Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-07

cific augmentation or by legislative APP
propriations skilfully drawn to this COM
pany without possibility of competition.
THAT it can be shown by former IN
vestigations before the naval committee
of the House upon which no reports
were made to the House of Representa-
tives that the Holland Co. and the Elec-
trio Boat Co. have been engaged in doubt
full and reprehensble efforts to influence
menb ers of Congress and officials of the
navy department in favor of their boats
and appropriations therefor.
THAT it can be shown upon investiga-
ton that certain representatives of lead
ing newspapers have been subsidized by
the Electric Boat Co. for favorable news
paper articles and reports in behalf of
the said company
IF these things are not actually within
the pale of the law, they are wrongful
practices and tend to throw discredit
upon the Congress OF the United States y
In reply to questions by William and
DalZell in the meeting of February %,
Lilley- refused to give the names of
members who he alleged received all
the Electric Boat Cos. large sums of
money for campaign purposes, or of
those members against whom large
sums We're spent to accomplish their
defeat because they did not favor the
Electric Boat Co. Lilley said in reply
to n question by Dalzell that he eX-
pected to prove that wrong methods
were used by the Electric Boat Co., to
obtain legislation by influencing men,
bers of Congress. He further said that
his statements were not vague ones;
that they had been constantly and con-
tinuously in the air for about II years;
and that he would be very glad to in
dictate the particular parties as soon
as the resolution of inquiry VS. passed
and the committee was named.
Dalzcll asked:
viii you state the names of indi
viduals who have corrupted or at
tempted to corrupt members of Con-
gress?"
'"Thcy are using wrongful methods
in most every Congressional district
replied Lillcy.
Lilley gave the committee an illustra-
zion of an attempt made to induce him
to vote for the submarines and said:
This Electric Boat Co, has been
stencil in the nostrils of the country
for years and. in my opinion it has done
more to corrupt Legislation than all the
other corporations on earth. 1 think
the membership of this House is of the
very highest quality and that they are
the best men usually, in the districts
from which they come, but with Il flock
of 1913 here it would be strange if
there We're not some sheep in it that
had the foot-rot or ScabieS. I think
the disease ought to be eradicatcd be-
fore it spreads. l have no motive or
animus in this at Ill except in 50 far
as I would like to see the business run
on business lines and the selection of
left to experts and not
taken from the hands of the navy de-
partment ana from the experts Of the
navy; from men like Chief Construc-
tor Caps, who l believe to be the best
engineer III the world, and men like
Admiral Converse and taken absolutely
)ut of their hands and dictated what
,oats shall be built what companies shall
nave the contracts, leaving them in
position to charge and price as they
,hoosc. We have got to buy under the
present bill that has passed the naval
have got to buy alb
Holland boats and no other
1t whatever price they choose to
.harge We have eliminated any chance
o do business on business lines"
In reply to a question by DalZell ask
ng him if he meant that money has
pecn paid to members Of Congress to
influence their vote, Lilley said:
Il do not claim that money has been
paid to bride q member of Congress.
do expect to prove that money has
been contributed to campaign funds,
which, morally is not different from
passing a bride across the table in
room when we take a vote.
Morally there is not particle in diff
ference; legally there is"
Williams asked Lilley if he would
consent to an addition to his resolu-
ton, providing that the committee to
be appointed should rec )mmenY to the
House that appropriate action be taken
by the House with regard to members
found guilty, or with regard to Lilley
himself in case his allegations were
unfounded by proof.