The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1908-03-13
Charge made BY Connecticut sngressman Con
cerning Submarine CONTRACT IS Being In.
yestigated.--speaker Cam 3 Name
Dragged Into Case as Ben Under
Influence Of Boat Co. s Lobbyists

x y = "
Washington, D. c.. March 12.
The Lilley8 submarine boat inquiry
was begun in earnest yesterday by
the special house committee. Repre-
sentative Lilley began the testimony
by reading q long written statement
part Of which was in the nature of
an affidavit, in which he outlined his
charges. When he had completed
this formal presentation, he was
questioned at length by Representa-
tive Olmstead Of the committee, who
was designated by Chairman Bou-
tell to perform that service.
During the afternoon session Re-
preventative Hobson testified that he
had been approached by man repre-
senting the Electric Boat company,
who told him that If he would sup
port the claims Of that company be-
fore congress, the company could
bring influence to bear upon Speaker
Cannon to have him (Hobson) ap-
pointed to the committee on naval at
fairs. fs
At the suggestion Of Chairman Bou
tell the names Of attorneys represent
# ing the interested parties were en-
tered on the record. Mr. Lilley in-
troduced Frank II. Brown OF Norwich
and State Senator Stiles Hudson OF
Bridgeport, Conn, as his counsel.
Martin T. Littleton Of New York an
nounced that John d. Lindsay, also
of New York, and himself represented
the Electric Boat company. In re-
ply to one of Mr.. Olmstead's questions
Mr.. Li1ley said that the Electric Boat
company had no plant and no assets.
He declared that the company did not
build boats, it's only business being
to secure contracts for the boats and
then sublet the contracts.
Concerning Mr.. Lilley's assertions
in his prepared statement that NO
report had been made to the house
of the investigation Of the Lessler
charges by the naval committee, Mr..
Olmstead called his attention to the
fact that such a report had been
made, and said that it had shown
that the representatives of the Hol-
land company had made improper oV-
ertures to a member Of congress.
Mr.. Lilley gave the names Of the
Connecticut manufacturers and the
attorneys who had asked him, accord
ing to his statement to vote for the
appropriation for submarine boat leg.
islation. The manufacturers, he said
We're franklin II. Taylor, Of Water.
bury, ard Charles Ferry OF the Bridge
port Brass company; their attorney
was John T. Kellogg Of waterbury.
Mr. Lilley said that Mr.. Kellogg
attorney for the Electric Boat com
pany, made am appointment for Mr.
{ Ferry with Mr.. Lilley, but Mr.. Kel
logg was not present at the interview
At previous visit, Mr.. Lilley said
4 MT. Kellogg had handed him q writ
ten form Of the provision that woult
probably be offered In the naval con
mtttee while preparing the naval bill
# OF the last session. It was offered, b
said, but he did not remember b.
Whom It was Mr.. Lilley's impress
sion that he supported that resolu
ton. II was for open legislation
ne said. leaving the letting Of th,
contracts with the naval department
The one submitted this year shut on
any possibility Of competition.
MT. Lilley said that he had beel
approached by representatives of th
Lake Boat company. who asked hin
II he would stand TOR open legisIa
tion, meaning that II any appropria
tion was made 1t should be left 81
that all people could have fai
chance to obtain the business. MI
Lilley said he would.
Tells Committee Secrets.
Concerning the proceedings In ..h,
committee, Mr.. Lilley said Mr.. Pad
gett tried to have an amendmen
attached to the provision offered b.