The Washington herald., 1908-03-13


against which Representative George l..
Lilley has said nasty things. yesterday
came into prominence through the mouth
of Capt. Richmond Pearson Hobson.
when the blower-up of the Merrimae re-
ported that Mr.. Spear had intimated to
him that he could, through his company.
influence Speaker Cannon.
Capt Hobson's statement concerning
the Speaker. whom nobody believes 10
have been Influenced by any boat com
pany created. however. the sensation OF
the day. Previous to the testimony OF
the former sea dog and present Repre-
sentative in Congress from the sixth
Alabama district, the hearing OF the
special investigation committee had been
rather devoid OF interest and seemingly
proftless for all concerned
Capt. Hobson's testimony concerning
M. Cannon. and bis utterances concern
ing the influence. which ne alleges the
representative OF the Electric Boat Com
pany intimated that # would exert IN his
behalf with a high parsonage. is the
first real backing that Representative
Liley's allegations have received.
On examination, Capt. Hobson said he
had received letters from Air. Spear ask
ing for an appointment in regard TO a
matter OF mutual interest" lie had not
granted The appointment. Eventually
Mr. Spear got him on the telephone and
told him he had understood he cant.
Hobson) wished 10 be appointed on the
Naval Committee. Mr. Spear added that
his company had influence with the
Speaker. and ~ Hobson would vote
right" on the submarines. Il would be
used 10 get him on the committee The
proposition was that Capt Hobson should
receive the support OF Mr. Williams. Of
Mississippi, for the Naval Committee. and
the Electric 2 Company would do
the rest"
An 10 Mr. Williams.
Mr.. Williams f., the minority leader In
the House, is be not?" inquired Mr.. Ohm
sted
YES. sir"
so that his Endorsement Of you for the
Naval Committee would be equivalent 70
your appointment would it not?''
Il do not know"
1T is the custom Of the Speaker 20
appoint the minority OF the committee ac-
cording to the recommendations Of the
minority leader. is it not?"
I believe it is
80 that II Mr.. Spear managed 10 Get
you to get the Endorsement OF Mr.. VII
liams in consideration Of his doing the
rest there would not be much left for
him to do?"
4 suppose not; I do not know"
What reply did you make 10 Mr..
Spear?"
Il told him I did not care for the IN
fluence OF his company"
Mr.. Hobson stated that he was ap-
pointed TO the Naval Committee on his
official application. Il was not known to
his friends in the House that he wanted
10 get on that committee. He had not
urged his own appointment. ana he did
not know whether any OF his friends had
urged II.
Asked how we'll he knew Mr.. Spear,
and what their relations had been, he re-
piled that they had been schoolmates.
and spent three years together in the
Naval Academy as members Of the same
construction corps Their relations had
been cordial as relations are between Of
fcers and members Of the same corps.
About the SIeuthS.
Mr. Lilley then told the committee
something more about a complaint. made
some days ago. that he had been
shado~ed by detectives. Mr.. Lilley said
fully dozen men had been placed on
his trail. One stood constantly at his
Office door in the House Office building.
Two were on duty at the outer door of
the Office building. The Sergeant-at-arms
of the House had told him there were
half dozen shadowing him around. The
hotel detective at the Willard knew three
Of them were stationed at the hotel
Personally. he said he did not care
about it. but his family had been placed
under surveillance also. He thought the
committee should ascertain who was en-
plOying all those men.
Representative Gregg, OF Texas. asked
he did not appear as a witness. but merely
TO refute a statement made by Mr.. LIlley
concerning him.
He knows as much about that as he
does about anything else he talks about, !"
Mr.. Gregg added hotly.
The attention OF the Texas REPRESENT
ative had been called to the testimony
Of Mr.. Lilley wherein he had said that
an attorney for the Electric Boat Com
pany was employed in Mr.. Greggs dis
trict TO influence Congressional legisla-
ton.
There is not a ward of truth in il.
Mr.. Gregg declared. The statement is
made out of whole cloth" The attorney
mentioned as living an his district, r. f.
Coward. lived in Dallas. 200 miles from
his district. Mr.. Gregg believed he was
in Washington now. He had never talked
10 him about submarines, and did not
know that he knew anything of SUBJ
marines.
Mr. Gregg Questioned.
Mr.. Gregg was asked if any one had
ever spoken TO him of submarine legis-
lation, either in his district or IN Wash
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