The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-13
Lilley Tells Of the Attempts
Made to Influence His
Vote in Congress.
.IIOBSON APPROACHED
BY HIS OLD CLASSMATE
Told That Electric Boat Company
Would Have Him Put on
Naval Committee Ii He
Would Favor Submarines.
Investigation to
Go Deep.

WY ? yASHINGToN. D. c., March IA.
Nv The Lilley submarine boat
AA/ inquiry was begun in ear
Wv nest to-day by special
House committee. Repre-
sentative Lilley was heard at length.
He began his testimony by reading
long typewriter statement, part OF
which was in the nature of an affi-
davit. in which he outlined his charges
in detail. When he had completed this
formal presentation he was questioned
by Representative Olmsted. of the
committee, who was designated by
Chairman Boutell.
During the afternoon session Repre-
sentative Richmond Pearson Hobson
testified that he had been approached
by man representing the Electric
Boat Company, who had told him that
IL he would support the claims of that
company before Congress, the company
could bring influence to bear on
Speaker Cannon to have him (Hohson)
appointed on the Committee on Naval
Affairs.
At the suggestion of Chairman
Boutell, the names of the attorneys
representing interested parties wefe
entered on the record. Mr.. Lilley in
troduced Frank T. Brown. of Norwich.
and State Senator Stiles Judson. of
Bridgeport. Conn. as his counsel. Mar
tin W. Littleton, of New York, an
nounced that John D. Lindsay, also OF
New York, and himself represented
the Electric Boat Company. In reply
to one of Mr.. Olmsted's questions. Mr..
Lilley said the Electric Boat Company
had no plant and no assets. He de-
clared that that company did not build
boats, its only business being to secure
contracts for boats and then sublet the
contracts.
At the request of Mr.. olmsted. Mr..
Lilley gave the names OF the Con-
necticut manufacturers and the at
torney who had asked him, according
| to his statement. TO vote for an appro-
| priation for submarine boat fesfsia-
ltion. The manufacturers. he said. were
Franklin H. Taylor. OF Waterbury and
Chas. Terry, of the Bridgeport Brass
Company: the attorney was John i.
Kellogg. of Waterbury.
Mr.. Lilley said that Mr.. Kellogg. the
attorney for the Electric Boat Cons
pany, had made an appointment for Mr.
Terry with Mr.. Lilley, but Mr.. Kel-
logg was not present at the interview.
At previous visit Mr.. Lilley said Mr.
Kellogg handed him written form OF
the provision that would probably be
offered In the Naval Committee while
preparing the naval bill of the last
session. 1t was offered, he said, but
he did not remember by whom. 1t was
Mr.. Lil!ey's impression that he sup
ported that resolution. 1t was for open
Legislation. he said leaving the letting
of contracts with the department. The
one submitted this year shut out any
possibility of competition.
Drugs Hobson In.
Mr.. Lllley stated he had been in
formed that a representative of the
| r>o,,, l,.,I n oct,a
Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson
with proposition to secure his ap-
pointment on the Naval Committee If
he would vote for submarine legisa-
ton.
Mr.. Llley said 1t was his under
standing that there was an agreement
between the Electric Boat Company
and Vickcrs, Sons & Maxim. of Eng
land who are building English sub
marine boats whereby all improvements
made by the Electric Company are
turned over to the English company.
but under which all of the improve
ments made by Vickers, Sons & Maxim
are not given to the Electric Company.
Mr.. Lilley said he had been ap-
preached by a representative of the
Lake Boat Company. who asked him
II he would stand for open legislation.
meaning that If any appropriation was
made 1t should be left so that all the
people could have a fair chance to OBJ
tain the business. Mr.. Lilley said he 9
would stand for open legislation.
Later he was asked by an agent OF
the Lake Company II he would offer
a substitute resolution, leaving the ap-
precipitation to be expended in the reg
ular way by the Secretary of the Navy.
IT said" continued Mr.. Lilley, Il did
| not care to offer the substitute resolu-
ton I do not think submarines arc
of much account, but If we are going
! to have them l certainly will vote for
open legislation
WAS the motion offered in commits
| tee?" asked Mr., Olmsted.
| mo: he took 1t TO the wrong man..
replied Mr.. Lilley.
THE man was predetermined to vote
for the Electric Boat Company" sug-
gested Mr.. Olmsted.
Mr., Lilley said he thought the name
of the Lake Company agent who saw
him was Neff.
Concerning the proceedings in COM
mittee Mr.. Lllley said Mr.. Padgett
tried to have an amendment attached
to the provision offered by Mr.. Louden-
slayer. removing the part that prevent
ed competition.
Mr. Lllley said he voted for that
amendment but 1t did not carry.
Meant Holland.
MI LoudenSlaSer's amendment was
ladopted. he said. When he (Louden-
slager} finished reading his provision,
Captain Hobson arose and said: That
means Holland. does not it2"
Mr.. Loudenslager replied; Yes. In
effect
'"rhe amendment" Mr.. Lilley said,
was typewritten and looked Very Ia
miliar to me. remembering hack year y
or two, VIXEN Y had had ono passed IN
- a . n a ,x-r, rNftt-
side of the Naval Committee
Mr., olmsted: by whom did 1t look
as If it had been wrItten?'
Mr.. I.illey: 1T had all the ar-nlarks
OF one that Mr.. kellogg had handed ma
"a year before. Marion Butler, think,