The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-02-14
|Slush Fund
Said dforMen
'HighinRank
Inquiry Planned Over Sum
Reported Sent From Wall
Street Intended for
Losers in Oil.
Banker to Be Quizzed
Bx Unirersal service.

Washington, Feb. 13.-Information
OF a 81 .000,0 slush fund sent to the
national capital by oil interests for )
the purpose Of influencing persons
high in councils of both ma jor politi
cal parties was in the hands of the
senate committee investigating the
oil scandals today.
This fund. according 10 reports re-
ceived by the committee from sources
considered reliable. was for districbu-
ton among high officials and others
who had lost huge sums In unfor-
tunate stock market speculations in
shares of an Independent OIL company.
The impending revelations are ex-
pected to be of such an astounding
nature that an influential member OF
the investigating committee today ex-
pressed the wish that he could wash
his hands Of the whole inquiry.
Members Of the committee are ap-
palled at the prospect, which threat
ems to involve the highest officials OF
two political administrations.
The committee knows a sum Of
money was transferred from New
York city to a certain Washington
bank so that 1t would be Immediately
available.
Get Names Of Losers.
From the books of Wall street
brokerage houses. experts OF the CON-
mittee are learning the names OF
those who suffered loss through specu-
lations In the stocks OF the inde-
oil L.
high government official held a large
interest.
Bank accounts win be closely ex-
amined to learn the details OF the dis
trIbution of the New York slush fund.
Startling new developments In the
course OF the senate inquiry dsyeI-
oped following the publication "a
statements by Frank A. Wandering.
New York banker. who practically d.
fled the committee TO 60 the whols
way in its investigation.
Mr.. yanderlip's declarations thai
the senate didn't dare press its IN.
quiries of former Secretary OF the In.
terror Fall because what he would
have said would have gone into high
places" created an immediate demand
that the New York banker Be sum,
moned to tell his story and reveal thu
source OF his information.
Who Raised Money!
The committee issued q subpoans
directing Mr.. yanderlip TO appear Be.
fore IT at its next session. 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning. Particularly,
committee members want to learn
what the banker knows Of the sources
Of the ss5o.ooo paid TO the late Prssi-
dent Harding for his interest N the
Marion to) Star.
Especial significance - attaches
to Mr.. vanderlip's statements because
he was president Of Americas great
est bank. the National City Of New
York. known throughout the ccun-
try as standard oil bank"
There Is interest. too. In Mr.. Van
|derlip's assertions refiecting upon ssn.
ators Of the investigating committee
itself. members. OF which he charac-
teried as undesirable investigators.
Mr.. Vanderlip viii b Questioned
also as TO the hasis cf his REMARKS
on Attorney General Daughersy. the
target Of bitter attacks IN the senate.
Senator Wheeler Of Montana today
introduced a resolution calling for
an investigation OF the alleged failure
|of Mr.. Dausherfy to prosecute anti
trust cases, the veterans bureau
frauds. and charges growing out ct
the oil ecandal.
Administration leaderv In the senate
confess that the same group which
supported the resolution demanding
the oustinE OF Secretary of the Navy
DENLY can control action on the
Wheeler resolution aimed at the at
torney general.
international aspects cf the Oh scan.
dai received the attention Of the ssn-
ate today in the adoption Of the psli
resolution calling on Secretary Of
State Hughes for information A. 10
the $4,000. 900 Colombian treaty and
course Of American diplomacy with
reference 10 oil ventures In Mescpo-
tamis, Szechc Slovakia. Mexico
and elsewhere.
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