Evening Star Newspaper, January 27, 1924, Page 10

Doheny Proposes to Return Oll Lease; Senate Moves to Annul Rights to Teapot (Continued from First Page.) Tuesday both because of his physical eondition agd the impending Senate debate on the Teapot Dome cancella- tion resolution. Mr. Fall remained confined to his bed yesterday at the home of J. W. Zevely, Mr. Sinclair's personal attorney, who disclosed Fri day that Sinclair had loaned Mr. Fall 25,000 in Liberty bonds after Mr. Fall left the cabinet. The note which, it is claimed, evidences this debt was presented to the committee Friday on behalf of Mr. Zevely. The developments in the oll inve tigation were the subject of a con- ference yesterday between President Coolidge and John T. Adams, chair- man of the republican national com- mittee. Mr. Adams indicated after- ward that his views on the subject were set forth in an editorial in the National Republicun with the statement that “every he- trayal of trust, by whosoevar com mitted, should be prosecuted with a view to punishment of the gullty. Chafrman Hull of the democratic | pational committee issued a statement declaring that “the Teapot Domé naval ofl scandal, standing out as the great- est political scandal of this or an other generatlon, has created an addi- tional political fissue for the 1924 campaign.” He said the issue “bluntly | stated” is whet the United States | shall “have corrupt government or clean government.” Snys Checks Confused. About the only new development in the rehearing vesterday of Mr. Roose- velt and Mr. Wahlberg was the pres tation by G. T. Stanford, counsel Mr. Sinclair, of two checks aggregating | $68,000 and drawn to the order of S, . Hildreth, trainer at Sinclair's Ran- cocas stables, under date of January 14. Wahlberg testified that these were the chetks about which he spoke in his conversation with Mr. Roosevelt con- cerning the Teapot Dome lease. Senator Walsh reminded Mr. Wall- berg that in his last Monday he cd” the $68,000 chec conversation and said ably had referred to s sent to the fore Mex ranch VoIt hac misunderstoo Cunerlied ohecks for o6 the ‘creman. Forget About Checkn. AIr. Wi d that last Mon- day the checks Lad passed completely out of his minl. but that in peviewing th: cirenmstances ot the conversation. held in his office he had recalled (hem and remembered | that they had been on his desk the time and he haa referred 1o them in_the conversation. Senator Walsh suggested had come to the conclusion story ubout the cows “would not wash.” but the witness iusisted ' recalied the incident clearly; that e had referred to the chec trative of the differc sation allowed som employes and that The witness said the on his desk for malling they were mailed on the conversation, January reminded that Mr. Roosevelt had said the conversation was on January 18, but declared that he thought™ the date was susceptible to proof. He also was reminded that Mr. Roosevelt had quoted him as referring to celled” checks. whereas the Hildreth checks were not cancelled at that time. My for portion of the ne prob- eight cows %000 Hildreth that he given to other checks were and that day Hildreth identified the checks as those he had received —£25,000 for | salary for 1 and $43,244 as his 10 per cent commission on the win- nings of Mr. Sinclair's horses in the same year. Mr. Hildreth produced a letter. dated January 16, with which the checks were inclosed. Senator Pittman, democrat, Nevada, asked Mr. Stanford to produce the checkbook from which they were taken, so that it might be developed whether checks of a lower serial number had been drawn subsequent to the date on the Hildreth checks. After the Senate committee had heard the conditions under which Mr. Doheny would surrender his l-ases, ratton T. Stanford, counsel for thé Stnclair Consolidated Oil Corpora- tion, was permitted to take the wit- ness stand in advance of Archie Roosevelt. e stated that he desired £ be heard with resard to the tosti- mony glven yesterd ieve- 1y, personal ‘counsel for Mr. Sinclair, to whom the oll magnate had loaned 500 shares of Consolidited stock, which were converted inty cash for Zevely's benefit and $25,000 in liberty Dbonds, which Zevely stated had neen Joancd by Sinclair's direction to for- mer Secretary Fall. ixplaining that Zevely able to be present today, Stanford submitted to the committee in his behalf a note under date of May 28, 1923, for $25,000 payable in tweive months, which Fall had glv>n to secure the loan of the liLerty bonds. tanford wantsd to withdraw the orlginal note and substituted in its place a photestat but this the com- mittee refused to permit. Checks Given Committee. Two canceled checks, drawn by Zevely upon the Ja Ja Corporation, one for $84,000, dated November 8, 1922, to the order of Willlaix Thaw, irom whom Zevely clalmed he pur- chagsed a_ home on Long Island, and the other under the same date for $2,125 to the order of James DL Strong. as commisslon in nsgotiating the real estate transaction, were ulso turned over to the commlitte by Stan- ford. The committee was told by Stan- ford that he had ‘received a cable- gram from Sinclalr in Parls, stating