Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-20
THE LlLLEY HEARING.
CONTINUED From Page One)


Rep. Lilley did not attend tOdays
sitting of the committee except at the
opening.
The public sessions of the committee
were adjourned until next Thursday.
Washington, March 19.-Secretary
Of the Navy Metcalf and Rear Admiral
Capps were among those who appeared
today before the submarine boat inves-
tigatipg committee to testify in relation
to the charges made by Rep. Iilley that
wrongful methods had been used by the
Electric Boat Co., to secure legislation
in Congress The committee had plan
ned in consequence with the request OF
Rep. Hobsun t. call his secretary, Ed
gar ClarkSon, as the first witness today
but the appearance of Secretary Met
calf and Admiral Caps in response to
invitations from the committee changed
this plan.
Both Secretary Metcalf and Admiral
Caps brought with them navy de-
partment documents and records AS re.
Iuested by the commission.
Secretary Metcalf was questioned
concerning the section of his annual
report of 1907 concerning submarine
boats, including the report of the board
which conducted the trials of submar-
ines aid which recommended the adop-
ton of the Octopus type. He said that
in the same annual report rccOn,lnen-
dalton was r,ade for four additional
submarine boats of the same type as
those recommended as the result of the
competitive tests. provided more sat
isfactory type was not developed in
the meantime. That was the only re-
port he made on the subject.
Please state your view as to the
value to the naval service of submar
inc boats" suggested Mr.. Olmstead
and the secretary replied: Il would
prefer that statement be made by the
experts of the departments. made re-
concentrations for the vessels and
would not have done 50 had l not
thought they We're necessary
Admiral Dewey. he said. signed the
report Of the board recommending SUBJ
marine boats.
In reply to a question as to President
Roosevelt's attitude. Mr.. Metcalf said
he did not have the Presidents mes
sage with him. Secretary Metcalf said
the contract for the Lake Cos boat was
entered into by the department on GER
tain guarantees. That companys bid
was $s25 200, and the department agreed
to pay $4,000 for one of their boats To
approximate 80 tons. no money to be
paid until after the boat had been test
ed and developed speed equal To the
speed of the best submarine boat
owned by the government.
"Vow was it the contract was given for
a boat that was a loser in the comDeti-
tive trial?' asked Mr.. Olmstead.
Some question was raised as to the
discretion vested in the department and
the department referred certain ques-
tons to the attorney general. who decid-
ed that the secretary OF the navy had au-
tliority to enter into contract with the
Lake Company. The contracts for SUBJ
marine boats was made under tho act of
Congress authorizing the expenditure OF
certain amount of money for subma-
rines''
who was it that asked yoI to submit
the questions to the attorney Senelal?"
Former Senator Thurston. the repre-
sentative of the Lake Boat Co."
''rid any member of Congress ask you
to submit the questions?"
IL think not"
DO you remember whether any MEM
Der of Congress called upon you in favor
OF or In opposition to the letting of the
contract to the Lake Boat Coz
"A number of congressman called on
me, not with reference to eting the con-
tract. but regarding the opinion of the
attorney general and the question Of the
discretion that was vested in me under
the act"
who called upon you?"
OF course I am speaking from memo
ry. l think Representatives. Butler. Rob-
erts. I.oudenslaser. Sherman. I.illey,
Hughes and Sperry. and Senators Bulke-
ley and Erandegee. I think Representa-
yves Hutler end Lcudenslager called af-
Ter the awarding of the contract. the 9TH
ers hefore the contract was signed"
IN the interest OF whou:"
ihey, asked me about the attitude OF
Tue department. told them what had
uohe ana what l proposed to do. Nc
eossestions were made by them to me
~ any way. They simply felt. they said
was 10 'he interest of the government
10 nave two companies building boats"
N.Y. Metcaif and Chief Constrrcto,
ca'ps both declared they knew Of NO ex
cesave profits being realized on .he sph
marihes and the former held that III,
aaVv department should be allowed !,
arrange the details OF the types Of boats
admiral Capps quoted unofficial fig
ues 10 snow that the English sub
marine boats have cost that countr
more than this class of boats have %.
this government.
Regarding the number Of snnr. -, =
poats TINS government could use. AID
.iirai Capps said that the addition a
ten would be by no means in excess a