Evening star., 1924-03-28
JOHN WALSH DENIES
OIL CONNECTIONS.
Calling of Brother of Mon
tana Senator Causes
Hearing Row.

John Walsh, a Washington lawyer
and a brother Of the prosecutor of
the Senate oil committee, was called
before the committee today and ques-
toned at length by Senator Spencer,
republican, Missouri, regarding his
activities and connections.
The witness said he never had been
connected directly with any oil COM
pany, but was general counsel for a
holding company. He denied that
this company had any interest in
oils in Wyoming or any other north
western state
The examination developed another
row between Senator Walsh and SEN
ator Spencer. during which the
former charged that his brother had
been called in an effort TO cast some
suspicion on me-
Both the senator and the witness
urged Senator Spencer to press his
questioning further, but he replied
that if he had any more questions to
ask he would put themE later.
GeoIogfst Heard.
The committee also heard +. w
Sardeson, Minneapolis geologist, de-
scribe the oil properties of Teapot
Dome, but adjourned until Tuesday
without calling to the stand William
Boyce Thompson, formerly connected
with the republican national commit
tee. He is to be questioned about
campaign contributions and the COM
mittee also will recall Will II. Hays,
who was the republican national
chairman in 1920.
Senator's Brother Heard.
Walsh was subpoened yesterday at
the instance of Senator Spencer, re-
publican, who insisted that he
be heard today. Senator Spencer
said he was not ready, but after Sen
ator Walsh said his brothers business
had been under investigation and
that the fact that he had been sub
poenaed had left him under suspicion,
Walsh took the stand.
Under questioning Walsh testified
that he never had been associated
with the Mutual Oil Company. nor
directly with any other oil company.
but that he is a director and general
counsel for the American Republic
Corporation. a holding company.
Does your company have any in
terest in Wyoming or i'm California
which have any connection with the
naval oil reserve leases?" asked SEN
ator Spencer.
81 am glad you asked that ques-
tion, because the republican national
committee is making an investigation
of that" replied the witness my
company has had no interest in oils
in Wyoming. Montana or anywhere
else in the northwestern states"
Names Companies.
Senator Spencer insisted on having
the names of the companies for which
the American Republic is the holding
company. Walsh said the American
Petroleum Company, the Federal Pc
troleum Company, the Apoose Oil
Company, Republic Producing Com
pany and the Fidelity Securities Com
pany were engaged in the oil busi-
ness in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas
and Oklahoma.
Walsh said he had never appeared
before the Interior Department in oil
matters and never engaged in the oil
business in either Montana or Wash
Il think. in view of the statements
which have gone out, 1 have been
placed under suspicion" insisted the
witness when Senator Spencer had
finished his examination IF you
have anything in mind let me have
it now"
I am not ready to examine you
further this morning." said Spencer
and L will not examine you until
] am ready and should il turn out
that I do not desire to examine you
further, l will not summon you"
Asks Testimony Stricken Out.
AS Walsh was excused Senator
Walsh moved to strike out all of
his testimony as irrelevant, to test
the sentiment of the committee, but
he later withdrew his motion.
Senator Dill, democrat, Washing
ton insisted that the testimony re-
lated in no way to the naval oil leases
"All this is, is an attempt to in
crease the suspicion, which the Sem
ator from Missouri wishes to excite
about this witness" interrupted Sem
ator Walsh.
Senators In Argument.
~The senator from Montana is en-
tirely mistaken returned Senator
Spencer. He said that IL it should
develop that Walsh's testimony was
irrelevant he would be the first to
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