that he would expedite his business and return to the United States at | ihe earlicst date possible. Replying to a question from Senator Walsh, democrat, Montana, Stanford stated that he would cable Sinclair for in- formation a$ to the loeation of the books of the Hyva Corporation, a holding company privately organized by Sinclair, and ask his permission 10 bring them before the committee. He said he expected to receive a fa- vorable reply from Sinclair. Archle Roosevelt was then asked by the committee to review his previous testimony. Senator Smoot, republican, Utah, declaring that the universal ‘opinion after his former appearance and the subsequent evi- ven by G. D. Wahlberg, was “that nothing definite had been ar- rived at” especially with reference 10 the canceledchecks for $68,000, which Roosevelt had stated Wahl- berg told him had been drawn to_the order of the manager of the Fall ranch in New Mexico. Roosevelt Admits Worry. After explaining the length and character of his service with the Sin- clair_company, Roosevelt was asked by Senator Smoot whether he had discussed with any one in_the Sin- clair company besides Mr. Wahlberg the matter of payments made by Sin- clair to Fall “Yes, 1 have,” he replied. “I have done it this wi T have asked them .if it could be possible that such things could happen. I have been worrled about it. I do not want to get any more people into this than I can help.” “What the committee wants are the facts in the case, and we are al- together unconcerned as to who shall be_called,” said Senator Smoot. There is nobody with whom I have discussed the case who had any definite information. 1 have confided to them my suspicions, and have asked them if there was anything to them. I was particularly anxious to know whether I should resign from compan ‘When did you first think of re- eigning’ I have always thought I could make more money if I resigned and was un- &ated they\knew of any fraud on which concluded | revious testimony | itterly repudist- | that the | s 'as :ilus- | of the! “can- | the part of the Sinclair Consolidated oil Company In these leases.” NO, state that.” ‘Worried Because of Ted. Telling the committee that he “had been worried about this thing for several reasons” especially because of his brother Theodore's connection with the Navy Department, Roosevelt related his visit to Wahlberg's office, | and thelr conversation, to which he had previously testified, espectally with reference to the canceled checks for a $88,000 loan, and Mr. Wahlberg's suggestion that if he was called he would be expected to lle. Wahlberg had complained to him several times, the witness said, “about his general hard times.” “Did he say anything about Sin- clair helping others and not helping him,” Senator Smoot asked. do not think so.” ou are quite sure he said canceled checks were checks sent the manager of the Fall ranch?” “That is what I understood.” ‘ou do mot think you could be m(quken do not see how e did not say Sinclair ranch'?" “I do not think he mentioned that {at all” | Did Not See Checks. The witness declared that he had not seen any checks during his talk with Wahlberg, explaining that the conver- | sation had been held at & window. led by the questions of the committes the witness repeated his former testimony of his telephone conversation with Wahi- berg at 1:30 and 7 o'clock last Monday morning, the day of thelr previous ap- pearance before the committee, { The witness maintained that during the earlier talk Wahlberg had made no denial of Roosevelt's statement that he had told of having or of having seen | canceled checks drawn to the order of | the foreman of Fall's ranch, but that during the later telephone talk Wahl- | berg had denied that he had made any | such statement conccrning canceled checks, Rooseveit repeated his former testi- ‘ mony about sending his friend Crandall | to find Wahlberg to have the latter call him on the long distance phone, and of discussing with Crandall his intention to resign. after informing him that he had decided to write his brother Theo- dore in Washington, explaining the dis- closures which Wahlberg had made. Roosevelt stated that in the last tele- phone conversation with Wahlberg he had asked him whether he was scared and that Wahlberg had replied he was. “T told him 1, too, was scared,” the witness added. Several times Roosevelt repeated in reply to questions from members of the committee that he could not | lhave been mistaken that Wahlberg had told him of canceled checks for 5 $88.000 drawn to the order of Fall's iranch foreman. | Met Wahiberg in Baltimore. Roosevelt said he had gone by automobile from Washington to Bal- timore last Monday to meet Wahl- {berg, who wus on his way to Wash- | ington to appear before the commit- tee. His wife accompanied him, Roosevelt said, and they with Wahl- 1 berg occupied a drawing room on jthe trip from Baitimore to Wash- Ington. The purpose of making this trip, ihe explained, was to discuss again | with ‘Wahlberg the matter of the jcanceled checks, and see if he could not refresh the: latter's memory. “I asked him if he was sure that he had not referred to the canceled checks for $68,000," Roosevelt sald, “and Wahlberg replied that he was, 1 sald that I was sure that he had, and he asked me what 1 was going to do about { I said ‘I think I must say that it was the ca “Do you remember a_conversation | about tle on the Fall ranch asked Chalrman Lenroot. 