The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-19
A Letter Written by the Presi-
dent Put in Evidence
Before the Submarine Boat In
VestigatiOn Committee.
1T DENIES A STORY
Set Forth in an Affidavit Made
by G. E. Adams.
Light ON Newspaper Correspon-
dent Feature of the Case.

Washington, March 1s.-Congressman
Iilley presented to the submarine boat
investigation committee today an af-
hdavit signed by Clement E. Adams
and dated Bridgeport, Conn. March 1S,
1908. in which Mr.. Adams swears that
while he was engaged in business in
the city of Washington during the
summer of 1906, J. F. F. Archibald. rep
resented to him that he was a war cor
respondent for Golfers Weekly and
that he had been appointed by the
president of the United States to visit
certain cities and towns on the Pacific
coast and to report to the president
upon the condition OF the coast de-
fenses in that section. According to
the deponent, Mr.. Archibald said to
him later that he had visited certain
cities and towns on the Pacific coast
and had reported thereon to the presi-
dent; that he had appeared before GER
tain chambers of commerce, boards or
trade and other associations OF busf-
ness men and citizens in various cities
and towns and states on the Pacific
coast, had addressed them on the ad-
vantages to be gained by the pur-
chase by the United States government
of submarine boats and certain petit
tions and addresses made to congress
and members thereof by these different
organization were caused by the eff
forts of Archibald.
At a later period, according to the
affidavit, Mr. Adams showed to Archt-
bald a newspaper article on the SUBJ
ject of submarine torpedo boats where
in the Lake submarine boat was cr1t1-
cfzed, and Archibald informed him that
he was the author of the article: that
he wrote the same and that the critic
ism of the boat therein contained, was
incited and caused by request TO MIN
made by Lawrence Y. Spear, an officer
of the Electric Boat company ana that
the request was acceded to by Archi-
bald because he (Archibald) was under
obligations to Spear and the Electric
Boat company.
Letter From Roosevelt.
Accompanying the affidavit was the
following letter from President Roose-
Welt denying that Archibald was ever
appointed or employed by him or, so
far as he knew, appointed or employed
bv anyone connected with the admins
tration:
s'The White House. Washington, D.
c. March 18, 1908.
my Dear Mr.. Lilley: Referring to
our conversation of this morning, Mr..
Archibald never was appointed or en-
ployed by me, nor, so FAR as l know,
was he ever appointed or employed by
anyone else connected with the ad-
1ninistration. Some time about a year
ago he came in and saw me for about
two minutes, and said that he was go
ing to make an investigation of the
question of submarine defense on the
Pacific coast and particularly, I be-
lteve, in reference to Puget sound, and
that he was immensely interested in
the subject having been war cor
respondent for various papers and that
he would like to send me q report of
what he found. I answered him that
of course I should be very glad to re-
ceive such a report from him or any
other man who might investigate the
subject. He sent me letter on the
subject a few weeks later which I
transmitted to the secretary of the
navy. I have transmitted dozens of
similar letters from men who have
told me of Investigations that they
have made or of facts which they had
found, or suggestions which they be-
lieved were important 1t is the usual
course; it was followed in this instance
exactly as in all similar cases.
Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
George L. Ldlley, house Of repre-
sentatives."
Secretary Metcalf Testifies.
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf and
Admiral Capps were among those who
appeared today before the committee
made by Representative Lilley that
wrongful methods had been used by
the Electric Boat company to secure
legislation in congress. The commit
the request of Representative Hobson,
to call Mr.. Hobson's secretary, Edgar
Clarkson, as the first witness today,
but the appearance of the secretary of
the navy and Admiral Capps in re-
sponse to invitations from the COM
mittee changed this plan.
Secretary Metcalf and Admiral
Capps brought documents and records
as requested by the committee.
Secretary Metcalf was questioned
concerning the section of his annual
report of 1907, concerning submarine
boats. including 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 an
nual report recommendation was made
for four additional submarine boats of
the same type as those recommended
as the result of the competitive tests,
provided more satisfactory type was
not developed in the meantime. That,
he said. was the only report he made
on the subject.
value to the naval service of SUBJ
marine boats,' suggested Mr.. Ohm
stead, and the secretary replied:
81 would prefer that that statement
be made by the experts of the depart
ment. made recommendation of the
vessels and would not have done SO
had I not thought they were neces-
sary."
Dewey Signed the Report.
Admiral Dewey, he said. signed the
report of the board, recommending
submarine boats. In reply to a uues-
tion as to President Roosevelt's atti-
tude, Mr.. Metcalf said that he did not
have the presidents message with
him. Secretary Metcalf stated that
the contract for the Lake company's
boat was entered into by the depart-
ment on certain guarantees. That
companys bid was $3.50 and the
department agreed to pay s450,000 for
one of their boats to approximate 500
tons. no money to be paid on this con-