The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-09
SENATOR CURTIS
 DENIES STORIES TOLD BY BENNETT
Kansan Takes Stand To Refute Mel can Edi-
 tors TestimO.y9

--l ksel
 WASHINGTON. March S.--The oil committee devoted another three hours session today to exploring qualifications of the affairs of Edward B. Mclean as central figure in the oil scandal.
 At the outset Senator Curtis of Kan sas, assistant republican leader in the Senate, appeared voluntarily and denied under oath three separate stories told by Ira D. Bennett, an editorial writer for the Washington Post.
 John F. Major, one of McLean's agents, testified that Mclean and Al bert B. Fall had discussed beforehand what Fall should tell the committee re- garding the famous $1O0, 900 loan.
 B. s. Roehesters attached to the of flee of Attorney General Daugherty, told the committee that his telegram in forming Mclean at Palm Beach of the impending inquiry into his bank account in connection with the loan, was . purely personal message and had no relevancy to his connection with the de- pertinent of justice. .sszar rr-,3..
 Denies Access" Story
 Francis T. Homer of Baltimore, q legal adviser to Mclean, denied state. ment in one of the Mclean tel6grams that he had suggested quick and easy access to the White House" as one reason why the publisher should have . private telegraph wire installed between the office of the Post here and his cot tage at Palm Beach.
 Senator Curtis, tine first member of the Senate to testify in the inquiry, was on the stand twice, each time at his own request. His first appearance was to deny Bennett's testimony of yester- day that he had had a conversation with Bennett just before the celebrated principal" message was sent to Mo Lean.
 The second appearance of the senator was to contradict flatly two new state {, ments made by Bennett, who had fol lowed him in the witness chair, having ] been called to make further explana- ton of his statement about "tL.. prin. cipaP' telegram.
 Didn't Advise Coolidge
 One story Se:at5r Curtis denied was that he had told Bennett that he had suggested to- President Coolidge soon after he had succeeded to the presidency that he should force Attorney General Daugherty to reign.
 The other story was that Senator Curtis had given advice to Mclean through Bennett as to the policy the Post should adopt with respect to the publication of matters in connection with the oil inquiry.
 There was no cross examinations of Senator Curtis. Bennett, however. was griiled mercilessly and had several sharu altercations with the senators. and finally the situation reached the stage where Senator Adams, democrat. Col orado. informed the witness that he thought it "ntterly immateriaI' what Bennett said.
 Called as the first witness, Senator Curtis gave to the committee substan- tialiy the same statement he made pub- lie yesterday after Bennett had left the witness stand. He said Bennett and Major had called on him about Janvary or to ask # he would ascertain whether theg commSttee Woiiid take | statement from Mclean and not re- quire him t0 come to Washislgt5n. ~ @-
 Named Underwood.
 The Kansas senator said he suggested that they see some democratic senator. and that in that connection he men. toned eitlier Senator Underwood or Senator Robinson. Later, he said. he asked Senator Underwood if McLean's representatives had been to see him and received the reply that they had. but that subpoena for Mclean already had been issued. X
 l do not remember of seeing MT. Bennett to talk with him again.0 Sen ator Curtis said, until the day Senator Norris made his speech"
 It was brought out that this was on January 30, the day after the "prin. cipaI' message was sent. Senator Nor rls in his address referred to one of the members of the Mclean family. and Senator Curtis told the committee that he had asked Senator Borah to request Senator Norris to eliminate the refer ence from the record and that he him. self had spoken to Senator Norris on the subject. Later, on the same day. Senator Curtis continued, Bennett came to see him about the matter and wps told that Senator Norris would with draw his remarks.
 After Senator Norris had withdrawn his statement from the record. the Kan. sas senator continued, Bennett saw him again and thanked him.
 That IS my recollection of every. thing that occurred," Senator Cnrt;s said in concluding his statement aan1 of my various conversations with Mr. Bennett" ,S1. z s1>>~'