1 remember he mentioned cattle.” ““What did he say about them?” the chairman con#inued. “I do not know, because I have | looked upon cattle as little bits of | things." | Did Not Tell of Lo: Wahlberg had not told him about the $25,000 loan to Mr. Fall which Zevely festified to yesterday, the wit- e Repiving to i _Replying to inquiries by Senator Walsh, the witnessdeciared the firet information he had of the Teapot Dome | lease was obtained from the newse papers. He said he was “immediataly interested because Ted was in. the Navy Department.” He sald he was not & stockholder in the Sinclair Com- ipany at the time the Teapot Dome lea;fez was mfiade. er another series of questions admitted that his busm»v? conm-cqli‘o)f with the Sinclair Company was rather jnominal. “In his opinion the Teapot Dome lease was most advantageous to the government. It had not cansed him, however, he said, to buy stock of | the Mammoth Company, which ownei the lease. Pressed by Senator Walsh as to whether he considered himself an expert in the valuation to be placed upon oil leases, Roosevelt re- plled that he did not. With tho permission of the com- mittee, Gratton T. Stanford submitted Roosevelt to cross-examination. The witness denied that during his con- versation with Wahlberg on the train from Baltimore he had seught to per- suade Wahlbersg to testify according to his recollection of the cancelled checks. He said that he had told ‘Wahlberg that if there was anything wrong in the testimony the commit- tee would find it out. “I think I used the word ‘suspi- cion. " Roosevelt explained. Wahl- berg told him, he said. that he could not agree with him dbout the can- celled checks. “You or your wife said that You would_have to testify that he did say_it?” asked Stanford. Yes, sir.’ “And that if you said it the public would believe you and not him?” o, sir; my wifc said something about’ the public would not believe me. “Then your wife had some stspi- cion about you? H “She always suspects me.” { “I trust the suspicion is not justi- fied.” sir, can definitely the to 1 could be.” ‘foreman of the Had Little Work te Do. | { I always do my level best.” “Now, as a matter of fact. vou! have not had much to do with th H Sinclair business for the past year?” | Vo sir, nothing except the Russian | company. Roosevelt denied that he had told friends that Sinclair had sailed for Europe incognito. What he had done was, he sald, to call up his brother, the assistant secretary of the Navy and tell him that Sinclair had sailed, and that his name was not to be put on the passenger list. He told one or two other persons, he said. after | it_began to be talked amround the! office that Sinclair had sailed. “You are quite sure that Wahlberg did say that the checks were payable to_the foreman of the Fall ranch?’ “Yes sir.” “He might have said they were payable to the foreman of Mr. Sinclair's ranch?” Jot the way T understood him." Roosevelt told the committee in { reply to inquiries by members that : : Montgomery & Co., of New York were bankers for the Sinciair Company with whom his brother Theodore was at one time connected. . “My brother Ted said there is a| chap I know In New York. and he | might give you a job” Roosevelt | stated, adding, “and that is how it came about.” “Did_your brother go to Sinclair & Co.?" asked Senator Dill, democrat, Washington. “Yes, sir, Job.” ‘Wahlberg on Stand. G. D. Wahlberg, who was. until he resigned a few days ago, private sec- retary to Sinclair, was closely ex- amined by the committee in an effort to remove the conflict in his testi- mony as to Roosevelt's recollection of the reference to canceled checks. he helped me get the talned two loans of consolidated stock, the first for 3,000 shares and | the second for 500, the loans being made a few days apart in the fall of 1922, The liberty bonds were not placed at Zevely's order, he said, until aboat the middle of May, 1923, Senator Walsh read’ Wahlberg's prior. testimony to polnt out that ad told the committee the stock and bonds had been delivered at the same time, Wahlberg. replied' that asince x i .lunded‘hlm the two checks that had | posed He explained that Zevely had ob- | his previous appearance he had been able to ociate the transactions, and wanted to cerrect his former testimony. . He was positive that a long period had elapsed between the loans of stock and liberty bonds, and he in- sisted that he did not himselt direct the shipment of the bonds to an El Paso bank to be placed to the credit of Fall. He said another clerk had mnde the shipment and that he did not know anything of the letter of transmittal which he supposed Zev- ely had written the bank, explaining the use to be made of the bonds. Witness told the committee after examining the Zevely checks put in evidence today that they were prob- ably drawn in the Sinclair office be- cause they bore the safetv stamp his office used. Wahlberg admitted this in his talk with Roosevelt about can- celled checks, but insisted the con- versation had no reference to checks to Fall's foreman. When the witness was turned over to Stanford he was asked whether he had on his desk when talking with Roosevelt checks aggregating §68.