The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 19, 1924, Page 8

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The Four Years--1920 to 1924--Saw Oil Octogr EDITOR’S NOTE:—In _yester- day’s DAILY WORKER we pub- lished Robert Minor’s chronology for the sixty years of oil in the United States. This revealing history is concluded in tle install- ment that appears today. The 60 years’ drama of oil, from the time the first oil well was drilled in the United States. This revealing plans were made for raising a $10,000,000 campaign fund to put William Gibbs McAdoo over as the oil presidential candidate in 1920, is full of high lights. But this is surpassed by the “Four Years of Oil” that have followed since 1920. These four years are covered by Minor’s concluding installment to- day, starting off with a review of American meddling in Mexico. The oily fingers of American oil capi- talists were not content to strangle government at home, but they turned their attention abroad, as well, seeking Mexico as one of their victims. This chronology is not only worth reading, but worth preserving as a chapter in the de- cay of American capitalism. Here it is: *- ¢ *¢ @ By ROBERT MINOR, (Concluded from Yesterday) 1920, April 10—The Mexican state of Sonora seceded from the United States of Mexico, and a revolt against Carranza began. May—Adolfo de la Huerta drives Carranza from power. President Carranza of Mexico, murdered by followers of Adolfo de la Huerta, who is backed by Ameri- can oil men. May 14—Wilson sends official re- quest to the Senate for authority to send U. §. warships agd marines to Batum to protect American lives and property at““Batum and along the line of the railroad leading to Baku” (the oil pipe-line and railway used by the British oil companies), and reciting “Christian sympathies” for Armenians. Russian red armies are making headway toward regaining Russian oil territory in region of Batum and Baku. Armenian Mandate. May 24—Wilsonm requests Congress to give him as President, the power to take a mandate over Armenia, which will require keeping troops in Asia on the frontier between Soviet Russia and the British oil concessions. May 25—British Ambassador Ged- des in speech in New York, denies that the British have oil monopoly. May 31—Subcommittee of Com- mittee on Foreign Affairs of the U. S. Senate, under chairmanship of Senator Fall, recommends that a treaty be made with Mexico provided that: “|, . We send a police force con- sisting of the naval and military fore- es of our government into the repub- lie of Mexico to open and maintain open every line of communication be- tween te City of Mexico and every seaport and border port in Mexico,” unless the Mexican government will abandon Article 27 of the Mexican Fall. constitution as far as it applies to concessions of American citizens of oil lands, mining properties, ete., and unless the Mexican government pays to American capitalists $505,002,434 as damages for interference with oil properties, mining, railroad, factory, bank and other properties. Fall’s committee recommends further that, if Mexico does this, the army and navy shall not be sent, but a treaty and “generous loans” be made to Mexico for the payment of the Mex-, ican public debt (to American bank- ers, largely) and to rehabilitate the railroads. * The Fall Wail. The Fall committee further com- plains that it has received informa- tion of Japanese colonies on land where “traces of oil are apparent,” and that “Mexico has granted a con-| er, cession to a Japanese concern known as the Matsumato Trading Co, of Jap- an, for the exploitation of all oil land on either side of the Tamesi river,” and that “two representatives of this company have been in the region for some time inspecting the territory between Tampico and Tuxpam” (near Doheny’s and Sinclair’s and the Stan- dard Oil Co.’s works). The other members of the subcom- mittee, Senators Brandegee of Con- necticut and Smith of Arizona, con- eurred with Fall. June 1, 1920—Federal Trade Com- mission reports that increase in prices of oil, gasoline and petroleum are due _ more to “varying con@itions of supply and demand” than to “any combination in restraint of trade,” and that it seems “the part of pru- dence to encourage those éngaged in the oil industry in this country to develop production in such foreign countries, which have oil resources, as are most available for furnishing supplies of oil and that such enter- prises should be given all proper dip- lomatic