Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-01
QUICK COURT ACTION
IN OIL FRAUDS Is
PROMISED SENATE

the Mclean representatives had
sought to interest in the matter.
The committee made no effort for
| the time being to identify these per-
sons. After some discussion, how
ever, it announced it would ask A.
! Mitchell Palmer, who was attorney
! general in the Wilson administra-
! ton, and who has acted for Mclean
in connection with the oil inquiry, to
come before it.
Il desire to say that Senator Under
wood called a few moments ago on
! the telephone and said he had read
something in, the newspapers this
morning that indicated he had en-
! deavOred to dissuade me from my
! purpose to subject Mr.. Mclean to
! examination, conclusion drawn
from some of the kilograms read yes
| terday.
! Senator Underwood never at
tempted to influence my conduct in
| the matter in any way. | have no
recollection of Senator Underwood
speaking to me on the subject except
that one morning in the senate cham
| Der he asked me if I had any objeC-
-, ton to having inserted in the Con-
gressiOnal Record a letter to me by
Mr.. Palmer. and I said I had not.
Senator Underwood, in his CON
versation with me this morning, said
further that at the request of Ben
nett he had said something to me
about whether we were going to ask
the appearance of Mr.. Mclean, and
that l told him that it had already
hoo = 7 n
Palm Beach and take the testimony
of Mr.. Mclean. Senator Underwood
having said that that conversation
had taken place, I suppose it did,
but I have no recollection of it at
ALL"
The reading of the kilograms then
was resumed. The first. from John
Major. one of McLean's confidential
agents in Washington, to Mr. Nc
Lean at Palm Beach, said the writer
had arranged with Smithers at the
White House to have our end of the
private wire opened at o'clock"
This message was dated January 3,
and on the same date Major again
teleSraphed Mclean, saying:
Just finished talking with Pal
this morning that you were i'll. He
said that he pointed out that part
of your letter that you had gone to
Palm Beach for your own health and
that of your wife. [ did not see him
this morning as I was busy with
Bennett, Underwood Curtis and Zev,
but l. talked with him over the tele-
phone last night and he thoroughly
understood what was expected OF
him. After leaving the senate Office
building this morning [ talked with
Palmer over phone and he said he
had received a message from Walsh
which he would transmit to you"
Palmer Summons Issued
Senator Walsh interrupted the
reading to say that Palmer had tel
the committee desired his appear
ance. The Montana senator added
that las far as I am concerned I
have no disposition to call him."
but Senator Dill, Democrat, Wash
ingtOn, suggested that Mr.. Palmer
had "acted as the gobetween here
in these messages" and Chairman
Lenr0ot supported a proposal to cali
Oct-L
The next message read was signed
Bennett" addressed to Mclean.
and dated January 3. Ora Bennett
is an editorial writer on the Wash
inGton Post) The telegram said:
Major and I saw Curtis this
morning and he promised to see Len
root and have your statement placed
in record. He advised us to see I'm
derwood, and ask him to see Walsh
in your behalf. We saw Underwood,
who promised to speak to Walsh
but he limited that it would not do
any good"
The sender said that walsh was
evidently determined to insist upon
calling YOU" and told Mr.. Mclean
that if a doctors certificate for bad
health was obtained for Mclean,
''Walsh would merely postpone de-
| mands."
Major and 7 have both studied
situation carefully" the message
went on, land agree that willing
ness on your part to appear will
cause Walsh to drop matter with
out doing anything more than ask
you one or two questions. But If
Walsh finds it necessary to compel
you to come, there will be disagree
able publicity, and Walsh may be
encoura ged to be disa greeable. We
therefore recommend that you come
if possible.
"Walsh suggested to committee
that he would like to have Secre
tary Fall come before. Chairman
Lenroot said he had been anxious
to have Fall appear to ask him
source of money to buy ranch. If
you appear to be reluctant to come,
Walsh would be disagreeable after
you were finally on stand"
Major wired again in an undated
message to Mclean a description or
committee proceedings, saying that
Gin my opinion, today's event means
finish"
Warned of Walsh Visit
Questions are to be brought to
you there tat Palm Beach," the mas
sage continued. cit will probably
take Walsh a day or two to prepare
them. Will keep in close touch with
situation and send you in detail
what he wants to know over private
wire"
This is just flash" Major
wired to Mclean on January ), with
a Western Union note to rush as
fast as possible. THE questions are
| to be brought to Palm Beach. Lam
| bert is to assist Walsh in his task
| of preparing questions"
| The next telegram, signed by a
new name. that of Johns" to Nc
| Lean, on January IS, said:
willis saw party this morning.
Willis said that the party was in, a
friendly mood and intimated that
nothing further would be requested
from your end. Harry out of city.
l, have appointment 5 o'clock with
MUTT AND .IEEE-