, 1922-05-22


state Republican orpanizatioi
port the oil from Wyoming IN a crude
state. to be refined at some eastern
refinery Instead Of its being refined
nt ons or more of the half dozen wyo-
ming refineries. The political nsso-
GATES of h gentleman who assumes
responsibility for the defense Of this
contract not having made reply there
to. someone who has mover ,een iden-
tilted with state politics may - JUS
titled in making answer
In the first place IL is suggested
that some OF the criticism of the Tea
pot program may have political base.
Let us hope so. Nothing could pos
sibiy divide the NO schools of politt-
cal thought today moro clearly than
attack and defense of the plans to
secretly hand out n billion dollar con-
tract to develop public resources, and
las far as Wyoming state politics are
concerned to plan that development
Upon n basis Of shipping the oil out
OF the state for refining and, other
treatment The first part of this
premise marks the differences be-
tween those who believe in invisible
government and rewards to tho faith
full partisan from assets OF the gen.
eral public and those who do not be
lieve In such procedure; and the sec
ond division will separate those who
believe that defense of a national
party organization or prominent party
official is of greater importance than
the welfare Of the people of a single
state. Whether you are Republican
or Democrat has nothing to do with
this matter. That Is n matter of po-
litical pedigree. But whether you be-
lieve in IA square deal or Just n deal.
believe in the open roa and open
door. or in the back stairs and n pri-
vnte entrance. believe in open bidding
and open discussion OF public con-
tracts. or in the infallibility of public
servants in secretly selecting the best
terms and most deserving recipient of
official recognition. are all matters
which go TO your real political prin-
ciples. and also determine whether
you are for or against the Teapot
contract. Whether you favor one or
tho other of these ideas will. IL you
happen TO hold public office or to vol
unteer political advice. tell whether
you are n politician or a mere parti-
san.
Naval Reserve Leasing Laws.
The defense OF Teapot dome oil ex-
p~loitation begins with the assertion
that the contract has the express au-
thority of law for its making. That
Is admitted. Those who secretly Sc
cure government contracts worth mil
lions always know before hand that
there is express authority of law"
for the making of h contract. If
the law is deficient when plans are
formulating. then the law necessary
is created. In the instance case n
public oil and gas leasing law WINS
passed by congress pm February 20,
1920. This law had its inception in
1914. and was put forward as a last
resort by those who had made devel-
opment of oil upon government res
e%rvations. either originally in ignor-
ance of the fact of withdrawal. or
reliance of legal ad-
vice as to what effect the law had
existing but unprotected mining
In addition to our many gen
eral Withdrawals of areas for oil and
there existed three such with
drawals which President Taft had de-
clared to be withdrawn for the spe-
cific purpose of supplying the United
navy with oil. They were des-
ignated naval reserves. two in Cali
and one in Wyoming known
the Teapot dome. being a good
sized structure lying to the southeast
of Salt Creek structure, and ssp-
from IT by a low saddle or
syncline. One or both of h Cali
Continued on Page Seven)