New Britain herald., 1924-03-22
Former C. 0. P. Chair man Says Most Oil Man Contributed to Cam paign Was About $75,
 900 - Doheny Gave Nothing
Sinclair Himself Had Pre- viously Refused to Testify Or Answer Any Questions
 Asked by Committee.

Washington, March s2.---After fail [ ing finally to induce Harry F. Sinclair ] 10 testify before it, the oil committee , today received from Will H. Hays a Hat denial of the story that Sinclair P had contributed a large batch of oil stocks to wipe out the deficit in the republican party treasury after the |, 1920 campaign. Sinclair refused 10 testify after fhe committee had voted unanimously to overrule the objections of his attor- neys. Despite the committees posi- ton, he said, he must reserve what evidence he has for the courts. The committees only recourse now is to certify him to the senate for con- tempt, but members indicated that no such step probably would be taken.
 Hays followed the oil operator and Teapot Dome lessee immediately upon the witness stand. Do you know the witness who tuM left the stand" asked Senator Walsh. the committee prosecutor.
 "Yes, sir, for eight or 10 years" re- piled Hays.
 Tt has been testified 10 before an- other committee" went on Senator Walsh. that Mir. Sinclair gave certain stock to wipe out a deficit of the re- publican national committee. Tell us about it."
 Denies Report
 "1 can't tell you about it." return. cd Hays. ''1t is not true"
 You saw a statement in the New York Times that you would testify to such a donation"
 "Yes, but that story is untrue. n is false.'
 Hays said he had no idea as to the source of the Times statement.
 Would it surprise you to know that that information came from your officer" asked Senator Walsh.
 Tt could not have come from there" was the reply. "as it is not a fact"
 Hays Identified Joe O'Neil, a for mer newspaperman, as an employe of i his office. Asked if O'Neil had not given the statement to the Times. Hays said he could not have done so as there was no basis for the story. Please tell us what Mir. Sinclair had to do with making up the deficit.'' said Senator Walsh. "I assume it is not the purpose of the committee 10 go into campaign contributions" Hays returned. "I as- sume the committee considers that irrelevant. as I do. Besides I am not the source of information now" Long Wranglc Ensue. The witness then began long statement about the general subject of campaign contributions. Senators stanfleld. republican, Oregon. object cd. saying that this question is im- material and irrelevant" but Senator Walsh insisted the question he had put was relevant. and there was a long wrangle. Senator Stanfeld's motion nnsHv was voted down, six to four Senator Stanfield then called Haysf attention to the law of contempt to indicate to him that he did not have to answer irrelevant questions Havs said he did not desire to decline Co answer any questions. that he would state again that the story about Sin clair giving 75,OO0 shares of stock w< false.
 '1 could only give my best judg- ment." Hays said as to Sinclair's con- tribution. My Judgment is that 1t did not exceed s75,OOO."
 Hays said that some time after hs retired from the cabinet. in 1929. he suggested 10 Sinclair that he hetp make up the party deficit
 ''It must have been two years after the 1920 election" he said. vest must have been a year and a half after I left the cabinet
 'l may say in passing that I never heard or any lease on any naval re- serve to anybody. directly or indirect. ly. until l read about them Tn the newspapers q month or two after left the cabinet.
 ''l am trying to fix the time yon solicited Mr. siuclair.' seHstor Walsh said.
 '1 think fl was in inc summer of lazs." said Hays.
 H1 couid not recall where the con- ,cfsation took place.
 Was the contribution paid 10 you@"
 NO. not paid to fue. helped 70 handle tHt funds. I asked Mir. sin- clair and others Co contribute. AsI rcc0llect, Sinclair told me he would be responsible Tor maximum Of st0e.0o0. I think that s7s.O0o went to a part payment on . note at ths Empire Trust"
 SusetSt Nr. UpIlam
 ''The details Of this. I'll have to ask you to get from the committee"
 well. from whom 2"
 "Mr. t-pham. tFred Upham. the party treasurerl. l should think. To- gether VIC can furnish it."
 "It it not true that you had e fund in the north separate from these other funds2"