The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-02
OIL MEN ALLEGED TO
HAVE SUPPLIED LOBBY
GREASE TO JIM HARRIS

Oklahoma City March "A report
charging that a lobby fund of un-
known amount was raised in Tulsa
by number of oil men and turned
over TO L. G, Disney of Muskogee
with instructions to deliver to James
A. Harris, chairman OF the Republ-
can state central committee, was sub
mitted today by the senate investiga
ton committee.
Grant Mccullough, e. w. Sinclair,
w. G. Skely. and r. h. Perry, all Of
Tulsa were among the contributors,
the report stated.
The report states that part of the
fund in the form of four checks 10
the amount Of $500 was sent TO Harris
in this manner, and that James \.
Harris, John Appeby and l.. G.. Dis
ney. together with their associates
were Immediately thereafter and for
some days actively and mutually en-
gagged in lobbying with members Of
the Legislature"
The report was signed by Chas f.
McPherren, chairman of the commit
tee; Tom Anglin, Joe Sherman and
Clark Nichols. With the exception of
Sherman. who is a Republican, all
are Democrats. II. Brown. Republi-
can, did not sign the report.
The report of the committee fol.
lows:
Mr. President:
I'VE, your committee on invesuga-
tion appointed under senate resolu-
ton No. rs. directing that the current
rumor that certain persons other than
members Of the house and senate have
been lobbying and spending money
lavishly to influence pending leS1sla-
tion report that we find the facts
as follows:
"We find from the evidence adduced
before us that fund, the entire
amount of which we are unable at
this time 10 state, was raised in the
city of Tulsa among members OK the
oil fraternity, and that part OF the
same in the form of four checks 10
the amount Of $500. payable to James
a. Harris, was delivered to l.. G..
Disney OF Muskogee in Tulsa, on
January 3. the day before the conven-
ing Of the Legislature, with instruct
ions 10 deliver the same to James A.
Harris in person IN Oklahoma City.
THAT said James A. Harris, John
Appleby and l.. G. Disney, together
with their associates, were immedi-
ntely thereafter and for some days
actively and mutually engaged in
lobbying with members of the legisla-
ture. We find from the evidence that
among the contributors were the fol-
lowing:
Grant Mccullough, f. w. Sinclair
w. G. Skelly and +. K Perry, all OF
Tulsa. We find from the evidence
that the same said James A. Harris
and his associates have maintained
open house and active headquarters al
the Lawrence hotel during the entire
time Of This session and that such
headquarters on the part OF any pot
tical organization have never hero o.
fore been maintained during the ses-
sions Of the Legislature.
I'VE find that the evidence that the
belief is general among Legislators
and others appearing before this COM
mittee that Harris solicited and raised
about January /, a considerable sum
o. money for use during the pending
session Of the legislature in jnflu-
encing legislation and that such gem
eral belief is detrimental 10 the best
interests OF the people of the state
That the influence of organized lobby
appeared from the testimony 10 have
been most apparent in It's opposition
10 the passage by the house Of repre-
sentatives of an act making an ap-
proprlatlon for the construction OF a
hospital for the accommodation and
treatment Of the states wounded SOL
diers of the world war
Unless otherwise directed by the
senate, your committee will continue
its labor and later make a final re-
port.
(Signed): Charles +. McPheren,
chairman; Tom Angln, Joe sherman
Clark Nichols"
The report OF the committee was
read in the senate shortly before
o'clock and went over under the rules
until the next legislative day.