The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-10
Congressman Makes Startling Charge Before Entering
 Upon Investigation
THREE DETECTIVES
 ARE ID BE SUMMONED
Martin w. Littleton of New York is Counsel in the Inquiry for tho Boat Company-Testimony
 To Be Begun Thursday.

Washington, March 9.-The special com- mittee of the House appointed by Speaker Cannon at the request of Representative Lilley of Connecticut to investigate the conduct of the Electric Boat company of New Jersey and their predecessor, the Holland Boat company, respecting the methods employed by said companies in connection with proposed legislation be- fore Congress- began it's investigation today. The committee, which is com posed of Representative Boutelle of H. linois, chairman; Stephens of Minnesota. Olmsted of Pennsylvania Broussard of Louisiana, and Howard of Georgia, met in room at the House office building at 1O30 o'clock. Before the committees had been called to order, Chairman Boh- telle stated that no witnesses had yet been summoned, but that Representative Lilley had been requested to appear be- fore the committee; that as yet the com- mittee has nothing before it. and will not be in position to summon witnesses until MT. Iilley lays the facts before thehm. After the committee had been called to order the clerk was directed by Chairman Boutelle to read the report of the eomnlit- tee on rules pursuant to which the investi- gatng committed was appointed When the clerk reached that portion of the re- port which said that Mr Lilley at his own instance, appeared before the committee on rules in connection with his charges, MT. Lilley interrupted to say that he had received a written notice from the clerk of that committee te appear before it.
 Detectives Mentioned.
 l When the reafing of the report lad ! been coneludad dFhairnan Bontelle called i upon Representative Lilley and asked him
 If he was prepared to go ahead and stats ! the facts in his possession Mr. Lflley 1 said he was not prepared to be examined at this time; that he desired to be represented by an attorney and had not yet secured one. He, however, submitted a number of documents to the committee. He stated he had been shadowed by detectives and said that in order that this shadowingl be stopped he would ask to nave summoned as witnesses three op- eratives connected with a local detective agency. He also submitted list of witt nesses that he desired to be summoned.
 MT. Lilley stated that he did not pro- pose to put himself in the attitude of A grand jury and present an indictment, but he would if permitted by the com- mttee and assisted by an attorney exam- inc these witnesses and help the commits tee in bringing out all the facts.
 MT. Boutelle stated it was the intention of the committee to have Mir. Liley first state what he knows of his knowledge concerning the charges and to allow hun to procure an attorney. Adjournment vas taken until Thursday.
 The committee went into executive ses- sion to consider Representative Lileys request in the matter of witnesses whom he desnres to have summoned.
 LittIeton in the Case. At the executive session of the commits tee 1t was decided that MT. Lilley shoald be the first witness called Thursday and action on his request that other witnesses be called was deferred until an investi- gation discoses that the persons named are connected in some way within the scope of the inquiry. His request that his attorney be allowed to examine and cross examine witnesses was denied. the eom- mttee deciding that the examination should be conducted by member of the committee and that all questions to bel asked the witness should be submitted in writing to this member Regarding the charge that MT. Lilley made that he was being shadowed by detectives, the chair man of the committee was authorized to inquire whether MT Lilley was being im- peded in bringing before the committee' anything within the scope of its authority by the alleged detectives and If in his' opinion he was being so impeded that tho committee would use every effort within it's power to protect him a member of the House and a witness before the committee.
 In addition to the request of MT. Liley that his attorney be allowed to examine witnesses the Electric Boat company sub mitted a like request. Martin w. Little-i ton and John B. Lindsay Of New fork were present at todays session as repre- hf he