Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-24

questions except by submitting them
in writing, and even then they may
throw out those which they deem I'M
proper which means throwing out all
important questions. 1 believe. how
ever, that the press of the country is
already fully convinced"
Lilley explained that the letter writ
ten by his secretary, Mr.. Webster,
and that he did not see it until 1t ap-
peared in print. Mr.. Webster, he said,
had authority to sign his name to let
ters. At this point. Mr.. Webster was
called to the stand and admitted he
wrote the letters. He said he had gath
ercd his inference about the committee
from newspaper items and from con-
versations he had with a man who at
tended some of the hearings. The let
ter was not suggested by Mr.. Lilley.
he said.
Mr.. Lilley then resumed the stand
and was asked if he had repudiated
the letter
He replied that lie had not.
do you repudiate it now?" asked Ohm
sted.
II do not personally desire to make
that Charge" answered Lilley, land I
am perfectly willing to withdraw it,
ct is net a question of withdrawing
the charge" said Howard. I'VE want
to locate the responsibility for the sug-
gestions in that letter.
''This letter casts a reflection upon the
character of the House of Representatives
and the officers of it which cannot go I'M
noticed" interposed Chairman Boutell-
"a month has elapsed since you had
knowledge of its existence over your sig
tainly have been possible for you to ex-
plain it on the floor of the House or to
this committee, but no explanation was
forthcoming" a~
Il disclajm the responsibility" said Lii
ley. .gf
Brossard asked Lilley if he reprimanded
his secretary for writing such letter.
81 think I reprimanded my secretary"
| replied Lilley: Il am very sure 1 did
| Liiley said that he did not know Mr..
| Golf, and when asked il other letters of
a similar character had been written and
signed with his name, replied that there
might have been others but he did not
! know how many
"Will you let us have these letters?'
asked Olmsted.
| This question brought about the con-
f1ict between Lilley and the committee. 81
do not think it is within the scope of this
committee to examine my private CORE
spondence," said Lilley. Finally Lilley
promised to produce the letter from MI.
Golf and o copy of the reply. and the
question as to whether the production of
the letters will be required passed upon
by the committee later.
This incident being closed. temporarily
at least. Chairman Boutell introduced an
other matter of personal nature.
| The committee had in it's possession a
clipping from the Bridgeport, Ct, Stand
ard of March %. saying that it was re-
ported around the corridors of the cap
itol that Messrs. Boutell Olmsted. Roth
ermel and Podenberg left Washington the
day before for New London. Lilley be-
ing there at the time, to bring the po-
litical influence to bear on Lilley to stop
the investigation. OF the four persons
mentioned. Boutell and Olmsted are mem
bers of the committee and Messrs. Roth
ernel and Rodenberg are members of the
House. A telegram also was in posses
|
sent to Lilley on a train while he was
returning from Connecticut by his private
secretary, saying that these four con-
gressmen had bought tickets to New Lon.
don for the o'clock train. Boutell said
he would like to know what authority Mr.
Webster had for this telegram.
Olmsted left Washington that day for
Harrisburg and went to Springfield, ILL.,
to attend the state convention Mr.. Web.
| ster replied that his information was fur.
nished by two correspondents of Connec.
ticut papers.
The last incident of the day was the
admission by Mr.. Webster that he wrote
a letter to State Senator Frank Edinbor-
nugh at BAY City. Mich. asking for in.
formation as to any candidates that rar
against Congressman Loud two years
ago. Mr.. Webster said he signed the
name of Smith to this Ietter-Charles OF
John, he could not remember which. Mr.
Webster said that Lilley did not care to
write for the information desired so he
(Webster) originated the scheme Of writ
ing the letter. He never received q reply
| Lilley. he said. was not informed of this
occurrence until last Sunday night Dur
ing the day letter from Lilley to Secre
tary Metcalf in the interest of the Lake
Co. was read. In this communication
Lilley referred to Congressman Roberts
of Massachusetts. saying:
among the well-meaning members q,
Congress the Lake people have more
friends because they have never employ.
ed the methods of the Holland type peo
pie. 1t is well known that the company
Mr.. Roberts appears to represent is doing
more today in the employment of ques
tionable methods to intimidate members
Of Congress and the naval committee
than all other corporations in the United
States"
/ The comm naiftea ho In, saecia.>