Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-02
LILLEY'S CASE
s. |. Berger First Witness Called To.Day-F. [. Taylor Says His
 Was Not a Mailed Fist
FROST MAKES DENIAL

INUO1 WlHAGO ULlV1Hu
 Washington, April 2.-Silas L Berger, formerly president of the Berger Sub Surface Torpedo Co and now consulting engineer of that com pany, testified to-day before the sub marine Investigating committee. He said that he had been informed that the pending naval appropriation bill contained an appropriation of $45O,- 900 for sub surface boats, which had been repaired by Representative Hob- son, the only member of the commit tee with whom he was acquainted; and he added that Representative Littlefield had also introduced a bill in the company's behalf.
 Frank l.. Marlborough of Bay City, former private secretary to Congressman Loud and now can didate to succeed Loud, testified that in the early part of 1906, it appears that w. D. Gordon of Michigan was employed by the Holland Submarin Boat Company as a lobbyist.
 From what MT Loud toid me he led me to believe that he was great ly annoyed and angered at the way MT Gordon was pressing on him in the interests of that company. l remember very well that MT Loud complained bitterly of the treatment he was accorded by Gordon and was very indignant.
 The only thing l can remember that appeared improper was the inn pressio nleft upon me by MT Loud S statement that MT Gordon was i'm posing upon him and I did not think it was right.
 Franklyn A. Taylor gave evidence to the select committee in the sub' marine investigation yesterday and conflict appeared between his state ments and those of MT Lilley as tt the conversation between them al several interviews. Before the com mittee on rules MT Lilley had testi' fled that an intimate friend, a life long friend, a manufacturer of his town, had shook his fist at him wher he passed on the other siGe of the street in Waterbury because he hat not voted for submarines of tho Electric Boat Co.
 MT Taylor laughed when the testi mony was read and acknowledged that he was the man referred to. II, had shaken his fist at MT Lilley ever. time te sSN. him, but it was not 1 mailed fist. It was just mocl menace. which MT Lilley understood perfectly. Their cordial relations haC never been interrupted. He had re peatedly asked Mir Lilley, the witness said frankly, to vote for submarines and he thought it was perfectl, proper for him to do so. MT Lille! had discussed the matter with hin frankly and on many occasions in 1 period of two or three years.
 Mir Taylor declared he was inter ested in submarines only as a bras manufacturer, whose business it wa to supply some of the parts. He de nied having told Lilley that he coul, get large contracts from the Eleetri Boat Co if the submarine appropria tion was made.
 Elihu B. Frost, referred {, throughout the investigation as th, moving spirit in the Electric Boat c contracts and legislation, told tn committee that he had the genera management of the boat company and he had employed attorneys sub iect either to the approval of his lav partner or MT Rice, president of tn company.
 Mir Howard asked series O questions of Mir Frost, which were il effect as follows:
 Did you directly or indirectly con 1 tribute or cause to be contributed ol account of your company any contri | button to any congressional fund?"'
 "To the democratic national cam paign fund"
 gro the campaign fund of an! member of congress?"
 Did you or did any one at you | instance, directly or indirectly. or di, 1 any person of your knowledge en i deayor to influence any member 0 congress by gifts or money or througl entertainment to vote for Legislation in the interest of your company" To all these questions MT Frost re piled emphatically in the negative.
 The last question was repeated an made to apply to officers of the nav | department or any officer of the nav instead of any member of congress Mir Howard explaining that he mean | by influence" improper influence.
 Mir Frost answered No" emphati cally. He and his associates had pre- sented openly every possible argu ment to convince the navy depart ment of the merits of his boat.
 The charge made by Mir Lilley tha he had spent large sums to infiuenc legislation and that he frequente Washington during sessions of con gress Mir Frost said was false. :"