- 000. Wahlberg replicd that he had, nd that he had said to Roosevelt here are checks for $68.000 to the nager of a horse farm “Evidently Mr. Roosevelt m derstood e, he added. imagined T said to the manager af the Fall farm.” Shown Two Checks. At this point Stanford Wallberg two checks totaling 3$68.- 244.27, drawn to the order of S. C.| Hildreth. The witness explained that in his conversation with Roosevelt m handed he had said something about “checks|ga for the horse farm or the manager of the horse farm, or something like that, which may have been misun- derstood as Fall's farm.” He insist- ed that the Hildreth checks had been mailed on Wednesday, January 16, the day Sinclair sailed for Europe. Wahiberg said when he had related to Roosevelt his complaints because of his treatment by Sinclair, Roose- velt told him “to tell him (Sinclair) to_go to hell.” Witness said he could not do that and quoted Roosevelt as having de- clared that Sinclair “was an upstart anyway.” He admitted that he had suggested to Roosevelt that Sinclair probably was going to Europe because of the turn in the investigation given by the testimoiy at Palm Beach of Ed- ward B. McLean, Washington news- paper publisher. He declared, how- ever, that he knew that Sinclair had bueiness in Russia. Among the things which caused him to tell Roosevelt that he was thinking of resigning, Wahlberg declared, was “the turn” taken in the investigation. “I thought,” he said, “I would be called upon to submit books and checks 1 did not know about. There were checks drawn to myself T could not ex- plain; checks for $5,000 or $£10,000 I could not explain. That was why 1 said T may be expected to lie about something.” Forgot Checks Before. Chairman Lenroot and other mem- bers of the committee commented, in examining Wahlberg, that at his prior appearance he had said nothing about the Hildreth checks. His only explana- tion was that he was greatly worried about other matters and had forgotten about them. “When you were here before you thought it ‘was quite likely that it was your talk about six or eight cows that Mr. Roosevelt had confused with $68,- 000, suggested Senator Walsh. “That was the nearest explanation I could offer.” “Reflecting upon that you came to the conclusion that it was an improb- ability?” Ces, “That would wash."” . “Nevertheless, talkted cows.” Witness told the committee there were no cancelled checks, and could | offer no explanation how Roosevelt could have understood him as talk- ing of cancelled checks. Hildreth Salary $25,000. Wahlberg told the committee that Hildreth got In addition to his salary of $25,000 a vear a commission of 10 per cent of the winnings of the Sin- clair stable: The committee called Hildreth and sir.” the story never we about been put in evidence. He said that al- though transmitted in 4 letter dated January 16,.which he filed with the committee, the checks had. mnot reached him until the 2ist. It usual- 1y required a day for his mail from the Sinclalr office to reach him, ‘he said. The checks were cashed by his wife on the 2drd, he testified. McNab’s Statement. Mr. McNab made_this stateme; connection with the Doheny offer o ,:'.' convey the lease: “Mr. E. L. Doheny yesterday pro- to your committee that he would cause “the Pan-American Pe- troleum and Transport Company to Teconvey all interest in the contracts of that company known as the Pearl Harbor contracis. it a board of ex- Perts were appointed to examine into the contracts and-that board decided they were not wise, advantageous and the best that the government could have made, upon the condition that the government reimburse the com- pany for its actual expenditures made under the contracts without profit. ‘At the hearing on January 24 the chairman of the committee asked Mr. Doheny if he would be willing to have these contracts so reconveyed without the intervention of the sug- gested board of experts. \*Upon further consideration of the matter, Mr. Doheny now wishes to inform you that he is willing, in order that there may be no basis for criticism of his company’s dealings Wwith the government, to recommend the acceptance of the modification of his original offer suggested by the chairma; Ot course, you are aware that Mr. Doheny has at all times contended and’ contends that all of his com- pany’s leases and contracts are en- tirely legal and valld, and that this letter is without prejudice to his and his company's position if the ar- rangement herein referred to be not concluded. Gives Figures on Lease. “The following is an approximate statement (made up as accurately ¢ Hhe"slitation Tguraia: the Feast of the situation re ‘ear] harbor construct! = Upper, left to right: Reed Smoos Irvine 1 Peter Norbeek, South Dakota Center, left to rights Holm O. Bursum, Arizona: Key Pittman. Neva Kendrick, Wyoming: Thomas X Photos by Cost harbor. 