The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-30
Marines Ordered to Gust
"0il Squatters" Drill
ing Teapot Lease
OIL FUSS, SAYS VICTIM
Dispute Between Mutual Oil
and Sinclair Co. Believed
Cause Of U. S. Action
WOULD FIGHT IT IN COURT
V. P. Of Company Now Drill
ing Claims Title Is Clear and
Dates Back to 1890
WOULD FIGHT IT IN COURT

BY the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, July 29.-Acting
Secretary Roosevelt today ordered
Major General LeJeune, command
ant Of the marine corps, to send one
officer and three or four enlisted
marines into the Teapot dome naval
oil reserve, Wyoming. at a place
about forty miles from Casper. TO
eject oil squatters, who have begun
drilling for oil.
Would "Thinls II Over"
The secretary said he issued his
order on the basis OF information
forwarded to the navy department
by the interior department some
months ago of the presence OF squat
ters on the naval reserve and after
warning had been given the squat
ters to vacate.
The head OF the group of squat
= tiers. Secretary Roosevelt said, as
late as today, notified the navy de-
partment that he would like %
think it over" before abandoning
his drilling. Roosevelt added that
after consultation with officials OF
the interior department he had de-
eided that the time had passed for
Thinking It over" and so issued his
order to General LeJeune.
One Officer, Few Men.
Asked as TO tho number Of ma
rines to be sent into the Teapot
dome reserve, Roosevelt said he had
informed General LeJeune that he
thought one officer and handful
OF men would be sufficient TO eject
the squatters. The officer and his
men, II was said at the navy depart
ment, probably would leave the ma
rine barracks here for the reserve
tomorrow or Monday.
BY the Associated Press
DENVER, Colo, July 29,-s. H,
Keoughan. vice president OF the Mu-
tual OIL company, announced late
today that he had been advised
from Washington that United States
marines have been ordered by the
navy department to eject represent
atives OF the company from the
southeast quarter OF section 20 In the
Teapot Dome naval oil reserve In
Wyoming where they are drilling a
well.
Claims Clear Title.
"r United States marines appear
on the property and order us 10
: leave we will leave, but under pro-
test" Keoughan stated.
The Mutual OIL company IL oper-
ating under a contract with individ-
uals who have a clear title TO this
quarter section" Keoughan declared.
The title dates back to 1890 and
was granted by the United States
government under the placer laws.
The Mutual company's title TO
this quarter section Is exactly the
same as other titles held by Harry
Sinclair and quit-claimed 10 the gov
vs-h al n
Teapot Dome lease" keoughan
added.
Messages from Casper, Wyo., said
the entire controversy was due TO O
dispute between the Sinclair OIL
company interests and the Mutual
Oil company.
The Mutual oil company COM
menced drilling operations six weeks
ago, Keoughan said. Requests tC
Sop drilling were received sometime
ago from the United states bureau
OF mines, department. of the Interior
he added.
1t is a matter OF record that Har'
ry Sinclair gave 10 the navy depart
ment a quit claim deed to the entire
Teapot Dome, Keoughan declared
In his published agreement with the
navy department, according &C
keoughan, Sinclair said.
Il will further undertake to quit
al outstanding claimants titles or
This reserve No. 3, thereby enabling
the government to make a contract
which will be free from controversy.
The Mutual oil company, Keaug
nan declared started drilling opera
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
Il