
GERS or agents cont,ibuted 10 campaign funds of
members Of Congress who favor and VINO nave
favored the Electric Boat CoHp9nL : uloh-opoIa -
of submarine construction also thst large su59s rs
of money have been spent to accomplish tne GA,
feat of members of the Naval Committee who do
not favor the Electric Boat Company
That examination of the books and records
cessor the Holland Boat Company, will show
that large sums OF money ~ nave oeen palo nun
That continued and repeated efforts have 6q Been
Company and it's predecessor to influence the ac-
tfOn of the officials of the Nay Department ana
and shat aS4 as tn tn ta hs
and criticism of high officials Of the AavE X De %
partment. whose testimony can be secured ny an
Investigating committee.
efforts Of the Electric and Holland companies
have resulted in absolutely SuppresSlng any pos
ana securing and awarding of all contracts. either
by specific appropriation or by Legislative appro-
priations skilfulIy drawn 10 this company with
out possibility Of competition
before the Naval Committee of the House. upon
which no reports were made 70 tne ~ aioise l o5
Representatives, that the Holland compang a ana 10
the Electric Boat Company have been engaged IN
members OF Congress and officials of the Navy
Department in favor of their boats and appro-
That it can be shown upon investigation that
have been subsidized by the Electric Boat Com
pany for favorable newspaper articles ana re-
ports in behalf OF the said company
In the examination OF Mr.. Liley Speaker Can
non asked him: do you allege corrupt action
against members of the present Congress-
u aIIege Just what my document says" replied
Mr.. Luey.
Mr. DaIzen asked: viii you state the names Of
individuals who have corrupted or attempted to
corrupt members of Congress-
They are using wrongful methods in almost
every members district who served on the Naval
Committee" replied Mr.. Lilley.
Mr. LiIley charged that attempt had been
made TO induce him to vote for submarines, and
said:
This electric boat company has been stencil
IN the nOsrlls OF the country for years, and IL my
opinion, II has done more to corrupt legislation
the membership of this House Is OF the very high
est quality and that they are the best men usually
IN the districts from which they come: but with d
flock OF 3J3 here It would be strange II there We're
bies | think the disease ought to be eradicated be-
fore II spreads. have motive or anITnus IN thls
business run on business lines and the selection Of
hands OF the Navy Department and from the eX-
perts OF the navy, from men like Chief Constructor
the world, and men Ike admiral Converse and ana
taken absolutely out or their n4hds ana 9ctIte i
have the contract, leaving them in a position to
under the present bill that has passed the Naval
CoumIttee-we have got to buy obsOescent Holland
boats and no other. At whatever price they choose
to charge We have eliminated any chance 10 do
business on business lines.
Shortly before the adjournment of the House
Chairman BouteIl got his committee together and
partly organized it. He said afterward that the or
ganization would completed at d meeting 10 he
held Tomorrow. when the question Of whether to
make the sessions public or private would be de
Cfded.
report that Representative Lilley was greatly
incensed by the action of Speaker Cannon in not
making him a member of the committee and that
he had expected be named its chairman
gained circulation and became topic OF discussion
after the committee assignments had been an
notnced Mr.. Lillcy refused to discuss the situa-