192 as facilities —$4.500,000. Value, as par contract, of fuel oil delivered to Pearl harbor (completed contract)—$1.986,000 “The excess of development and opfrating expenditures over income derived from sale of production from nasal reserve lands amounts to $300,- o “Total, “Value ered ny Pearl a1, contract of to December products dellv- to s ‘There will be credited against this approximate amount the value of working materials and supplies on hand and which can be utilized else- where by the company. Obligated for $2,000,000. “In addition to the foregoing the | company is obligated on construction | contracts heretofore let to expend approximately $2,000.000 in connec- tion with the Pearl harbor develop- ment.. Should the government not wish_t! nlete these contracts and cance same, the company’s ob- | ligation to the subcontractors would be only the estimated amount of profit onathe contracts canceled. “Mr. Doheny does not understand that the several emall leases com- prising approximately two sections altogether and the leasing of which was determined upon for the purpose of drilling offset wells to prevent drainage by wells on adjoining pri- vate lands has been in any way sub- jected to criticism by the committee, and he takes it that the committee and Congress will desire the con- tinued operation of these wells in | order that the government interest | may be protected. “As to these leases, whether or not they are recognized by the commit- tee’ as valld. Mr. Doheny {s willing to recommend that they be operated | by his company until such time as the entire net revenue therefrom (in- cluding royalty oil inuring to the government), together with any other credits which may exist, shail have equaled whatever balance is or may become due to the company for ex- penditures herétofore made or in- cured as hereinbefore stated, sald amount to be determined by govern- ment audit. and that they then be surrendered to the government.” Walsh Cites Figures. Reviewing the terms of the leases to the Sinclair and Doheny interests, Senator Walsh, democrat, Montana, in a statement today said that if ali the ofl in the Teapot Dome reserve were taken out under the lease, and the government given from 16 to 17 per cent. the government would havc not to exceed five million barrels. “The question is presented accord- ingly.” Senator Walsh said, “as to whether it would be better for the government to have twenty-two mil- lion barrels in the ground or five mil- Jlon barrels out of the ground. that is not the whole story. The con- tract of Sinclair is not only a lease, but it is a contract of sale under which the government sells its roval- ty ol to Sinclair, who pays for it in royalty certificates . reciting the But | Utah: Edwin F. Ladd, North Dakota; Lenroot, Wiseonsin, chairman; Robert Nelson Stanfield, Oregon; New Mexico; Ralph H. Cameron, . New Mexico: John B. Dill, Washington. hrach amount of ofl sold by the government | value thereof, at the cur- rent rate, settlements being made monthly. ' These certificates may be exchanged for fuel ofl at the seu- board, barrel for.barrel They may | be utilized to purchase from Sinclair | gasoline, kerosene, lubricating ofl and | other oil products. | " “The contract provides that Sinclair shall construct storage tanks at the seaboard for the government at its request, payment for which is to be made in these oil certificates. Tt is in evidence that it takes about two bar- rels of oil to pay for one barrel of storage, so that as a matter of fact the government would have at the seaboard in the tanks when they are constructed only one-third of 5.000.- | 000 barrels of royalty oil, or 1,666,666 | barreis. “The real question. acordingly. i | whether it is preferable to have 22 000,000 barrels of oil in tht ground or 11,666,666 in tanks at the seaboard. “The contract with Doheny for naval reserve No. 1, is in its details quite like that with Sinclair. The lat- ter declared before another commit- tee of the Senate that at the time | he made the Teapot leage he expected | to make $100,000.000 out of it, that is. | it was worth that amount to him. URGE BIG STICK USE. | with the Kansas Representatives Wire Cool- idge Asking Action. By the Assoclated Prese. CHICAGO, January 26—Five publican congressmen from Kansas in Chicago today jointly sent a tele- gram to President Coolidge's secre- tary, declaring the Teapot Dome oil reserve lease matter, under investi- gation by a Senate committee, de- | mands vigorous action by the Presi- dent. They urged that -the “big stick” be used. The message, addressed to Bascom Slemp, the President's secretary, reads: “Belleve situation demands vigor- ous action by President in oil lease | matter. Public amazed by develop- | ments, and nothing could increase | confidence in, administration like use of big stick without delay. Think it important—hit at once and hit hard.” It was signed by J. N. Tincher, Homer Hoch, D. R. Anthony, jr.i J. C. | Strong and Hays B. White. The Kansas congressmen declared action by the President would in- crease confidence in-the administra- | tion and that the public is amazed b‘y