Evening star., 1923-11-30
SENATE ASKSFALL
APPEAR IN TEAPOT
DOME LEASE PROBE
Summons Follows Turn in
Testimony Indicating
Financial Recovery.

After Carl c. Magee, a New Mexico
editor, had testified under question
ing by Senator Walsh, democrat, Nom
tana. regarding the personal financial
status of former Secretary Albert B.
Fall of the Interior Department, the
Senate public lands committee de-
cided today to invite Mr. Fall to ap-
pear before it in its inquiry into the
leasing of the Teapot Dome naval re-
serve to the Sinclair interests.
The invitation sent by Chairman
Smoot summarized the testimony
given today and informed Mr.. Fall of
the committees opinion that he should
have an opportunity to be heard
Fall "Declnred broke.
Besides Magee, who is editor of the
New Mexico State Tribune. of Albu-
querque, the committee heard testi-
mony by G. v. Clayton, former treas
urer of Otero county, in which Mr..
Falls ranch is located, and Willard
Harris, owner of adjoining property
purchased about two years ago by the
former Secretary.
I'm In reply to questions by Senator
Walsh. Magee said he negotiated in
1870 with Fall for purchase of the
State Journal. He said Fall declared
he intended to resign as United States
senator in order to recoup his private
fortune, because he was Completely
proke, and had been unable. to keep
up the ranch or to pay his personal
taxes.
In reply to Senator Walsh's oues-
tlons, Magee said Fall had told him
In 1920 that he was completely
tinued,. great changes" had been
made in Improvement of the Fall
ranch, at Three Rivers, N. VI. Harris
testified that some of the improve
ments referred to had been made
years before.
Clayton, also questioned at length
by Senator Walsh, told the committee
that Fall was on the delinquent tax
list in 1919. but had assured county
officials that the $4,000 due would be
paid promptly when errors in as
sessments were corrected Senator
Walsh theE submitted an affidavit
from the present county treasurer
saying that Fall had paid in June,
1922, all his delinquent taxes, running
back as far as 1912.
Ranch Greatly Improved.
Magee said this statement appar-
eHkiy WAS verified Dy the condition
of the ranch and its equipment. Ques-
toned further, he said that in August,
1928, he again saw the Fall property
and was confused by the great
changes" which had been made. In
reply to questions from Chairman
Smoot and Senator Norris, republican,
Missouri, the witness said he had not
visited the ranch itself since 1920,
but had viewed the approach to it
from the railroad station at Three
Rivers.
Harris said the senator paid $91, 500
for the property bought from him,
paying $4,000 down when the pur-
chase contract was signed in 1919,
and the balance a few months later
by checks.
Throughout the session examina-
tion of the witnesses was conducted
almost wholly by Senator Walsh.
Senator Lenroot, representative of
Wisconsin, developed that there had
been bitter political differences be-
tween Magee and FaH;Iwhich the wit
ness said had grown out of an at
tack by him on the operation of the
land Office in New Mexico. He de-
clared Fall threatened ito put me on
rack and break sme' If the attacks
did not cease. He added that Sem
ator Bursum of New Mexico had
warned him that a note given in part
payment for the Albuquerque Morn
ing Journal would not be renewed.