New Britain herald., 1924-03-24

t0,uDV SndFeS or CluCldlT OH SLOCh, o'Neill said he had absolutely TIC knowledge of such a circumstance.
 Reporter Confirms Report.
 Harold A. Vivian, a reporter for the New York Times, who wrote the story referred to. saying that it was under stood Hays would testify that oil stock was involved in the Sinclair con- tributlon, then was called to the wit ness stand. He testified that O'Neill had told him Hays would testify that Sinclair had given 75.000 shares of stock to wipe out the party deficit.
 Vivian told Of being instructed to see Hays: to learn about the latter's appearance before the committee. On the search for Hays. he said, he found O'Neil, whom he described as "as- sistant to Mir. Hays, in charge of pub licity."
 Hays is going to tell the commit tee he got the stock" Vivian quoted O'Neill as saying. "I suppose he got it from Harry Sinclair. The two have been friends for years"
 O'Neill conveyed the impression that he was thoroughly in Hays con fidence. the witness said, and talked about his principal receiving "an in come of s40,000 a year from his In- diana law firm
 Confirmed Story Later.
 Vivian continued that later he had a telephone conversation with O'NeilI. before the story was. published, con- firming the stock transactions, but ar ranging for its publication without quoting Hays.
 Senator Stanfield asked what 75,o00 shares of Sinclair stock was worth at the time of the alleged gift, and Vivian put the figure at 'snmewhere about sl.60o, o,00O." In his discussion with O'Neill. however. he said the fig ure of s5o0.00O had come up."
 MT. O'Neill didn't submit any proof, did he, to verify this story?" asked Senator Bursum, republican, New Mexico.
 q wouldn't ask him for that" Vivian replied.
 Says Telegram is Lie.
 "O'Neill's telegram" the witness said, was almost in its entirety false"
 Martin J. Powers. a Philadelphia attorney, then was questioned about a story by c. F.. oelschlager that Powers was to share in the lease of Teapot Dome.
 "I never owned blade of grass in Teapot Dome." Powers said in deny- ing oelschlager's statement made in Philadelphia.
 Brands Charge as Lie
 Powers told cf being interested in a Philadelphia brewery, now a near beer factory. He told Of being &C., quainted with James Darden. whom he met in 1922.
 I've been accused of sending brandy to Mrs. Harding" the witness put in. and want to say that's an ienominious lie"
 He said he did not know Attorney General Daugherty.
 You haven't any interest in Tea pot Dome, them" Senator Walsh asked.
 sot one fartning,
 Senator Walsh then asked if Pow CTS had not told certain people that he was engaged in raising s4o,ooo for Teapot Dome lease.
 That's u mean and contemptible lie," said Powers.
 The men to whom he wss alleged to have made the statement were given by Senator Walsh as Michael Circelli and Charles oelschlsger. Powers said Circelli was a man ,"who is trying 10 make a living with. out working" while oelschiager was an architect who hasn't made much progress.
 Cireelli. caled to the witness stand. identified himself as a real estate broker and told Of meeting Powers in the office of Oe'schla ger sometime in 1922. The three met there four or five times.
 Did Powers speak of an interest in Teapot Dome which he wa. taking with Colonel Dsrden?" asked Senator Walsh.
 "Yes." was the reply.
 Tells Of Contributions
 Powers told him, he said. that Dsr- den had contributed s2e5,0oo 10 the republican campaign fund.
 "He said that he and Colonel Dar- don and John McGlynn were eontem- plating big deal on Teapot Dome" Circelli went on. Powers claimed great influence in Washington"
 Circelli said he was pleading" with Powers for a payment to him Of &C., 0oo. but that Powers insisted he was "a little hard ID because he. had to raise s4o.000 for Teapot Dome" The s6,000 had been paid 10 Powers on a whiskey deal. he said, 10 pay taxes" on 150 barrels Of whiskey. The deal flor my part was legitimate" he add cd, tut he never did get his money from Powers.
 olschlager took the stand and said he heard Powers say that he and Dar- den. NcGlynn and two others were to put up s40.0oo each toward lease Of Teapot Dome.
 "T heard Powers say Darden had s2oo,000 10 the republi-