Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-31
SUCCESS OF TEAPOT DOME
PROSECUTION QUESTIONED

of brains. 1t is on that thin line Of
defense that many have escaped
and very little has been uncovered
to make a conviction of anybody a
certainty.
Besides, the cases will drag in the
courts and it may be year or more
before they can be brought to
climax. Meanwhile the truth of the
matter is, the case will not be tried
to punish individuals. They will suf-
fer as public opinion turns its fierce
gaze upon them. The controversy
will be tried after all in the political
campaign of 1924. 1t will be the prin-
ciple argument, no doubt, of the
Democrats~in their appeal to the peo-
pie to turn the Republican party out
of power on the charge of incapacity
Until the Teapot Dome scandal
broke loose there was very little on
which to make an issue. Some of the
Democrats felt they must oppose the
Mellon plan with the Garner plan
and force an issue on taxation. They
had failed to excite the public suf-
ficiently over the scandal in the vet
Grams bureau and in other lesser
scandals and they seized therefore
on the tax question as something
which would engage the widest pos
sible interest.
Now comes the Teapot Dome scan
dal-an old-fashioned political affair
reminiscent of the Grant admins
tration. The oil lease probably will
be revoked, but the Democrats will
not stop there. They will broaden
the resolution of inquiry so as to in.
clude an investigation of leases of
public lands. This means the entire
west will become interested and it
is in the west the Democrats have
hopes this year Of getting enough
electoral votes in combination with
the south to repeat their victory Of
1916.
President Coolidge stands apart
from the Teapot Dome scandal. He
wasn't in a position of responsibility
when the leases, were made. 1t is
true two members OF his present cab
met are under fire, but Mr.. Coolidge
has ordered special counsel employed
and doesn't intend to shield any
body for political or personal rea-
sons.
The Democrats, however, are not
preparing to attack an individual
their campaign will not necessarily
be directed against Mr.. Coolidge
but they will lombard the Repub-
lican party and ask for an oppor-
tunity to take over the reins of gov
eminent in all it's branches. '
There is no concealing the nerv-
BUSINESS at the White House and
throughout Republican circles in
Washington over the tremendous in
terest which has been developed in
connection with the Teapot Dome
scandal. 1t will intensity interest in
the other Investigations now in prog
| ress. The Teapot Dome investiga-
ton has been going on for many
months. Relatively little attention
has been paid to it. When the most
sensational disclosures were made
due to the unremitting energy of
Senator Thomas J. Walsh, of Mon.
tana, Democrat, the record had be
| come so involvedNith complex ques-
tions that laymen abandoned it as a
technical inquiry.
But the Montana senator, who is
one of the best lawyers in the
United States senate, was quietly
preparing the case for trial by jury.
His penetrating cross. examination
and unwillingness to let so Of a clue
| has brought the Teapot Dome scam
dial to the surface. Senator Walsh,
J Of Montana is really the hero of the
| whole affair. It's a striking example
Of what an inquisitive legal mind
can do. And the Democratic party
! just now is patting Senator Walsh
| on the back for giving them a real
| issue on which to fight the 1924 cam
Oaicn