support in obtaining and operating oil producing property.” Republican Platform Oiled. June 2, 1920—Tentative draft of republican national platform complet- Wall Streets O. K. Night of June 11—All-night con- ferences between leading financial backers, senators and _ candidates, Jake Hamon very much in evidence. In the early morning the Old Guard leaders settle that it shall be Hard- ing and Coolidge. June 12—Machine causes adjourn- ment at 2 p. m. : June 12—(About 3 P. M. during recess)—John 'T. King, former cam- paign manager for Wood, let it be known that Boise Penrose had tele- phoned from Philadelphia giving the word for the nominatiqn of Harding. A conference of leaders is held; Harry Daugherty and Jake Hamon are present. Senator Borah emerged THE HOG PEN Daugherty. At Point Isabel the Harding party is met by Elias L, Torres, who rep- resents the Mexican’ secretary. for foreign affairs. Nov. 20—Presidext-elect Obregon denies having instructed Torres to in- vite Harding to visit Mexico. Harding Administration Begins. 1921, Mar. 4—President Harding supplanting Wilson administration, with which McAdoo has _ influence, Doheny relieves McAdoo of Washing- tan duties but keeps him on a $25,- 000 salary in Southern California. Secretary of the Interior Frank- lin K. Lane on leaving President Wil- son’s cabinet, goes into the employ of Doheny. ed by addition of plank on Mexico, written by Senator Fall, revised in minor respects by Senators« Watson, Lodge and several others. . Columbian Supreme Court declares the law nationalizing Columbian pet- roleum industry unconstitutional. The senate foreign relations com- mittee’s subcommittee under chair- manship of Senator Fall, makes a re- port which paves the way for ratifi- cation of the Columbian treaty and the payment of $25,000,000 out of the U. S. Treasury to Columbia, the measure having been amended by Senator Fall with an amendment re- garding oil rights written by Senator Rumors that $5,000,000 of the Columbian money goes into graft for an American ring. June 1, 1920—Tremendous flood of propaganda about “terrible condi- tions in Mexico” begins in American newspapers, as time for national con- ventions approaches. June 5, 1920—Sir Phillip Gibbs, English propagandist, cables the New York Times that the Christian Ar- menians (along the petroleum pipe- lines in Armenia) are crying for help from England and America, June 8—Republican national con- vention opens, Very prominent and popular is Jake-Hamon, new oil mil- lionaire from Oklahoma, recently elected national committeeman. SenXNtor Lodge in keynote speech demands “a firm hand for Mexico.” “We must watch and wait no long- E. L. Doheny is present, tho a democrat. Gives an interview, say- ing: “This country is the oil nation.” Wood leads in balloting, Lowden is second, Johnson, third. Most of delegates thinking Harding candidacy is joke. Johnson offered vice-presi- dential nomination by bosses; refus-| 000 es, Jake Hamon tries to arrange with any one of several candidates that he shall name the secretary of interior in consideration for a block of votes. the | miles from the _ mon, from the conference giving the first definite word that “Harding will be put over.” 4 p.m. Lowden and Wood lead- ers and Jake Hamon throw their delegations to Harding. June 12 (Evening)—Harding nom- inated, —Coolidge nominated. Atlee Pomerene estimates expendi- tures in republican primaries: Wood (approximately) $1,500.000 Lowden ....cescecceee 414,159 Johnson ...sccccesece 197,230 MOOV iivacasescaun : Seed SIRNA 6 oo-ne tk 0 t4.0 +. 118,109 CONGEOs oo vas v.95 ss ee 68,375 June 14, 1920—Josephus Daniels, secretary of the navy, publishes a letter in which he recommends that the U. S. government shall lease the Osage oil ynds of Oklahoma to pri- vate oil c¢mpanies. Doheny at Democratic Convention. At the democratic convention, Ed- ward L, Doheny is named on resolu- tions committee and writes into plat- form “the oil plank.” Sept.