the disclosures in the investiga- tion. re- B Many names given the copperhead snake in various parts of the country are: Pilot, red-eve, red adder, cop- per belly and) in the s=outh, cetton- mouth and moccash |LEAD COMPANY LEASE URGE SUMMER SITE FOR WHITE HOUSE Warrenton, Va., Delegation Here to Press “Heart of Fauguier” Location. = Warrenton effort to have $200,000 willed the nation by the late J. Wilson Leaki noted Baltimore attorney, for the establishment of a summer White House and also to se- lect the site for this executive man- sion in the heart of Fauquier county, three miles from Warrenton. A committes of citizens has been formed for this purpose and a few days ago Judge Latham Fletcher of the circuit court of Fauquicr and Loudoun and C. E. Tiffany, president of the Fauquier National Bank, rep- resenting this prganization, came to ‘Washington and conferred with Vir- ginia scnators and representative on_this question. \ This committce claims that location is within the distance pre- scribed by the will of Mr. Leakin. At the time the will was made pub- lie. December 23, 1922, reports stated that the site should be “within au- tomobile distance f Washington”; that it should be * fty miles from Washington” and that it probably would be located in Maryland, - Noted American Resort. rrenton, for 100 years a more,” savs the committee “has boon one ‘of the noted resorts of the { United States, and has commanded the attention of those who enjoy country life in its best form. ‘In the heart of the great . county nf_ Fauquier, within three miles of Warrenton, is a little mountain upon the pinnacle of which is a tree quite historic, known as ‘View Tree,” and Which thousands have visited fo en jov the magnificent inspiring view Which may be had from that point, From its summit to the east there a glorious pastoral scene. To the st and not far distant the majestic Blue Ridge mountains. It is said that n_avers 11“.— d with a good ass < o be ‘seen.” St O “View Tree Hall» “Quite near this elevation, w! over 100 feet above Sea 1evel, tueis now appears an 0le$:'lnt country home, known as ‘View Tree Hall, which contains over twenty room: No setting could be more heautif, no environment could be more pic- turesque. No expense in architectural and artistic development was spared. The property has an indescribable charm. It is also distinguishable by being far back from the public high- way. Magnificent forest trees are on the lawn. .Winding drives and rides are had through the timber houndary close by. Over 300 acres of rolling land are within its survey. “A .reasonable figure at which this property can be acquired was es- tablished in negotiations between those concerned in_presenting it for consideration to Congress and the owner before he knew the objective of their effort. The actual cost of the property, under the arrangements that have thus been made, will leave a surplus for the partial upkeep, thus , s Co waking every 4 accept the the Congress would have to make. “Warrenton. via Fairfax, and through the historic Bull Run section, is distant fifty-one miles. Another route. via Fairfax, Middleburg and The Plains, over a macadamized road is sixty miles. By rail, Warrenton, reached by the Southern railway, is fifty-five mile: ROOSEVELT BROTHERS EN ROUTE TO OIL HEARING limiting the appropriation that the | VALID, SAYS MANAGER Statement Comes as Result of Move | * for Investigation Made in ! Oklahoma Legislature. DECLARED ONLY RENEWAL © Those Submitted. By the Associated Press. JOPLIN, Mo., January 2 {gorical denial that there was an ir- regularity in the awarding of a {lease on a block of restricted Indian A ca Bid Accepted Is Declared Best of | HULL SEES BIGGEST SCANDAL IN LEASE { Democratic Chief, Denounc- | ing Oil Deal, Says Issue Is Clean Government. The leases of Teapot Dome naval oil reserve and naval ofl reserve No. 1, in Callfornifa, have become “the greatest political scandal of thls or lany other generation,” Chairma Cordell Hull of the democratic na land in Ottawa county, Okla., to the |Bagle-Picher Lead Company by Al- bert B. Fall, former Secretary Interior, was issued here A. E_ Bendelari, Dre manager of the mines. M#. Bendelari’s statement followed a resolution introduced in the Okla- homa senate Friday by & Courtland M. Feuqua, which would ask the Senate public lands commit- tee now investigating the Teapot Dome Naval oil lease to extend its scope of inquiry to the granting of the lease to the Eagle-Pic r Com- today vice ident and uqua charges the resolution ithat the lease was granted to the lowest bidder, thereby causing an annval 10ss to’ the Indians of “almost 1$1,000,000 in royvalties. Bendelari Statement. The statement follows: The leases that the Eag d Company received from the partment of the Interior in 1 simply renewals of leases on 1at they had been operating th cight vears. After the matter been pending for two years bef the department, during which time numerous hearings were held before the Indian commissioner, with ail par- tics interested appearing, introducing evidence and filing briefs, the com- missioner appointed a commission of three representatives to