The Washington times., 1908-05-20
Charges of Corruption in
Congress Without Founda-
ZION, 1t Is Said.
REPORT SCORES
CONNECTICUT MAN
Characterized as Tool Of Boat
Company, Who Knew ACCUSE
tions Were Untrue.

> '
gTeSs are false.
EXcoriated and denounced, Repre-
sentative George L. Lilley, of Con-
necticut, author of the charges of
corruption of Congress by the Elec-
tric Boat Company, was described TO
the House r5day as a man who had
violated his obligations as a member
of the House, sworn to what he
knew to be false, and acted in bad
faith.
It came in the report to the House
from the special committee which
investigated the Lilley charges from
March 9 to April 80.
The report, which covers eighty
seven printed pages, refuted all the
charges, was signed by all FIVE mem
bers of the -Bouteu Of
Illinois, Olmsted of Pennsylvania,
Stevens Of Minnesota, Howard Of
Georgia, and Broussard of Louisi-
ana. Seldom, if ever, has a member
been subjected to such fierce criti-
eism as was disclosed by the read
ing Of this report.
While il was being read the mem
bership of the House sat in absolute
silence. The Speaker, solemn and
.regretful, was proof enough Of the
deep import Of what was happening
the destruction in Congress of a
felloW-member' reputation.
Used as a Tool.
Bis motives were attacked. his naeth-
DDS censured, his veraeity condemned.
and his honesty turned into nothing
ness The report said in plain terms
that the Connecticut member had al
lowed himself to be used as a tool by
the Lake Torpedo Boat Company, the
bitter rival Of the Electric Boat Com
pany. and that the investigation OF LII
ley's charges against members of Con-
gress and new spaper men had been
started by the Lake people as an attack
on the Electric Boat Company.
Some Of the conclusions Of the COM
mittee. which fell ominOusly clear from
the lips OF the reader in the House TO-
day, were as follows:
THAT Mr.. LIlleys resolution was not
introduced in good faith.
That Mr.. LAley had no information
10 justify his charges made before the
Committee on Rules.
That Mr.. LiIley acted in bad faith
in making his charges before the Com
mittee on Rules.
That Mr.. Lilley acted in bad faith IN
stating before this committee that he
had made no charge rejecting upon
members OF the House before the Com
mittee on Rules.
Acted in Bad Faith.
THAT Mr.. LIIey allowed himself 70
be used as an instrument OF the Lake
Torpedo Boat Company in its rivalry
and attack upon a competing company.
That Mr.. Llley acted in bad faith
in cOncealIng from your committee the
real parties in interest who were behind
this investigation and furnishing him
with information and evidence.
That the charge that the four battle.
ship proposition was defeated by the
adoption % the submarine clause in
the Naval Committees bin was false;
that Mr.. Lilley, as a member Of the
Naval Commit se, knew that the charge
was false. and that he refused to main
tain the charge before this committee.
That Mr.. L.illey violated his obHga-
ton as a member OF the House in form
ulating and urging before this COM
mlttee the groundless charges against
Representative Loud.
That Mr.. LiIley acted n contempt OF
this House IN destroying : ne forged let
ter from Webster 20 marlborough in
stead OF delivering II 10 this committee.
That Mr Lilley violated his obliga-
tions as a member OF this House in per
hitting his clerk 10 send out letters
in Mr.. Lilley's name rejoicing upon the
honor and integrity or members OF this
House.
THAT Mr.. LiIley acted in contempt OF
this House in not disavOWing openly
upon the floor Of the House the letter
10 Con, published over his signature.
rejecting upon the honor and integrity
OF members OF this House.
That Mr.. Lilley's charge OF eXces-
sive profits In the submarine contracts
was based on fictitious nsures, com
posed by an agent OF the Lake Torpedo
Boat Company by a perversion Of ths
testimony of Admiral Bowles in 1902
Knew Charge Was False.
THAT the charge that an excessive
profit in the submarine contracts was
due TO special and exclusive legislation
in favor Of one company was false. and
Mr.. Idlley knew that the charge was
false when he made it.
THAT no representatives of the press
have been bribed or corrupted by the
Electric Boat Company.
That no member Of the Committee on
Naval Affairs has been induced BY the
officers OF the Electric Boat Company
or any one else to act in his Official ca
pacity from corrupt or improper mo-
tives-
THAT no member OF the House has
been induced by the officers OF the
Electric Boat Company or any one else
10 act in his official capacity from
corrupt or improper motives"
Referring to Lilley's motive in max