Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-01

and those under suspicion were I'M
peding the inquiry.
Last November, Senator Lenroot
said, Immediately after witnesses
from New Mexico had testified that
Fall purchased a ranch for $91 200,
he suggested that Fall be summoned.
A telegram was sent and the reply
said Falls son-in-law would explain
the purchase. Senator Lenroot said
he insisted that Fall be called, and
another summons was sent.
Insisted on Answer
"The next thing ] heard" the
chairman continued, twas that Mr..
Fall was ill in New York. Then he
wired that he would stop at Allan
tic City to regain his strength. The
committee decided to have him APP
pear ON the following Wednesday,
and he was SO advised"
Prior to the time set, the WiScon-
sin senator said, Senator Smoot told
him Fall was ill at Il hotel here, and
suggested they go together to see
him.
1--WE went to the hotel,' he con-
tinued, land found Mr.. Fall with a
nurse in attendance. He undoubted-
ly was then ILL., After making the
usual inquiries regarding his healtll.8
we told him the committee would
have to have his testimony regard
ing the funds for the ranch, Mr..
Fall said he obtained the money in
the ordinary course of business, from
an old friend, but that he would not
give his name.
Senator Smoot and myself insisted
that he owed it to himself, to the
committee and to the country to give
all the facts. Mr.. Fall then said the
friend was out of town, and he would
have to get his permission. He Of
fered to tell us IN confidence, but /
declined, saying l wanted him to tell
the committee. About that time,
thought he mentioned the name of
Edward Is. Mclean as the man he
had referred to.
subsequently, as appears in the
record, Secretary Fall sent q letter to
the committee giving his explanation
OF the loan, and naming Mclean.
Threatens to Resign
THE interview occupied scarcely
half an hour. The only purpose Of
it so far as | am concerned was to
Ni''NCfCI IIlC SOui NC VI LIicI lIiOlIcy.
81 would be very glad to be re-
lieved of the cha rmanship of this
committee, and if the inquiry goes
on l will have to ask TO be relieved,
but L want to say now that | have
performed my duties both as a men,
Der and as chairman conscientiously,
and with the sole purpose of getting
at the facts"
Senator Lenroot said that court
action in the oil cases might be ex-
pected very soon. He said he had
conferred with one CT the special gov.
eminent counsel last night, and add
cd that the special counsel had been
working constantly, night and day
in preparing the pleadings"
Senator Mcclellan asked when Grim
Inal actions would be instituted, and
the chairman replied he did not
know
"Fall, Doheny and Sinclair ought
to have been indicted weeks ago.
said Senator Mcclellan
Senator SmOot also made a state
ment regarding the visit to Falls
hotel.
Only Sought Facts
II never had anything in my heart
or any other thought from the day
the investigation was undertaken
than to arrive at the absolute facts
in the case" he said. 1.-THE visit to
Albert Fall during his sickness in
Washington had but one purpose. 1
think that / stated that purpose as
briefly as possible IN the newspapers
of. this morning, and trey carried it
just as | stated it. | don't want the
statement in the Hearst newspaper
to go as representing what I said. I
leave it to senator's to say if that
sounded like myself"
In the investigation, Senator Smoot
continued, there was one questions
unanSWered-Where Fall secured the
$91, 800 with which he bought the
Harris ranch.
mot a scintilla of evidence had
been offered to the committee show
ing where he received that money"
said Senator Snoot. albert Fall
was sick man at Wardman-Park
Inn. We went to the room of Mr.. =
Fall and the senator from Wiscon-
sin (Mr. LenrooD has stated the case
accurately to the senate this after
noon. The only difference between
him and myself is that he says Mr..
Fall, just before we were leaving,
stated that it was Mr. Mclean who
advanced him that money | don't
say that he didn't say it. All / can
say is that | didn't hear him say it."