Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-13
BOAT SCANDAL HEARING.
Continued from Page One.)

CITY, WHO ID Tic dltoAA'|y A>AN 49, 49,
Lake Submarine Boat Co. but. he i'll
sisted that gentleman did not formu-
late his Gilleys) charges
Olmsted was insistent in his ques-
tioning. which led Liliey to ask about
the pertinence of the question.
Il understand that 1 am not on trial
here" continued Lilley, land how doels
it effect the investigation of the Elec-
trio Boat Co., as TO where l got IN
formation or whom 1 sounsellcd with !"
Olristed-"We may be investigating
two companies before we get through.
We want to get at the bottom OF TINS
matter"
Lilley-'So far as I am concerned
would be willing to incorporate III my
resolution that you investigate two or
all Ii the Lake Co. is pursuing SINH
lar methods to the Electric Boat Co
will introduce a resolution to nave
them investigated"
Olmsted-"I think we are in entire
harmony, Mr. Lilley. No one IS &C
cusing you Of anything"
Lilley said in reply to a question that
Thurston told him that Former United
States Senator Marion Butler drew
the amendment to the appropriation
bin Of 1907.
The question of the scope OF the in
vestigation being brought into question:
Lilley said:
1.-The resolution reported from the
committee on rules does not seem To
bear much relationship to the resolu-
ton I introduced For instance. it says
something about charges against mem
bers OF Congress. / have made no
charges against members of Congress.
Lilley was asked If he had any adj
dtional witnesses to suggest at this
time. He replied that he had not, but
he would be very glad to give list of
names of persons, who he thought,
would throw a good deal of light on
the subject.
I'VE propose to dig as deep as any
Of these submarine boats dig" said
Olmstead.
That won't be very far" replied
Lilley. amid laughter.
At this point Lilley was excused
temporarily and Representative Rich
mond P. Hobson was called.
After Hobson had been sworn he told
the committee that he preferred that
questions be asked him rather than
that he make statement. Questioned
by Olmsted. he said that he made
statement to LiIley something like that
of which Llley testified.
Did some person claiming to be a
representative of an Electric Boat Co.
approach you in the manner indicat-
ed?" asked Olmsted.
Yes, sir"
who was the party?"
Lawrence Speer of New York. 1t
was in November last Mr.. Speer saw
my secretary first and a few days later
called me on the telephone and it was
over the phone he spoke to me direct
ly. He had previously written me stat
ing that there was a matter of mutual
interest about which he wished to con-
fer with me and replied that I would
be glad to confer with him. He said
over the phone subsequently that he
understood I wanted to go on the naval
committee and that his company would
be able to help me-had influence to
bring that about if l stood right on
submarines"
Olmsted-"Did he say influence with
whom
Housewives. sir
Olmsted-'Wn nom Uiu ne SLY
Hobson-"I would rather not state that,
unless you insist"
Olmsted-"We would like to have You
state it."
Hobson-"He said the Speak ~
Hobson further said that Mr.. Saecr ill.,
formed him that he would have to look
out for Williams. the minority leader"
Olmsted- THE idea WIS that If you Sc
cured the support of Williams. they
would do the rest?''
Hobson-"Yes. sir; they would use their
influence to have me placed on the COM
mttee"
Olmsted-'T understand that the man,
ing of the Democratic members of the
committee was left to Williams by the
Speaker. If he was In your favor you
would not have much difficulty with the
Speaker
Hobson-'I have some ideas on the cub
ject. except in exceptional cases that the
Speaker would abide by the recommend
alton OF the minority leader"
Olmsted-"You were not one Of the OK
ceptional cases. We're You. Mr.. IIobson?"
Hohson-'I did not see any reason why
I should be-"
oHnSteu- u on were appointed Dy inc
Speaker on the recommendation Of Will
liams""
Hobson-"I think So"
Olmsted-"You did not require Speer's
aid or that of anyone else?"
Hobson-"That is a question l cannot
answer"
Olmsted-"Your appointment on the ma
val committee was obtained in the usual
way?"
Hobson-"I made an official applica-
ton tn Williams and to the Speaker
and | think that was all. | do not
Know whether any of my friends did
so; but 1t was known by them general
ly that l wanted that committee. I
told Mr.. Speer that did not want the
influence that his company had. and
made no promise to support any naval
proposition he might have TO offer"
Hobson said that he had seen Mr.
Speer since the conversation referred
to occurred and in reply to a question
by Littleton he said that he and Speer
We're classmates at Annapolis and that
they had belonged to the same corps
in the navy. Their relations had been