Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-02
SUBMARINE HEARING.

washington, April 1.-Franklln "A.
Taylor of Waterbury, Conn.,, today tes-
titled before the special House commit
tee investigating the charges against
the Electric Boat Co., that he had
heard Representative George l.. Lii
ley, the author Of the charges, make
the statement in the Waterbury Club,
last Saturday that it was quite likely
he would get an adverse decision from
the committee and that in that event
lie would tell all he knew about the
whole matter of submarine boats on
the floor of the House. In addition to
Mr. Taylor, the witnesses today were
Elihu B. Frost, vice president of the
Electric Boat Co; Maurice Barrett,
secretary treasurer of the Electric
Boat Co., and Charles Ferry, of the
Bridgeport Brass Works. They all
denied any knowledge of undue in
t1uence being used on members of
Congress to secure legislation favor
able to the Electric Boat Co., although
Mr. Taylor ard Mr.. Ferry admitted
that they had asked Mr.. Lilley to vote
for the appropriation, as they thought
it would help their business should
these boats be authorized The inves-
tigation will be continued tomorrow.
Washington, April i.-Franklin A.
Taylor of Waterbury,, Conn, vice pres
ident of the Randolph PlowS Co.,
manufacturers of brass and copper,
was the first witness called today by
the special committee of the House
that is Investigating the charges
against the Electric Boat Co. He said
he had told Representative Liiley to
vote for submarine boats as there was
a possibility of his company getting
some business if the boats were or
dered
What was Mr.. Lilley's reply?"
''He would not commit himself one
way or the other' ~
The last conversation the witness
had with Mr.. L illey was a week ago
Saturday in Waterbury. Mr.. Lilley
then, according to the witness, said
that he proposed to see that the Lake
Co. had fair chance.
| He was present in the Waterbury
| Club a week ago Saturday. he said
while Mr.. Lilley was talking with a
number of gentlemen about the present
| investigation. According to Mr.. Tay~
| lor, Mr. Lilley said it was quite likely
and in that event he would go on the
| floor of the House and tell all he knew
about the whole matter of submarine
| boats.
| Mr.. Taylor said he never lost an OPP
portunty to impress upon Mr.. Liley
that he ought to vote for submarines
and that he had shaken his fist at Mr..
l.illey several times but always in a
l \ L.
to him that he had done it to him at
the instigation of the Electric Boat
Co. The Electric Boat Co., he said,
had never promised him a contract if
| the desired legislation was secured.
Mr.. Taylor said he had stated to an
| Associated Press representative in
Waterbury that he thought he had in
Huenccd Mr.. Lilley to vote for sub
marine boats. He assumed this. he
said, because when Mr.. Lilley came to
| Waterbury, he said:
q voted yes, Franklin, with your
II face before me when l voted"
H This referred to the naval appropria-
ton bill of 1906 and 1907.
The witness said he did not consider
that he had done anything improper in
asking Mr.. Lilley to vote for submarines
II Mr.. Taylor said he had been requested
by John II. Kellogg, one of the attorneys
II for the Electric Boat Co., in January,
1908, ITO get busy with Mr.. Lilley and
again tell him about the possibilities OF
submarines
II Elihu r. Frost, vice president of the
Electric Poat Co, followed Mr.. Taylor
He said he had the general management
Of the business. John Kellogg, he said,
was employed for the purpose Of coun-
teracting in Connecticut alleged misrep-
reservations that were being made in the
state about the Electric Boat Co.
sort of an Ananias antidote?" suggest
ed Mr.. Howard.
Yes" replied the witness.
Il Mr.. Frost said he lad given no instruc-
lions to c. S. McNeir to employ news
paper men to prepare articles on subma-
rine boats or to influence Congress Mr.
Howard read to the witness list of the
members Of the naval affairs committee
Of the House, asking him after each
name if he knew the members and If he
or any member Of his firm had ever en-
plcyed any attorney or agent in that
members district. With the exception
of Mr.. Lilley's district and that of Mr.
Loud of Michigan, the witness said that
so far as he knew, no attorney or agent
was employed in any members district.
Mr.. Frost denied that he had made
contributions in behalf of his company
to any campaign fund, Republican oil
Democratic, national or congressional. HI
said his company did not maintain &
lobby in Washington and declared thai
no undue influence in behalf of his com
| pany had been brought to bear by him
self or anyone on any member of Con
gress, nor had any money been paid t.
influence the navy department.
Mr.. Frost denied all knowledge as t.
the amendment offered In the Senate ma
val committee to the naval appropriation
CONTINUED on Page Five.)