The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-09
PROBING BOAT SCANDAL
House Committee Begins Investiga-
ton of New Jersey Company.

washington, March 9.-The spec
tal committee of the house appointed
by Speaker Cannon, at the request of
Representative Lflley (Conn.) to in
yestigate the conduct of the Electric
Boat company of New Jersey and its
predecessor, the Holland Boat COM
pany, respecting the methods en-
ployed by said companies in connec-
tlon with past or proposed legislation
before congress began its investiga-
ton today
The committee which is COM
posed of Representative Boutelle
(Ill.), chairman; Stephens (Minn. },
Olmstead ePa-), Broussard (La.3 and
Howard (Ga.) met in a room at the
house office building at 1880 o'clock
Before the committee had been called
to order, Chairman Boutelle stated
that no witnesses had yet been sum-
moned, but that Representative Lii
ley had been requested to appear be-
fore the COMMITTEES; that as yet the
committee has nothing before it and
will not be in position to summon
witnesses, until Mr.. Lilley lays the
facts before them.
After the committee had called to
order, the clerk was directed by
Chairman BoutelIe to read the report
OF the committee on rules, pursuant
to which the investigating committee
was appointed When the clerk
reached that portion of the report
instance appeared before the commit
tee on rules in connection with his
charges, Mr.. Ii1ley interrupted to say
that he had received a written notice
from the clerk of that committee to
appear before it.
IdIley Before Committee.
When the reading of the report had
been concluded Chairman Boutelle
called on Representative Lilley and
ad hi i'm 1aa cd tn cr0
ahead and state the facts in his pos
session. Mr.. Liliey 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 num-
ber of documents to the committee.
He stated that he had been shadow
ed by detectives and said that in or
der that this shadowing be stopped
he would ask to have summoned as
witnesses three operatives connected
with local detective agency. He also
submitted a list of witnesses that he
desired to be summoned as follows:
Isaac L. Rice, president of the
Electric Boat company to bring with
him all the books and accounts show
ing payments made to attorneys and
employees for work performed or to
be performed at Washington, or in
any congressional district of the Unit
ed States; also vouchers, checks,
showing checks issued for such en-
ployment; also vouchers and memo
randums showing payments by Elihu
B. Frost for expenses of every kind
and character at Washington or else
where in promoting legislative appro-
priations and the procurement of
contracts, also all books, vouchers,
checks or other evidence of any mon
eys contributed by Isaac L. Rice per-
sonally to the campaign fund of any
political party or in any congressional
district Elihu B. Frost, Maurice
Bartnett, treasurer of the Electric
Boat company; Ernest Tredway, jr,
assistant treasurer, Norman G. john
son; of New York, attorney and s. S.
McNear of this city.
The request for the appearance OF
these gentlemen is in practically the
same terms as that for the appearance
of Mr.. Rice. He also asked that sub
poenas be issued for the following:
Marion Butler c. B. Creecy, H. W.
Creecy, B. F. Sands. all of this city;
Dr. s. r. Kerr of Chicago; Frank L.
Meinbrough of Bay City, Mich, and w.
B. Gordon, of Midland, Mich.
Mr.. 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
mittee and assisted by an attorney ex
anime these witnesses and help this
committee to the fullest extent posi-