come to O lahoma to make inspection and vestigation. ‘This commission included a repre sentative of the bureau of mines and an employe of the Indian commission- er's office for twenty years. Analyzed by Experts. “The award of the leases was made to the Eagle-Picher Lead Company after sealed bids had heen submitte Dy all interested parties, and th award was made bids were care fully analyzed by experts of i bureau of mir when a formal opinion was rendered by the com- missioner that the bids of the £ Picher Lead Company was the submitted. The leases were then p pared and sent to the Secretary the Interior for his appro “That the entire matt in_every respect by the fact luter ded to anoth compan der the same procedure and at the same rovalty by | Fall, and later a block of the ‘same district was awarded still another company under the san, at the same royalty by Work.” in Dhe wer lands past in- acre: u etary WANTS OBSOLETE CHILD LAWS ENDED Expert Regrets Mounting Number of Statutes—Tells Progress of Welfare Code. In revising child welfare legisla- | tion in Washington that which is ob- solete should be repealed and only such new laws enacted as are posi- tively needed, Frank F. Nesbit, retary of the commission on public welfare legislation, declared in a statement last night. “Every student of government grets the mounting volume of law, both state and federal,” read the statement. “No one would willingly contribute to that enormous volume anything additional unless new laws were absolutely necessary. “It is, of course, important to repeal that which is obsolete, but the new legislation proposed ought to be based un the experience of other states: it ought to he proposed be cause of a definite and positive need accomplish its purpose and to be well considered from every point of view Duty to Cpidren. The statement emphas that it is the duty of the see that every dependent, neglected and delinguent child is receiving ade- quate care and protection The present movement toward standardization of child welfare legis- | lation dates back, Nesbit said, to| the children’s act passed by England in 1908, which resulted in such prog- ress that it was called the children's "magna charta.” A year later, he explained, America followed suit, when President Reose- velt called a’conference at Wasains- ton of child welfare cxperts Home Life Upheld. “it will be remembered that the greatest pronouncement of this con- ference was that home life was the finest product of modern civilization, and that no child should be taken from his home and his parents except for grave and serious reasons which make it impossible for him to secure a square deal in his home,” the state ment continued. “It was also the conclusion of thi conference that the state should equip itself to discharge its full obligation to the child, and it was recognized that good law was one means of dis- charging that obligation. “Following this White House con- ference, which stands as one of the great achievements of a _great Pres- ident, the Governor of Ohio in 1811 appointed a child welfare commission to study the laws of that state and make suitable recommendutions. The commission reported to the lexislu- ture a considerable body of proposed laws which was enacted in 1913. Thus | § Ohio was the first state to r the important relations between law and the children. “In 1913 Oregon and New Hamp: !lrn‘ created child welfare commis: in 1914 the District of Columbia then followed Missouri, Minnes Michigan, Wisconsin and &« 1. rgo number of other states, until at pres- ent thirty-two states have commis sions or committees 'of one sort or another whose business js to find out whether the laws on the statute books are serving the interest of children or not and to propose such changes are circumstances made wise and necessary. These commissions have repealed and amended a very large body of law in this country. ‘They have also proposed a number of new and progressive measures | which have protected more ade- quately the rights, interests and fu- ture hopes of the coming generation. “Just ten years after the White House conference of 1909 the federal 1 children’s bureau called another con- ference, to which were invited not only experts from America, but ex- perts from every progressive country in the world, and here again were threshed out the great social prob- lems Involved in child protection. The findings of the White House confer- cogniz that exists protection of “Archie Roonevelt (-l.ln) who testifed yesterday . before the Semate committee investigating the Teapot Deme | ence in, 1904 were in the main ap- Reapeveit, assjstant secrelary .of Navy,. . . 