The Washington herald., 1908-02-28
LILLEY GETS ACTION
Revised Charges of "Graft"
Up to House Committee,
WANTS METCALF TO ASSIST
Connecticut ExpOser of Submarine
scandal" Submits Statement to
Rules Committee, which VIII Act
TO-day-ResolutIOn Affecting All
Similar Craft Introduced.

Representative Lilley, of Connecticut,
yesterday furnished the House Committee
on Rules a revised copy of his statement
to the committee in support OF his resolu-
ton for investigation Of the conduct Of
the Electric Boat Company and the Hol-
land Boat Company in connection with
legislation. The committee will meet to-
day 20 consider the statement and the
resolution.
Mr.. Lilley also introduced the following
resolution, which was referred TO the
Committee on Naval Affairs:
"A resolution inauiring Of the Secretary
Of the Navy whether S7l5.45 per ton is a
reasonable price for Octopus type Of
submarines; whether submarines have
had accidents and the nature Of the re-
pairs thereon, and requesting complete
copies of everything on file in the Navy
Department on submarines.
The New Resolution.
Whereas. first. the following state
ments have been published in the public
press: 1t can be readily seen that the
programme OF the House committee, at
this session, proposes TO pay at least
N,2S6 per ton for the submarines. against
a reasonable price named by Mr. Bowles
of S145.l5 per ton. or Sl,476, $3.50 more than
the present builders said they were worth
when they testified before the committee
in 1892
Also. IL developed to-day that on the
seven Holland submarines commissioned
in 1863 at a cost OF S1.lSoOOO. the sum Of
Si39,ll999 has been expended in the last
four years on maintenance and repairs
OF this amount three vessels alone have
taken most OF the appropriation.
1t is further ascertained that the
Grampus and Pike. at Mare Island Navy
Yard, are now laid UP. never having
worked To the entire satisfaction OF the
department. while Congress has just been
asked 10 appropriate the following sums
for repairs, in addition TO materials al
ready purchased: The Adder. S245OO the
Grampus. $SS,500; the Moccasin, $3l500.
the Pike, ,S33.500
Must keep contracts secret
An investigation Of the contract under
which the submarines are purchased by
the government shows there is "A conf
Dental paragraph IN each contract by
reveal any data concerning plans, speci-
fications, models. weight records. speed
records. or any other information with
out specific authority from the manu-
facturers.
In contrast to this secrecy. il is point
cd out that millions OF dollars worth OF
battle ships have been built and their
performances and other data are duly
chronicled in the Annual Register OF the
Navy Department
Also the trip OF the submarine fiotilla
made UP Of the Cuttlehsh. Viper. and
Tarantula, and accompanied by the gun
boat Hist from New York 20 Annapolis
Naval Academy, has proved somewhat
disappointing 70 naval officials. Also the
Octopus is still in the shipbuilding yard.
having her engines, which were prac-
tically ruined IN an accident during the
acceptance tests here last spring. re-
paired
Whereas, second, secret government
contracting is against public policy and
the specific provisions Of the Revised
Statutes, sections 5l2, SIS, S7i4, and 37i5,
which provide that any papers on file
may be examined by any person desiring
70 do so. and that copies thereof shall
be furnished upon certain fees.
Wants Secretary 10 Act.
Therefore be it resolved. by tho House OF Rerre-
sentatives in Congress assembled thst the Secretary
Of the Navy hereby directed 10 inform the House
OF Representatives whether S455 per ton is a rea-
scnabie price for Octopus type of Submarines: what
price for ton is being paid for Octopus type Of sub
marines; whether the sum Of SJOO00 is excessive
for eight Octopus type Of submarines what repairs
have been made on each submarine--why. when
where. and with what result how many days each
submarine has been in active operation; how many
days each submarine has been out Of commission
and why; what accidents each submarine has had
The nature thereof and causes thereof; what con
tracts have been made FOR submarines; what prices
have been paid per ton for each submarine built or
contracted for; what submarines are available for
use; what submarines not available for use and
Why. and 10 transmit 10 The House OF Representa-
tITeS VerbHtIm copies Of everything on hle In the
Navy Department relating 10 submarine boats with
the exception Of detailed plans thereof but not er
ceDting reports relating TO the performance Of each
submarine. accidents thereto. repairs thereon and
condition thereof aud fkA enarfgs4ffa.,s aIa-.,g