Evening star., 1924-02-08

treasury. ABOUT u year Attef iuy
resignation he called on me In my
office in New York city and ex-
pressed a desire to retain me in his
companies Mexican difficulties. grow
ing out OF article 27 In the Mexican
constitution. adopted some years be-
eminent was attempting to confiscate
property of American citizens by
giving retroactive effect to said ar
t1cie. | knew that our government.
early In 1913. while I was a member
OF the cabinet. had solemnly pro-
retroactive effect of this article, Of
the Mexican constitution and that to
represent client whose property in
Mexico was teopardized thereby was
IN harmony. I was willing to accept
the employment and my firm was
paid fee Of 100000.
At that time Mr.. Doheny stated
that the properties OF the Doheny
companies then threatened with con-
nscation were worth several hundred
was vital to his companies and he
would be willing to pay ten times
the fee II We got for his companies
satisfactory settlement In the Mex
lean question. No additional fee was
ever paid.
Often Met Deheny Omcials.
Thereafter for a period OF over two
years I. and members of my firm
conferred frequently with Mr. Doheny
and his officers and Joined with other
counsel representing American oil
interests in Mexico in fling briefs
ana menoranda and representations
70 the state Department in An at
tempt to, get such diplomatic action
as the rights Of the oil companies
were entitled to under the various
notes Of the State Department. Ny
n n n yu,tN
panies was. I think. known to all
those officially connected with Mex
lean oil interests. In that period also
my hrm worked on matters. concern
Ing Communicated tanker which
the government had agreed to return
to the Doheny companies.
During the year 1921 I made a trip
to Mexico and interviewed Mexican
authorities. amonE. others President
Ooregon: IN an effort to have the
Mexican constitution 20 which have
referred modified or changed On
ny return ] advised Mr.. Doheny that
TIE oil companies having interests In
! te nave representatives confer with
the Mexican officials with a view to
erecting an adjustment.
In January. 1922, my firm dissolved
and l informed Mr.. Doheny that it
! was my intention to take up my resi-
dence and practice law in California
uhereupon he said to me that he
would like to retain me as special
counsel in connection with his COM
panies at an annual compensation Of
$4,000 and proposed the duration Of
such employment to be for a term
OF four years. To this I suggested a
modification, so that at the end Of
three years, rat the will Of either
party, my services could be terminal
ed. During my professional employ
n.ent since moving to California Mr..
Doheny has conferred with me from
time to time upon questions concern
ed exclusively with his Mexican In
terests.
Hits c. r. Taft's Paper.
When I read in the newspapers
Mr.. Doheny's amazing disclosures
about his transactions with ex-Secre.
a.ely terminating my professional
services with him, as was my first
impulse, although ! have now done
SO. fearing that the newspaper ac-
to him as Charles P. Tafts partisan
! organ "The Times Star" Of Cincinnati
has been to me when in Its issue of
February. l. it set out in. fiat head
lines on, its front page the following
meieious bel e and Shnes iie Mdxdoo naDo's.y rey
I cetved 325o.oao from the Doheny In
terests-was paid $4,000 a year 'on
Treasury"
I indignantly protest against the
whispered suggestion that land the
others, lawyers and laymen. who help
ed in the Mexican enterprises Of
which Mr.. Doheny is the head-share
!; any taint OF any kind. l deny that
insinuation as monstrously unfair
F2r those who, like myself. can stand
up and make good this denial 1t Is
not so important, but particularly do
resent the insinuation that because
tie late Franklin K. Lane, after his
service as Secretary of the Interior.
resigned and became. quite openly, an
officer OF the Doheny companies, he
thereby shares the taint Of corrup.
tion. 1t would be ridiculous if not so
vicious.
what I have done was within my
rights as q lawyer. In my represents
tion OF the Doheny companies In
Mexican matters never dealt in po-
lisical influence. nor did I ask or
promise. or give or receive political
fsvors or other favors. II my con-
duct in acting professionally in these
matters is open to criticism, then no
lawyer can take a cabinet Office un-
less he be rich enough to give up all
professional employment in business
when he. comes out. OF office. I do
not believe that any such standard Is
wise or proper. I believe that the
spirit of fair play of the honest-mind
cd American people will not misun-
nor take their minds of of those who
are guilty of betraying their trust as
disclosed in this investigation.
Yours very truly,
(SiRned) WILLIAM G, McADOO.