Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-23
SOUTH PARIS ATHLETES AGAIN i
AUGUSTA CARNIVAL V|CT0RS;
HUNDREDS FOLLOW EVENTS
SLEMP, SECRETARY
TO COOLIDGE, CALLED
IN OIL SCAND Al

Washington, Feb. 22-C. Bascom
Slemp. secretary to President Cool
idge. will be called as a witness in
the oil inquiry. probably next Mon
day.
This was made known today by
Senator Walsh. Democrat, of Mon
tana. who has taken the lead in
pressing the investigation. after be
had returned unexpectedly to Wash.
ington from a vacation at Pinehucst,
N. c.
Mr.. Slemp visited Palm Beach lasl
December at III, time former Sec
rotary Fall and Edward + Mclean,
publisher of the Washir gton Post
were there ana he probe bly, will be
asked if he talked with them about
the oil scandal
Other members OF the committee
who concur in the decision to call
the Presidents secretary, said he
might be questioned also as to
whether he had talked with gov
eminent officials, or others mention
ed in the oil cases since the begin
ning of the sensational disclosures.
which followed the testimony of
Archie Roosevelt, on January ~,
Apparently the news that he
! would be called came as no surprise
to Mr.. Slemp. 1t was understood
that he had been advised several
| days that some members Of the COM
mittee were of the opinion that he
should be questioned.
Upon learning of Senator Walsh's
statement, Mr.. Slemp communicated
with friends at the Capitol and was
told that no formal subpoena for his
appearance had been issued.
None may be. as in the usual
course high government officials
simply are invited to appear before
congressional committees.
Decision to call Mr.. Slemp was
! only one development which came
out of hurried conferences which
Senator Walsh held with the com
mittee men and his colleagues. Sell
| ator Wheeler. Democrat. Montana,
Immediately upon reaching his of
flee.
General procedure at the renewal
of the public hearings next Mon
day was discussed by Mr.. Walsh and
Chairman Lenroot and later it was
stated that Milton +. Allies. presi-
dent of Riggs National Bank. of
Washington. probably would be the
first witness Monday
Senator Walsh declined to disclose
the subject matter upon which he
will be questioned, but it is known
that the committee desires to have
information from the records of the
bank which might throw some light
ral 10 70
rent in connection with supposed oil
stock transactions by public officials.
After the. examination of Mr.. Allies
and Mr.. Slemp the committee prob
ably will call in it's expert account
ants before proceeding with other
| witnesses. These accountants have
completed their audit of the books
OF w. Il. Higgs and Company, Il
Washington stock brokerage firm,
| and also of the books of the former
Washington branch of Ungerleuder
| and Company, a Cleveland broker
age firm.
Senator Walsh also said officials
of the Federal American National
Bank and the Commercial National
Bank, both of Washington, would
be summoned in connection with the
testimony given by Mr.. Mclean at
Palm Beach that he had given Fall
| checks aggregating 100000. drawn
| on these banks. and which subse-
quently were returned to him un-
used.
I'VE shall pursue the inquiry with
respect to these checks" Senator
Walsh said. because the general
belief is that this transactio never
did take place"
Mr.. Mclean is now in Washing
ton under subpoena. but the time
ne viii be called before the COM
mittee has not yet been determined.
senator Walsh said he had conferred
last Sunday with Wilton J. Lam
bert. counsel for Mr.. Mclean. It
may be that some further confer
ences will be held before Mr.. Nc
Lean is asked TO appear.