Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-24
LILLEY ON RACK
Corrected Some of the Stale. menls He Made Yesterday
 -WaniS DO Confusion
CALL FROM BOUTELL

Washington, April 24.-Repre- sentative Rothermet of Pennsyl- yania, whose name was brought into the submarine boat investigation through a clipping from a Connect icut newspaper as being one of four congressman alleged to have gone to New London to see Congressman Lilley for the purpose of bringing political influence to bear on him to stop the investigation; to-day be- fore the committee denied any knowledge of the matter. He claimed he had never been to New London. MT Lilley resumed the stand and corrected portion of his testimony of yesterday. In refer ence to the resolution calling on the secretary of the navy for certain information which MT Lilley said was prepared by Abner P. Neff of the Lake Torpedo company. MT Lilley said he had read the resolu- tion before introducing it but did uOI ICdu IuC uOCuulChL oSSolhpahs ing it. He testified yesterday that he had not read the resolution.
 MT Lilley said he hoped there would be no confusion between his original resolution under which the investigation is being conducted and the resolution of inquiry as pre- pared by MT Neff.
 If there is any confusion as to the origin of this resolution, said Chairman Boutell, it results from the evidence. What fair-minded man On or off this committee read ing this testimony or hearing it would form any other idea than that MT Neff was much more anxious to bring out this information than you were.
 MT Olmsted read a clipping from the Hartford Courant of March 30 at yesterdays hearing containing q letter signed by MT Lilley, addressed to George w. Golf of East Hampton, Conn. This letter. which was in re- ply to one received by MT Lilley from MT Golf, contained the fol- lowing:
 "The select committee to investi- gate have already demonstrated their intention to apply the whitewash brush whenever they can. There, fore, it is safe to assume that very little will be brought out"
 Mir Lilley stated that that letter was written by his secretary, MT Webster, and that he had not seen 1t until 1t appeared in print. Mir Webster, he said, had authority to sign his name to letters.
 Mir Webster was called to the stand and admitted he wrote the letters. He said he had gathered his inference about the committee from clippings and from con- he had with a man who attended some of the hearings. The letter was not suggested by Mir Lil- ley, he said.
 Mir Lilley then resumed the stand and was asked if he had repudiated the letter. He replied that he had not.
 Do you repudiate 1t now?" asked MT Olmsted.
 'I do not personally desire to make that charge" answered Mir Lilley, and I am perfectly willing to withdraw it."
 This letter casts a reflection upon the character of the house of repre- and the officers of 1t which cannot go unnoticed." inter posed Chairman Boutell. "A month has elapsed since you had knowl- edge of its existence over your sig nature. During that time it would certainly have been possible for you to explain it on the floor of the house or to this committee, but no was forthcoming.
 "I disclaim the charge" said Mir Lilley.
 Mir Broussard asked Mir Lilley if he had reprimanded his secretary for writing such a letter. T
 T thiEk I reprimanded my sec retary." replied Mir Lilley. 'I am very sure I did"
 Why have you not discharged a man who would abuse your confi- fence in such a manner?" asked Mir Broussard.
 Well. I have not discharged him." replied Mir Lilley.
 Mir Lilley said he did not know Mir Con. and when asked if other le.- .ers of a similar character had been written and signed with his name. replied that there might have been others, but he did not know how many.
 Will you let us have the letter press of these letters?" asked Mr lImsted.
 ''I do not think it is within the cope of this committee to examine ny private correspondence. said Mir .illey.
 But he promised to produce the etter from NIT Goif and a copy of he reply and the question as to Ehether the production of the other etters will be required will be 'assed upon hy the committee later
 Mr Webster admitted writing a etter to State Senator Frank Edin- ,0rough at Bay City. Mich. askins or information as to any candi- ' Iates that had run against Congress nan Loud tvo years ago. Mr Web