—Obregon elected president of Mexico. (Inauguarated Dec, 1, 1920.) s Isn’t It A Bargain? November 1920—Harding and Coo- lidge elected. It is said that the republicans ac- knowledged receiving $4,000,000 in campaign contributions and spending $5,300,000, the deficit of $1,300,000 being mysteriously made up after the election of Harding and Coolidge— during the time that Sinclair was in process of Luray, Brey $400,000,000 steal of Teapot Dome and Doheny and Standard Oil, the California Oil Reserves. It is cert\in that Harry Sinclair put up a lot of money to elect Harding and Coolidge. It was long ago published that he gave $25,- Nov. 6—President-elect Harding goes on “vacation” to Point Isabel, Texas, a town of 400 inhabitants, five > Mexican border; with including Jake Ha- him a ae cLean and Harry EB, Theodore Roosevelt (Jr.), having resigned as a director of Sinclair Oil & Refining Co. and of White Motor Co., becomes assistant secretary of the navy. . Jess Smith begins a brisk business as Daugherty’s “bumper,” receiving’ bribe-money, selling federal appoint- ments, arranging pardons for cash and handling secret stock specula- tions in partnership with Daugherty. Shortly. after March 4, Roxie Stin- son, Jess Smith’s ex-wife, received from Jess the first batch of twenty- five shares of White Motors stock, and twenty-two shares of Pure Oil stock “to put on the market quickly and quietly,” and from then on-re- peatedly she acted as agent for quick and secret disposal of stock which he 7 ata “didn’t pay anything ‘or. He Knows A Cushy Job! Jess is offered appointment as comptroller of the treasury by Presi- dent Harding, but declines and re- mains with Daugherty. With Daugh- erty he occupies, rent free, a house owned by E. B. McLean. Later Daugherty and Jess rent an apart- ment together. April—Edward B. McLean is ap- pointed secret agent of the depart- ment of justice, receiving a secret- service code book, Daugherty’s old friend Felder, acts - his “fixer” of cases and of par- ons. Shortly after March 4, Mr. Sutro, pve es i (BD aggavei vn Co., called on Daugherty, an erty dropped the case against Standard Oil on the California oil leases. i Office Boy.” President Harding issues executive order transferring the naval oi}-re- serves from the navy department to the department of the interior, to the control of Albert B. Fall. Theqdore Roosevelt (who resigned a few weeks before as vice-president of the Sinclair Oil Co.) carries the executive order to President Harding to it signed. fdr Fall is about to give Tea- pot Dome oil reservi Sinclair; John &. S) Chicago, Indid§apo newspapers, ge™ inf pending deal a: : Fall persuades Sine! Shaffer a share of thi Silences his newspap $80,000 worth of § sold and the mone clair’s confidential Zevely, who was with Fall for the Dome. Then $25,0 berty bonds given 000 additional, in deck Secretary Fall. Falll pa overdue taxes; boul $91,500; paid $33,00 er land; bought $3,0¢ man live stock and a pumping plant, electric plant. The Shoe Rear Admiral against the leasing lands, Commander H, A. of the Naval HAsery department, d froth of the U.}8, n Secretary Denby aga of certain leases to by at the request of Mr. All officers of th test against the oil dered by Secretary o by to service at seal foreign countries. Harry Sinclair bou horse, named him “Z# clair’s lawyer, Zevely ry Daugherty and oth bers to races; bet n and gave them the yi Darden “Didn’t Daugherty and $m “deal” with Colonel Jam den concerning goverrmer each of them giving Dard Daugherty and Smith d Darden, Smith tel ] son that “Darden dij n up. : June 24—President Ha to Fall saying that inle James G. Darden of the Co., got off of fe would be taken to drife I off the property. July 26—Sec. Fal! ¥ Harding that it WMd ‘b sary “to take i @ eject the Mutual #il’ gested that the Navy ~. send Marines to do it. “Devil Dogs” Eject I July 29—Theodore Ro sistant Secretary of the } the order to Major Gene: to send the Marines to T to drive Colonel Darden pany off the reserve. The United States Mz First To Fight—drove C and Mutual Oil Co. off Dome reserve. August—The British « (Cowdray) in Mexico qui ican Association of oil boycott against the Mexi ment and declared their | abide by the laws of Me pay their taxes. Dohen: Vandyke, Beatty, and Te: Mexico to try to arrange British oil companies’ o| the Mexican law will not in a disadvantageo poF Oct, 28—Gaston. Pf ; general superinteng, \ Burns detective agency, employment of the U. 8. of justice under Willian Harry M. Daugherty and, Jess Smith, to whom hr reports, Nov.—Doheny “lent” | A. B. Fall, then secretar, terior in President Hardir “to ease his mind.” A later, negotiations for lea Oil Reserve No. 1 to D under way. Nov.—Persian governn ates with Standard Oil C 000,000 loan, offering co 90,000,000 acres of oil oit., Anglo-Persian Oil British government, tb prior rights. § urrenders to Anglo-Pers and Sores to 50-50 basis ‘ersian governmen Robison’s nour” Pre 1922, About F ee cece A ER RE AR Sonn a al aati ye, 35 Renee

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