New-York tribune., 1908-04-24
LILLEY UNDER FIRE NAVAL BILL AMENDED
Taken Sharply to Task for Refec-
tons on COngrcssmen

Washington. april c3--Interesting developments
followed each other in close succession to-day in
the submarine investigation. They ranged from the
participation of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company
IN the ration OF resolution OF inquiry in
troduced IN the House by Mr. Lilley to personal
matters il which criticism OF the committee played
prominent part. Mr.. Lilley was severely taken
TO task by members OF the committee for allowing
pubtshed criticisms of its actions his sigma
;ure TO stand for month without being contra
uicted- Mr.. Lilley and the committee locked horns
over the question of production letters which he
saws are confidential the question whether they
should be produced had not been decided when the
committee adjourned. The authorship OF the two
anonymous letters which have appeared in the in
Vestgauon also was gone into and il is the belief
OF the committee that the identity of the writer
De established within the forty-eight hours.
MI olmsted read chipping from THE Hartford
Courant'' Of March 50. containing a letter signed
with Mr.. Lilleys name, as follows:
The select committee to investigate have al
ready demonstrated their intention TO apply the
Whltevash brush whenever they Therefore
out They refused me the privilege OF counsel TO
cross-eXamlne witnesses and DO not allow me TO
ing, and even then they may throw those
vinced
Nh Lilley said that the letter written by his
secretary. Mr. Webster and he had not seen it
until il appeared in print. Mr.. Webster admitted
that he wrote the letter, but it not suggested
by Mr I,ilIey
Mr. Lilley asked II he had repudiated the
letter and replied that he had
The letter casts a reflection on the character of
the House of Representatives and the officers of ii
which cannot 20 unnoticed." said Chairman Bou-
tell. A month has elapsed since you had knovl
edge OF its existence over your signature During
that time It would certainly have been possible for
YOU 70 explain it on the floor OF the House or 70
this committee, but no explanation was forthcom-
ing
7 disciam the charge said Mr- Ley.
Why have you not discharged man who would
abuse your confidence IN such a manner asked
NJ. Broussard
We'll I have not discharged him." replied NJ.
LilIey
Chairman Bouteu then introduced another per-
sonal The committee had in its possession
clipping from The Bridgeport Standard" OF
March 25 saying II was reported that Representa-
Tives Boutel- Olnsted. Rothermel and Rodenberg
had left Washington the day before for New Lon
don for the purpose Of bringing political influence
bear NJ. Lilley to stop the investigation
Another telegram, dated March 2, sent 10 Mr..
Lilley on q train returning from Connecticut ny
his private secretary. said that these four Con-
gressrnen had bought tickets TO New London
Mr BouteU said he would like to know the au-
thority Of NJ. Webster for this telegram. M.
Olnlsted had left Washington on that day for Hsr-
risburg and ne had gone Springfield Ill. 20 at
tend III. convention Mr.. Webster replied
that his information had been furnished by two
correspondents Of Connecticut newspapers.
A letter from NJ. Lilley 10 Secretary MetcaIf in
the interest of the Lake company was read Nj.
Lillev referred TO Congressman Roberts. Of Massa-
ch,Iset-s avng- Among the well meaning mem
hers Congress the Lake people have friends
because they have never employed the methods Of
the Holland type people II is well known that the
company Nr EloDerJs appears 20 represent is doing
more to-day the employment Of questionable
Dat her 0r
Naval Committee than aII other corporations il the
United states"