New Britain herald., 1924-02-14

bblA' rpl b'it i1So' was made two weeks after 1t was signed.
 Shaffer said his recollection was that he got the information that Tea pot Done was to be leased just as any one else could.
 "I did not get 1t from Mir. Tall," he said.
 Adverting to the agreement with Sinclair, the published said it was q l and that he was to get 200 acres.
 T wanted to develop it myself, but MT. Sinclair wanted to do all the de- veloping in Teapot himself. MT. Sin clair proposed that he set aside 420 acres of land out of the reserve, de- relop that at his own expense and share the profits '5o-So' with me-
 Had No Real Claim
 You didn't own the land, you didn't have q claim on it. and the whole of your right depended on Sec retary Falls verbal statement that you would be taken care off" Senator Lenroot demanded.
 That's right Shaffer said.
 Senator Dill. democrat. Washington. pointed out that Frederick c. Bonfils, of the Denver Post got fifty per cent of the deal he made with Stack. while you only got r 1-2 per cent of the Pioneer proposition"
 T just wondered whether the diff ference in the proportion of these two properties you got depended on the difference between the circulation of your two papers," Senator Dill com mented.
 Well, there was a little more rber- al view" Shaffer replied.
 But don't want to discuss Mir. Dontils. We don't publish a paper like he does"
 Senator Dill said he noticed shaffer, besides getting one-eighth interest in the Pioneer, got 200 acres from Sim clair.
 "oh you are still working on that" said Senator Dill.
 Whats the reason these men come to you and make you these gifts?" Senator Dill asked.
 Tt was because I had this land Shaffer returned.
 You used that land alongside to get this interest from the Pioneer people?" Senator Dill continued, "and used it too to get half the oil from this 4eo acres of Sinclair, too?"
 That's right"
 Sinclair Sent Contract
 Shaffer said Sinclair had sent him a written contract, but that he had not signed it. His plan with Sinclair is hold in abeyance now. the witness said. because the whole Teapot Dome lease might be cancelled as a result of the oil inquiry,
 How did you say here you had no in the Sinclair lease?" Senator Din queried.
 Its a difference between having some land and having an interest in the lease itself" Shaffer responded. He added that he didn't have q share of stock or interest fin the Sinclair companies.
 Pressed by Senator Walsh, Shaffcr said he had no recollection that he had called on Fall after his visit = March, 1921.
 When did Secretary Fall tell you he had arranged with Sinclair to give you an interest in tho lease?" Senator Walsh asked.
 T cant remember as 10 these dates. ! went 10 Secretary Fall soon after ho took office and told him wanted to make application for part of th~ land when it was opened 10 the pub 'ie, if it ever was. He made no pledge 10 mo, but later he told me he had arranged with Sinclair 10 take care Of me op this 900 acres"
 secretary Fall must have told you his some time prior 10 April, is2i," senator Walsh pursued.
 That's right"
 Tt must have been as carly as March, 192i." Senator walsh said.
 Then 1t follows that as carly as 1921, Fall had an arrangement ,y which Sinclair vas 10 get this easc?"
 "1'll grant that" shaffer responded. T want 10 give the facts"
 wen draw the infercnces," re- marked Senator Walsh.
 The Pioneer oil company was en. yaged in trying 10. get Legislation to pen up these lands" Senator Walsh aid. Wasn't the consideration you gave for this lease the support of your newspapers for this leasing legisla- ion 2"
 The support of my newspapers was lever mentioned CT promised" Shaf- | CT replied. T don't even know what l position they took on the proposi. ion."
 Adverting 10 the letter Of Finney l senator Walsh demanded to know 1 rhy he wrotn Finney instead of Fall. l
 ''T had known him many years"
 How did you know Finney knew bout your personal interest in this ieai?'"
 T assumed the secretary had told iimY
 "But you didn't say I assume you snow'; you said fiatly 'as you know 1 Shy?"
 T don't know how [ thought he . snew if. It may have been in my hind then that had talked 10 him ! bout it. take 1t I must have { a1ked with Finney about it after I alked with Secretary Fall."
 Senator Walsh pushed the in- 1 luiry vigorously. "Oh. suppose talked with Mr. { -inney every time I came from Falls ,nice." .
 The witness described at length his . Ictions in getting title to his Mary 1 and company land outside the teapot ! tserFe.
 That land vas withdrawn in 1909. ] tself. wasn't it?' Senator Lenroot .sked.
 T don't know" SchaTer returned. II zas drilled under the old mining