Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-29
EXPERTS SAY OIL
IN TEAPOT GREATLY
UNDER-ESTIMATED

Washington, March 2S.-Presen-
| tation of the senate's contempt
charge against Harry r. Sinclair to
the District of Columbia grand jury
! and another spirited row between
Senator Walsh, the oil committee
prosecutor, and Senator Spencer,
Republican. Missouri. were the ma
jor happenings today in the oil mat
ter.
Another development was the
testimony of F. w. Sardeson, a
geologist of Minneapolis. that on the
face of the reports of the oil COM
mittee's experts the oil supply in
Teapot Dome, leased to Sinclair,
would exceed 1OO,O0O.OUO barrels as
against the 26OO0.0OO barrels those
experts had estimated.
Half a dozen witnesses were call
ed before the grand jury in the Sim
clair case, but the jury adjourned
until Monday without making a re-
port to the count. An announcement
I is expected before the expiration OF
! the life of the present jury on Mon
day.
Atlee Pomerene and Owen ]. Rob-
erts, spaIial COVE rnment counsel in
! the oil cases, wee sworn in as as
sistant federal district attorneys to
help pre- sent the case. Besides Scn-
ate officials =. possession of the facts
as to Sinclai''s refusal to submit to
further questioning by the oil COM
mittee. H. Foster Balm, director of
the bureau of mines was called as a
witness.
The new controversy between Sen
ators Walsh and spencer today grew
out of the sLBn.oning of John
Walsh, br other OF the prosecutor, by
Senator Spencer Senator Walsh
charged th It tn" purpose was to
cast some suspicion on me- and
he reitera-ed mis- declaration after
Senator Spencer had entered a dis
claimer.
John Wlisn had been subpoenaed
to appear next thursday hut he was
present tol &. and asked to be heard
to the w3st winch would consume
three we ks. $. rator Spencer de-
clared he was not ready to proceed,
but Sena.or Walsh and his. brother
insisted aid Wash was placed on
the stand.
Senator spencer put only a few
questions to develop the business
connections of Walsh. who asserted
that he va, NOT connected directly
with any oil company. but was a
director and general counsel for l.
holding company having subsidiaries
operating in the oil fields in Okla
homa, Louisiana. Texas and Arkan-
SaS.
When senator Spencer asked
whether his Company had any in
terest in Wyorn ,.e or in California
which have any connection with the
naval OF, reserve leases. Walsh said
he was glad that question had been.
put as the Republican National
Committee was making an investi-
gaticn of that lie then replied that
his compI J.: had no interest in oils
in Wyoming or anywhere else in the
northwestern states.
After Walsh had been excused
with the understanding that a new
subpoena would be issued for him
in the event Senator Spencer desired
to question him further. the commit
tee got into a lengthy discussion as
to the relevancy of certain testi-
mony, particularly that given yes
terday by AL Jennings.
Assuming sole responsibility for
senator Stanfield, Republican, Ore
gon, that he considered the testi-
,nony relevant and expected to call
three or four more witnesses who
would tell substantially the same
tories.
Later In the day he caused a SUBJ
poena to be issued for w L. Kistler.
of Tulsa. OLA, president OF the
Producers ard Refners Oil Conn.,
pany.
With the senate still Withholding
action on the nomination of Samuel
knight. of San Francisco, to be
special counsel In the suits for the
recovery Of oil lands in the Elk Hills
di7trict of California. the White
House made it known thai the
President does not intend to with
draw the nomination. The Oil COM
mittee has made an adverse report
on the nomination, objection being
raised on the ground that Mr..