The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-03-24

Criticism of PreSident-Deprecated
Idea of Bringing Partisan Politics
Into Discusslon-Said the Presi-
dent Had Done the Best He Could
to Relieve h Situation.
Washington, March 19.-Secretary
of the Navy Metcalf and Admiral
Caps, chief Of the bureau of con-
struction of the navy department, to-
day testified before the special COM
mittee of the house that is investi-
eating the charges made against he
Electric Boat, Company by Represen-
tative Lilley, of Connecticut. Both
stated that they did not believe the
Electric Boat Company had secured
an excessive profit OF the contracts
already awarded them, nor did they
believe they would make an excessive
profit on any future contracts they
may secure. Secretary Metcalf ex-
planned the letting of a contract to
the Lake Boat Company, saying that
it was a conditional one, as no money
was to be paid the company unless
1t built a boat that equalled In speed
the steaming radius OF the best sub
marine boat now possessed by the
government or under contract for II
Admiral Capps said that the navy
was getting its construction WORK
lone at a very low figure.
Representative Butler, of Pennsyl-
vania, denied a statement by Secre
tary Metcalf that he had called or
him in connection with submarine
boats.
Edward l.. ClarkaOn, private Sec
Rotary of Representative Hobson,
testified that Lawrence Y. Spear,
yice-president Of the Electric Poat
Company, told him that his company
had influence with Speaker Cannon
and could use it to help Captain
Hobson get on the naval affairs
committee, but before doing so would
have to know how he stood on the
proposition in which he was inter
ested-the question f submarine
boats"
Congressman Clayton, Of Alabama
testified that the Alabama delegation
in congress endorsed Captain Hob
son for assignment to the naval at
fairs committee, and the secretary to
Speaker Cannon stated that the onlE
request made to the speaker to ap-
point Mr.. HObsOn on that committee
was made by Mr.. Williams, the min
GRITTY leader in the house.
Representative Lilley did not at
tend today's sitting of the committee
except at the opening.
The public sessions Of the COM
mittee were adjourned until next
Thursday.
Secretary Metcalf, the first wit
ness was questioned concerning the
section of his annual report of 1907,
concerning submarine boats, includ-
ing the report of the board which
conducted the trials Of Submarines
and which recommended the adoption
of the Octopus type of boat. He said
that in the same annual report
recommendation was made for -four
additional submarine boats of tho
same type as those recommended as
the result of the competitive tests
provided a more satisfactory type
was not developed in the meantime
That, he said, was the only report
he made.
Secretary Metcalf stated hat the
contract for the Lake Company's
boat was entered into by the de-
partment on certain guarantees. That
company's bill was $275, 900 and the
department agreed to pay $3.50, 900 for
one Ol LuClI DOdlS W OAILldI0 OUO
tons, no money to be paid on this
contract until after the boat had been
fully tested and had developed a speed
equal to the speed of the best sub
marine boa owned by the govern
ment-
The charge of Mr.. Lilley that the
Electric Boat Company and Pts pre-
decessor, the Holland Boat Com
ranr bouo o1roo6v raooiyod from fbc
United States an excessive profit of
more than one million dollars for
the construction of it's submarines
and that under legislation now
pending it will receive a profit OF
more than one million dollars in ex-
cess of what ought to be paid for
the construction of submarines pro-
vided for, was called to Secretary
Metcalf's attention. He replied that
the department would not pay what
was considered an exorbitant price.
Edward l. Clarkson, private Sec
rotary to Mr.. Hobson told of the at
tempts of Lawrence Y. Spear, the
vice-president and naval architect o.
the Electric Boat Company to sec
Cpatain Hobson at the time he was
Ill. He said that after a number OF
conversations over the telephone MI.
Spear asked the witness to call a.
his hotel. which he did.
Mr.. Clarkson testified that Mr..
Spear asked how Captain Hobson was
progressing in his efforts to be p1ac-
ed on the naval committee. 81 said"
continued Mr.. ClarksOn, that AS
far as I knew he was getting on all
right. He said he felt very friendly
to Captain Hobson and would like to
help him, but before he could exert
the full influence he could use. he
would have to know how he stooc
on the proposition In which he was