The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-02
GRAND JURY
is ORDERED
IN OIL QUIZ
Special Session Is Called
To Meet On
April 16
SINCLAIR PLACED
UNDER $1,000 BOND
Oil Magnate Pleads Not
Guilty To Contempt
Indictments
INQUIRY is SHIFTED
TO 1920 CONVENTION
Investigators Running Down
Stories Of Alleged Conspi-
racy, Walsh Disclose
INQUIRY is SHIFTED
TO 1920 CONVENTION

WASHINGTON, April las the
oil committee got back today to the trail
of an alleged conspiracy at the 1920
national convention for the exploitatio
of the, public domain, Harry f. Sim
clair lessee of Teapot Dome, appeared
IN the District of Columbia supreme
court aud plead not guilty to an indict-
ment charging contempt of the United
States Senate. He furnished $1,000
bond
At the same time Chief Justice Nc
Coy in the district supreme court or
dered the impanneling of special
grand jury April 16. The oil lease
cases are being prepared for presenta-
cases by the special counsel.
Sinclair, indicted on 10 counts for
his refusal to answer that number of
questions put to him by the oil COM
mittee, was allowed 10 days by Justice
Hoehling to withdraw his plea and enter
demurrer to the indictment if he
should so desire
The oil magnate arrived from New
York today after being advised of the
indictments yesterday. He was accom-
panied to court by his counsel, Martin
w. Littleton of New York, who raised
before the oil committee the authority
Of Congress to compel the attendance
Of witnesses upon its committees; G.
L. Stanford of New York and J. W.
Zeveley of Washington. District At
torney Gordon represented the govern
pent.
Independent Investigation
After informing the oil committee
today that he expected to show the
existence of a conspiracy at the Chicago
convention, Senator Walsh, democrat,
Montana, the oil prosecutor, disclosed
that independent Investigators now are
running down stories regarding such
conspiracy which he said had come
to him from many sources. Coop
ration of the volunteer Investigators
aNs sought 50. as TO sobxiasee tlgU iaes
tessfty of summing Unfortunately.
Senator Walsh said
Virtually all the testimony taken
today by the oil committee at the re-
sumption Of public hearings had to do
with the political activities of the late
Jake Hamon, republican national CON-
mitteeman for Oklahoma. r. III. Will
son, former superintendent Of public
instruction in Oklahoma, said Hamon
had told him of putting over Harding g
nomination at Chicago and Of con-
tributing $4,000 to Harry NJ. Daugh-
-erty. Harding's pre-conventional mana
ger for campaign expenses"
Jennings Ridiculed
On the other hand, J. Il. Dyche,
Oklahoma City, who managed Hamon's
campaign for national committeeman,
ridiculed al Jennings testimony that
( Hamon had told him of spending ST.
10000 to nominate Harding.
Dyche denied flatly that Hamon had
spent dimev on the Oklahoma dele
Eatien to influence its vote, or for any
pther purpose. He also asserted that
Hamon had asked the delegation to
stand by Lowden on two more ballots
after the delegates were ready to
throw their support to Harding.
Over the objection of three republi-
cans on the committee, Senator Walsh
ELECTED from Dyche testimony, that
Hamon had spent 100000 to obtain
the election as national committeeman.
He declared none of this sum was spent
dishonesty and asserted that Hamon
expected nothing from the place except
the honor that went with it. Also
he asserted that Hamon had not de-
sired a place in the cabinet, as Jennings
had stated Hamon had told him.