The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-12
Los Angeles Business Men
Who 'Staked' Trip to Sibe-
ria Have Had No Report.
EACH ADVANCED $4,000
Original idea Involved No
Billion Dollar Orders Nor
Diplomatic Policies.
DOHENY SYNDICATE HEAD
Washington Would Have to
Be Consulted to Safeguard
Capital Involved i'm Deal.

Special Despatch 10 THE New YORK HERALD.
Los ANGELES. Dec. 11.-Los Angeles
business men who backed Washington
d. vanderlip in his exploration tour
in Siberia are as anxious TO know the
real story Of his reputed success in
getting concessions for vast unde-
veloped lands there as is the rest of
the world.
They say frankly that they know
nothing outside of newspaper reports
of what has been done by Mr.. Wander
lip. as he has made no report to them
whatsoever-in fact, he has had no
opportunity to do so. They say he
made the proposal to them that he be
financed in a prospecting trip to ST.
IBERIA, where, on a previous trip, he
had seen indications of large oil, coal
and mineral deposits. They each
agreed to chip In on the grub stake"
and a number of prominent men put
up $4,000 each TO defray expenses.
1t is declared here that 1t was dis
tinctly understood that the trip was a
prospecting venture for minerals. and
that Mr.. Vanderlip was 10 endeavor to
obtain concessions for their exploitation
and development. Nothing was said
about getting huge trade orders. or gain
ing political favors or giving them. So
the men who backed him were surprised
when it was announced from Moscow
that tentative orders had been placed
through Mr.. Vanderlip and his syndicate
FOR three billion dollars worth Of goods.
bankers Among the Bac<ers.
Men who financed the trip are Ed
ward l.. Doheny. oil magnate and indus
trial empire builder In Mexico. who was
mentioned as candidate for the Vice
Presidency; a group of bankers. includ-
ing j. r. Sartori. ]. f. Flshburn and o.
4. Brant; business men. including Lee
a. Phillips. i. w. Braun and Max Whit
tier; Harry Chandler. publisher OF the
Los Angeles Times; T. L. Gibbon. attor-
ney. Of Los Angeles. and others.
These men have been interested in
the land and power developments OF
California. and I'm line with their for
mer successes took a chance, as they
say. In the prospects as outlined by Mr..
Vanderlip. They disclaim any RESPONSE
bility for what Vanderlip has done ex-
cept in so far as was provided in their
agreement when they put up the ex-
pense money.
None OF these men at the present
time will venture hazard as to the
present situation or the outcome. They
deny political intent of any kind or
81 del x.rft fka
Soviet Government. They apparently
are ready. however. to accept RESPONSE
bility in a business way for the devel-
opment of that part of Siberian terri
tory to exploit which 1t was originally
Intended that Vanderlip should procure
concessions.
They contend that until they have
had personal reports from and inter-
views with Mr.. Vanderlip they can do
nothing. They have In mind that any
Investments or business transactions in
Siberia must have certain international
bearings which will have to be taken
up with the Government. They also
want reasonable business guarantee
that their capital will not be jeopardized.
Question OF an Acceptance.
All this must be gone into In detail
with Mr.. vanderlip before decision can
be made as to the outcome. IL is be.
lieved here that II accepting the pro-
posal does not involve the Government
the progressive records OF these bust
ness men Indicate that they viii play
the opportunity to the limit.
Mr.. vanderlip Is not very well known
here. but his record as an engineer Is not
questioned. although no brilliant previ-
Gus accomplishments are credited to him
lie has been teacher of engineering in
various places and is known as a close
student OF mining. In this Russian af-
fair opinions are reserved until interna-
tional complications may be cleared
away.
No one doubts that the engineer has
located vast deposits In Siberia. but their
value is considered TO depend on whether
there Is a political string attached 10 his
concessions.
The only criticism so far is that Mr..
vandcrlip may have given premature
and undue publicity to his doings. but
this is condoned In some quarters by the
possibility that the Soviet Government
seized the opportunity to play him politi-
cally and for economic advantage.