The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-16
UGLY FOR LILLEY
Counsel for Like Company Say They
Prepared Hin ChnrEcs.

Counsel for Lake Company Say They
Prepared Hin ChnrEcs.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. April t5.-Thc
Lake Torpedo Boat Company was
placed In the attitude Of prosecutor
OF the Electric Boat Company in the
investigation now being conducted by
a special committee OF the House of
Representatives OF charges preferred
against the electric company by Rep
resentative Lilley. of Connecticut.
This was brought out at to-day's
session OF the committee when Abrs,r
r. Neff, the Washington representative
of the Lake Company. and former Sem
ator John NJ. Thurston general counsel
OF that company, admitted that they
had prepared most OF the questions that
had been submitted to the committee
by Mr.. Liiley to be asked the witnesses
for the electric company. as we'll as a
form OF statements that Mr.. Lilley had
presented to the committee.
Mr. Neff stated that the Lake Com.
pany had data IN It's possession from
which he framed a large number of
technical questions that were asked
the various witnesses and that others
had been suggested to him by rumors.
newspaper articles. etc. He said he
had conferred frequently with Mr.. LII
ley in the preparation Of those ques-
tions. and that Mr.. Lilley had sug>
gcsted various lines. along which he
wanted questions asked
Worked for Lilley.
rs II not true that substantially all
of Mr.. Lilley's formal statements to
this committee have been prepared
either by you or after consultation with
you and Senator Thurston?" asked Mr..
Howard
~ should say that a greater portion
OF them had been" was the reply.
rs 1t not also true that substantially
all the questions submitted by lIr.
Lilley to this committee to be pro-
pounded to the various witnesses have
been prepared either by you and SEN
tween you with Mr.. Lllley?"
Practically SO. yes
Mr.. Neff said he considered 1t his
duty to lend all assistance possible to
the clearing up OF the submarine situa-
ton.
Mr.. Lilley at various times has sub
mitted lists of questions. addressed
to the chairman OF the committee and
signed. and which have wound UP with
the following statement:
Not being an attorney or having an
opportunity under the rules of the
committee to have any of said wit
S-No''i'iVN NY utloIUeSSs L am
unable to state more specifically to the
line OF inquiry I desire to have pur-
sued. and the responsibility of sucl,
examination must remain, as decided
by the committee. upon the members
thereof
Dictated Questions.
Mr Thurston Informed the commit
Tee that all lists OF questions with this
committee had been dictated by him.
he also said that he had dictated the
statement Mr.. Lilley presented to the
Committee on Rules, as we'll as nun
Der or other statements he had pre-
sented to the investigating committee.
MT. Thurston told of luncheon
given at Washington hotel by Mr.
:. e Lake during the past Christmas
holidays, at which the entire sConnecti-
| icul.delegatton sur. OF both houses and one
or Two others were present.
me purpose of the luncheon. he Sail
vas to discuss with this deIerntinr
a1 .ns question of having the delegatior
ASK k tne Secretary of the Navy to give
sne Lake Company chance under tl,a
uasaa Ia approximation bill of last yea.
re ta said the members were favorabls
TO calling on the Secretary, and thnt
some time in January a number ii
them did go to see him in the interesi
or the Lake Company. It is under the
provisions of this bill that the Lake
company has secured the contract Ia
nuiid one boat, no money to be paid
untli the boat demonstrates that it is
equal 70 submari ines now owned or con
ernment. The hearings will be Con-
tlnued to. morrow N'''1