The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-13
TO BRIBE HOBSON
Alabama Congressman Testifies
That Attempt Was Made
In the Interest of the Electric
Boat Company.
GOOD PLACE FOR HIM.
On Naval Committee Would Be
Got From Cannon
Ii He Stood Right on the Sub.
ject of Submarines.
aOOD PLACE FOR HIM.

slon, march 13.-The Lilley
submarine boat inquiry has begun in
earnest by special house committee.
representative Iilley was heard at
length He began his testimony nv
reading long typewriter statement.
d part OF which was in the nature of an
aAioaVlt, IN which he outlined his
charges in detail. When he had COM
pieted this formal presentation he was
questioned at length by REPRESENTATIVE
oimstead of the committee who was
designated by Chairman BoutelIe 10
perform that service. During the af
ternoon session Representative Rich
mond p. Hobson testified that he had
peen approached by man representing
the Electric Boat company, who told
MIN that If he would support the claims
OF that company before congress the
company could bring influence to bear
upon Speaker Cannon to have him
thopsonl appointed on the COMMITTEES
on naval affairs.
In reply to one of Mr. Olmstead's
questions Mr.. Lilley said the Electric
Boat company had no plant and no as
sets. He declared that that company
did not build boats. its only business
De1ng TO secure contracts for boats and
then sublet the contracts.
Mr.. Lilley gave the names of the Con-
| necticut manufacturers and the attor-
| ney who had asked him, according to
| his statement to vote for an appropria-
| ton for submarine boat legislation.
The manufacturers he said were Frank
| lin H. Taylor of Waterbury and A. NJ.
Ferris of the Bridgeport Brass COM
pany; the attorney was John T. Kellogg
| of Waterbury.
| Mr.. Lilley said it was his understand
| ing that there was an agreement be-
he al ri hoe
| Vickers Sons & Maxim of England who
are building English submarine boats,
| whereby all the improvements made by
| the Electric Boat company are turned
over to the English company. but under
l which all Of the improvements made by
| Vickers Sons & Maxim are not given
to the Electric company.
/ A discussion arose between Mr.. Ohm
stead and Mr.. Lilley over that portion
of LilIey's statement relating to news
have taken in creating what Mr.. Iilley
termed a sentiment for submarines,
particularly on the Pacific coast.
| "While,'' he said ST have no direct
testimony to offer on that subject am
told that they Ghe Electric Boat COM
pany) have men to attend meetings of
boards of trade chambers of commerce,
| ETC., and who get up in their meetings
and make addresses on the unprepared-
ness of the Pacific coast and the fear
that the japanese will be over on the
next boat and thus get resolutions
passed instructing their congressman to
vote for large number of submarines %
| Congressman HobsOn testified to
Lawrence Speer of New York telling
him last November the Electric Boat
company could be able to help Hobson
to get a place on naval committee If he
"stood right on submarines" that 1t had
influence with Speaker Cannon, Mr..
Hobson said:
'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.
/ Mr.. Hobson said that he had seen Mr..
Speer since this conversation occurred
and in reply to a question propounded
by MIR Litt1eton said that he and MT
Speer had been classmates at Annapolis
and that they had belonged to the same
corps in the navy. Their relations had
been cordial
+ Mr.. Lilley was recalled. He was ques-
toned by Mr.. Olmstead regarding the
that he was being shadowed by detec-
tiyes and was asked if they were
hampering him in his work before the
committee.
"I have had a very large number OF
men shadowing me since the resolution
was introduced said Mr.. Lilley. ,'One
man has been standing near my door
daily in this office building and two
more usually at the entrances. FIRE.
quently have run into three there Al
| the hotel there have never been less
I than three, SO the house detective tells
me. The detective stationed at the
! house of representatives says there
have been at least six in there. 1 did
not protest against this proceeding un-
, til they began to shadow the members
l of my family and Major Sylvester. the
2 chief of police here, told me he would
, have them arrested if I so desired
The committee adjourned until II
O'clock Monday morning.