3 ed. of the | by | nator | it ought to be well, drafted so as to | zed the fact | state to | tionul committee declared in a stat. {ment lust night. He said that “the multiplication of scandals under the republican ministration which came into power March 4, 1921 has created an ad- ditional issue for the 1924 campalgn | “The bluntly stated,” said r. Hu ‘Shall the United States corrupt government or {clcan government? | “When this administration into - continued Mr. Hull, {wi the most reaction lars went ever known in the his- political party, which was the most sclfish and financial and industrial ever grouped to plunder and n E proda tio part masses handit Tar pain n t issue, 1 came {tory of a Kue | predacions interests for publi exploitation interests support {in lea with which the the republican al wciall clement in levied tribute upon the [the people as did the |and his followers in cighth an - looted 1 zovernment of prope and 1 |sources. Administration officials ha jeven turned over to private interest the oil re upon which our burning Nav merchant_mari would have to in time of war Scandals Listed. is administration came in und nd the Daugherty followed in guick ing the hure 1 o Ehip andal, the sy al. the naval ofl re scandal .Gncluding Teap Dome), the reclamation service al, the income tax bureau scand the packers’ and stockyards scand: the Tolbert scandal. the Slemp sear dal, and a long Jist of others less known, with one now brewing in the tarift commission, where thres co rs are ought to be af from by reason r past affiliation with ir flected by their decision is scarcely & department of th nment under this administra- £ not_discredited by hany bureaus not already under_suspicion of reactionar: sidy Veierar profitee or acting There gove scandaliz Sin: this ero been in . rent i Senator C: {Attor jthe hel they e Department of sell the White Hous - from any ecution courts None of the scanda has been ex- reactic ry republicans. ail « the infamous Teap ndal would ever have been for the exposures democrats, in the face republican obstrue- & in the startling and elations developed efforts of the t demacratic senator from Mon- Mr. Walsh, No one connected ministration seandals has been by the administration. The tment of Justice, which Unit- ates s leges to be unde wide suspi has made ) 1t protect or defend the pub ests. so far as they were threaten or_affeeted by these scandale. i . During most of this administration Mr. Coolidge Vice President cf the United s un ur official the resident cabinet carly six months ha { has bheen ent of the United States. During all this time he has uttered no word of condemnation < {any of these scandals, nor a word o 1 ng against those ending n ainst the rpolicy pursued bv th republican reactionaries who domi- nate the administration. | President's Statement. | “It was not until vesterday, when the testimony concerning the alleged |loans to Fall was made public. that ]\w was aroused from his lethargy to make an statement concerning the Teapot Dome scandal, and then only to say that he s reluctant to belleve {that any one has been guilty of criminal intent, but that if evidence jof criminality shown, the adminis- |tration will take ion to punish the I guilty and to -ing about the annul- ent of the lease. which, of course ould be a mere matter of routine. {estimony referred to was been as blind appar- e tary of the Navy Denby to be when he testified in »t Dome scandal. Secretary p:\l\n fl[.l’"(l the naval oil is still in President Coolidge's llx\'»i et, and Theodore Roosevelt, who {extifed he approved tho leases, is e e e o aasistant. Dr: Work. Tesponsible for the reclamation serv- fco scandal, is still Secretary of the Interior. Others less offensive, but s discredited, continue to ocoupy tiions of honor and trust. Ithough the time would seem to be ripe for a house-cleaning through- out the entire administration there is no promise of “l nm:iuny indication hat it is contemplate N THe work of cleanng these Augean {stables devolves upon the peop‘er They are the ones who must answe and decide the question hall the United States have corrupt SO‘TEhr"'V ment or clean go vernment?’ a Loy Know, or should know, in adrance that no change for the better oan {take place under a republican Presi; {dent. dominated by this selfi 1 Ao oy "element in the party which is in league with Lo"umbl'u. = I 46 matter who the republican nominee may b GIRL WOUNDED AT BIER | OF HER GRANDMOTHER Pistol in Cousin's Hand Explodes Bullet Accidentally—Victim Expected to Live. Special Dispateh to The Star. WINCHESTER. Va., Miss <Genevieve Lockhart dentally shot and seriously wounded carly today by her cousin, Marshall Shagogue of Baltimore, while they Wwere watching at the bier of their grandmother, Mrs. Annie E. Pugh, widow of Smith Pugh, at Gore, twelve miles west of here. Miss Lockhart was sitting in a chair with ber arms folded when an automatic pistol exploded & bullet, inflicting two wounds in her lJeft arm and an- other in the right arm. Shagogue said he took out the olip of the revolver and overlooked tb fact that a cartridge remained in it. As he snapped the trigger the bullet struck his cousin. Hospital doctors ! here said today Miss Lockhart would recover unless complications de- veloped. She is a daughter of James H. Lockhart, a lumber dealer. — ‘Windows, with sashes that can he raised and lowered and revolved hori- zontally to ald ventilation and malke = washing easler are now on_the ral jin the { multiplicity ‘(u\ d a det sc by ‘of tionar: |tion, culmi {shameful ‘|)vr4u.|..'h the pers ‘u]. | punist = {m protes: the Te Dent leases, 26. acei- January was ’ [ "/