The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-21
Connecticut Representative h. troduces Resolution To- day Asking h.
 quiry.
SENSATION IS PREDICTED
Lilley Asserts Boat Builders Dictate Nations Naval Policy Through Tampering With Leg
 islation. {

Washington, Feb. 20.-In the house tomorrow Representative George l.. Lilley of Connecticut. a member of the committee on naval affairs, will introduce resolution asking for the appointment of special committee of five members of the house to inyesti- gate the conduct of the makers of the Holland submarine boats, respecting their methods in connection With past and proposed legislation before con gress.i'
 The resolution is drawn forth by the action of the house naval committee in providing for eight Submarines in the pendingbill, instead of the four asked for by the navy department. The house is expected to act favorably on MT. Lilley's request. The result ing investigation, every one expects, will be highly sensational if it is rigidly conducted and the probe goes deep.
 MT, Lilley said this afternoon: The time having arrived when the Electric Boat company of New Jersey instead of the navy department is dictating the naval program of the country, I believe it is time for an investigation into their methods, to let the people of the United States see fcr them- selves how this electric boat com pany, makers of the Holland boat. is pnah1ad fa rr .~e president. the secretary of the navy, and the navy board, and substitute d naval program of its own.'
 Following is the full text of the Lilley resolution:
 Resolved That special committee of five members of the house be ap- pointed by the speaker to investigate the conduct of the Electric Boat com pany of New Jersey and their prede- cessors, the Holland Boat company, respecting the methods employed by said companies in connection with past and proposed legislation before congress.
 Provided, That said committee may employ stenographer and one clerk. and is hereby authorized and empow- cred to send for persons and papers, to compel the attendance of witnesses and to administer oaths, and that the expenses incurred hereunder shall be paid, out of the contingent fund of the house on vouchers approved by tho chairman of said committee;
 Provided, further that said cori- mittee shall report their findings to this house at such time as said inves- tigation may have been concluded.
 Ever since the Naval committee of the House voted to put in the Naval appropriation bill an item for eight submarine boats, instead of the four asked in the department estimates; there had been flood of ugly gossip about the Capitol. The action of the committee was unprecedented. Never before has the Navy dcpartwent's building programs. always generous. been voluntarily. increased
 The nomi nal reason assigned by members of the House committee for their unexpected action vas the great numbe, of petitions received from chambers of commerce and other civic organizations on the Pacific slope.
 Undoubtedly many petitions were re- ceived asking that number of sub- marine boats for harbor defense be provided for and sent to Pacific ports. Many persons here are firmly persuad- ed that these resolutions and petitions were inspired by agents of the sub marine boat makers, who have been active in the Far West. It had been