New-York tribune., 1908-03-20
SUBMARINE INQUIRY.
Denial By the President -Metcolf
and Cdpps Testify.

Washington. March ls-Secretary Metcalf and
Admiral Capps. chief the bureau OF
struction Of the Navy Department testified to-day
before the special committee Of the House which
is investigating the charges made against the Eec-
:Tic Boat Company by Representative Liley, Of
Connecticut Both said that they DID believe
the Electric Boat Company had made excessive
profit the contracts already awarded II,
did they believe il would make q excessive profit
any future contracts il might obtain. Secretary'
Metcalf explained the letting of Il contract TO the
Lake company, saying that II conditional one.
none! 20 be paid 10 the company unless
it built boat that eqlIailed In speed and stearning
radius the best submarine possessed by the
government under contract for It. Admiral Caprs
ssid The navy getting its construction work
2 low figure.
Mr.. LiIley the committee affidavit
signed by Clement Z. Adams, dated Bridge
port Conn March Is I90s in which Mr.. Adams
swears that while he engaged IN business in
Washington in the summer Of 190bi J. 7. c. Archi-
bald represented him that he CORE
spondent for Golfers Weekly" and that he had
been appointed by the President visit certain
cities and towns the Pacific Coast and report
on the condition of the defences. Mr.. Archi-
aid said him that ne had visited certain
cities and the Pacific Coast and had re-
ported the President that he had appeared be
certain chambers of commerce. boards of trade
and other associations Of business and cti
zens had addressed them the advantages 10 he
gained by the purchase by the government OF sub
ma srine boats and that certain petitions and ad-
dresses made Congress ana the members thereof
by these different organizations We're caused by the
efforts OF Archibald. AZ later period. according
To the affidavit Nj. Adams showed to Archibald
newspaper article submarine boats wherein tho
Lake boa. criticised. and Archibald Informed
him that he OF The articles and that
the criticism of the Lake boat was caused by re-
quest from Lawrence !. Spear. officer OF the
Electric Boat Company. and that the request was
granite because Archibald under obligations 20
Spear and tn. Electric Boat Company.
ACCOMMODATING tho affidavit the following iet-
tor from. President Roosevelt denying that Arch
bald was ever appointed employed by him. or. so
far as he by any one else connected With the
administration.
The White House washington: March IS .. iso3
tion OF this morning. Mir. Archibald never was
no9 vas Re ever APPOINTED or employed BY any
one else connected with the administration Some
for about TWO minutes and said that he was go
55,a M ~ 3I defence on The Pacifc especially l be
Iieve. in reference TO Puget Sound. and that he
ot ,5st be Wnud Iiks TO send me a report OF
he found / answered him that. Of course. should
he very glad 70 receive such report from MN
or any other man who might investigate the sub
later whie tTansnttsd 0zdh to Jhs s. saay
letters from men who have tod me o! ga
found or Of suggestions which they believed were
irnrortayt II is the usual course; II was followed
Sincerely yours. ttiE1DDofhE f.C~Cl>r1 ~ ' r-!t
Hon George L LIley House OF Representatives.
REPRESENTATIVE Butler. OF Pennsylvania. denied
that he had called on Secretary Aetcaf II con-
uection with submarine boats
Edward [. Clarkson. private secretary TO Repre-
sentative Hobson. testified that Lawrence i. Spear
told him that the Electric Boat Company had in
H,ence with Speaker Cannon and could use II 70
helm FIobson get the Naval Affairs COMMITTEES.
bgt before doing so would have 10 know how he
stood on the proposition in which he was interested
the question OF submarine boats.
Representative Clayton, of Alabama testified that
the Alabama delegation in Congress indorsed Hob
son for assignment to Naval Affairs Committee,
and = X. Busbey, secretary 20 Speaker Cannon
said that the only request made 20 the Speaker To
appoint Eobson that committee was maoe oy
Mr. Williams. the minority leader.
The public sessions of the committee we're ad-
io,,rned until next Thursday.
Bridgeport Conn. March le,-Clemeut + Adams.
OF this city. said to-day that he had given an
affidavit Representative Llley to representa-
lions made to him by Mr.. Archibald. and that he
was ready stand by it MT. Adams Is employed
by the Lake Submarine Company.