davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-02-02

Secretary Of the Navy. as lessor.
were executed under circumstances
indicating fraud and corruption
that said leases were entered into
officers purporting to act in the exc
cution of the same for the United
States. and in violation of the laws
of Congress, and that in the same
President of the United States be
authorized and directed Immediately
to cause suit to be instituted and
prosecuted for the annulment and
cancellation of the leases. and to
prosecute such other actions and
may be warranted by the facts in re-
lation to the making of said leases,
and the President is further author
ized and directed to appoint special
counsel to have charge and control
Of the prosecution of such litigation,
and I decline to answer on the
ground that my answer may tend
to incriminate me.
Respect for Committee.
In declining to answer and in stat
ing these reasons I wish to express
full respect for the committe and for
the Senate, but to remind the COM
mittee that, on October 20 and -
last, while this committee was sitting
In recess Of Congress and dealing with
Senate resolution 2s2 and Senate reso-
luton 294, I appeared before the COM
mittee and discussed at length the
negotiations Of the lease. including
the lease of April 25. 1922, signed by
Edwin c. Finney, acting secretary Of
the interior, and Edwin DENLY, Sec
retary OF the Navy, relating to con-
struction of OIL tanks at Pearl Har-
Dor, Hawaii, and thereafter was pre-
pared to appear again before the COM
mittee, but since the Senate of the
United States has passed the Senate
resolution 81. that action being con-
sentatives. and the Congress Of the
United States has adjudicated that
resolution. Its finding that the leases
were executed under circumstances
indicating fraud and corruption, and
has directed the President Of the
ceedings. civil and criminal, as may
be warranted by the facts in the
making of the said leases, I decline
Iurther to answer any question Of
THIS committee on the ground that it
may tend to incriminate me. and on
the further ground first above stated"
Covered by Laws.
ihe laws cover cases where wit.
nesses refuse to testify before con-
gressional committees.
Section 102 of the revised statutes
provides that whenever a witness
as mentioned in section 102
fails to testify and the facts are
reported to either house, the
president Of the senate or the
Speaker Of the House, as the case
may be. shall certify the fact under
seal of the Senate or the House, to
the district attorney for the District
Of Columbia, whose duty 1t shall be
to bring the matter before the grand
jury for their action"
Section $50 provides that no testi-
mony given by a witness before
either House or before any commit
tee of either house Of Congress shall
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column s.
Evening star., 1924-02-02
Former Secretary of Interior
Reads Prepared Statement
in Support of Stand.
SAYS INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
is ACTING WITHOUT AUTHORITY
Declares, in View of Walsh Resolution.
His Reply Might Tend to Incrim-
mate Him-Reviews Lease History.

Summoned before the Senate committee investigating oil
leases Albert B. FALL former Secretary of the Interior refused
to questions today and the committee adjourned
until Tuesday, when Mr. Fall will be again brought before
The former Secretary based his refusal speak the
tnton that the authority given the investigating committee by
the last Congress had expired and that the light of congress
sona action directing institution of action the oil lease
any he made would tend incmnate him.
Should Mr. Fall decline questions Tuesday
said the issue of the authority of the committee compel
under pain of contempt proceedings the would be
Evening star., 1924-02-02
new MANILA MAYOR
NOMINATED BY WOOD
Two Names Sent to Senate In First
Effort to Fill Places Vacated
Last July.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
MANILA. February Gov. Gen.
Wood today sent to the insular
senate the nomination of Miguel
Romualdez, an attorney. to be mayor
Of Manila He also forwarded to the
senate the nomination of Felipe
Agoncillo. a veteran Of the Philippine
revolution. to be secretary of the in.
terror.
The nominations are the first at
tempt Of the Governor General to
f1ll positions made vacant when the
cabinet members resigned in a body
last July. 1t Is the understanding Of
political leaders that the nomination
OF Romualdez will be confirmed.
Evening star., 1924-02-02

Steadily losing ground, Woodrow Wilson continues grow
weaker and weaker.
But having lasted through night which his physicians feared
would bring the end they predict how long his remarkable
vitality will hold
Although he has taken nourishmen almost wentyfour
hours and is dncned to take of Mr. Wilson's
pulse respiration and temperature early today practically
normal
he grew steadily weaker and weaker Dr. Grayson his
physician, said his life was simply ebbng away.
has the former President unconscious
time have such heroic applications of oxygen been
and have opates been given
been pain Some stmulan have been given small doses
times be of what going his chamber although
he is weak carry conversation He does whisper
mo- in reply questions what may be to
Evening star., 1924-02-02
War President Grows Weaker
Steadily, Refusal Of All Food
Disconcerting Sign.
REMAINS CONSCIOUS; SLEEPS
THROUGH DANGEROUS PERIOD
Mrs. Wilson or Admiral Grayson Continu-
ally at Bedside; End May
Be Matter of Days.
BULLETIN.

AT II 80 o'clock this morning the following official bull
1etin issued
"Mr. Wilson is growing steadily weaker He has been
able take very little nourshment He has had sleep
and has pain He recognizes those about him, but
exhausted to talk Our efforts in the main directed
toward keeping him comfortable
(Sgned) CARY T. GRAYSON,
"STERLING RUFFIN
"H A. FOWLER"
Evening star., 1924-02-02
BUTLER BROADCASTS
PLEA FOR. COOPERATION
Asks Public Aid Police War on
Vice and Crime in Phil
adelphia.
Nv tbe A.,oc,ated Press,


PHILADELPHIA, February a.
Brig. Gen. Smedley d. Butler. director
of public safety, in an address broad
cast from q local radio station last
night, appealed for public co-opera-
tion in his campaign against vice and
crime.
After the first twelve hours of the
fourth forty y-eight-hour drive the
police reported 1874 arrests, seventy.
three Of which were for violations of
the LIQUOR laws
Evening star., 1924-02-02
OIL RETAINER HELD
BLOW T0PR|NC|PA[
ASSET OF M'ADO0
Party Leaders Say HeckIing
Now Certain, Regardless
of Injustice.
ny N. o. MESSENGER.

But one question was asked in po-
litical circles today: What effect
will the disclosures in the oil investi-
Adoo's candidacy for the democratic
presidential nomination."
The bulk of opinion was that of
necessity. whether justly or not, the
revelations yesterday will initiate
against him. A great many politi-
clans go further than that and hold
that he Is practically already elfmi-
hated as - candidate. Mr.. McAdoo
himseff in a statement telegraphed
from Los Angeles Indignantly pro-
tests against the dragging Of his
name into the case. and his national
manager, David Ladd Rockwell, tele-
graphed him from Chicago that his
"critics did not have a leg to stand
on"
Prestige Damaged.
Nevertheless the opinion runs the
other way at the Capitol, and the
New York press comment this MORN
ing was almost unanimous in holding
that Mr.. McAdoo's prestige as a can
didate for the nomination has been IA
tally damaged. The politicians, in ana
lying the situation which has been
created by the testimony that Mr. Nc
Adoo has been receiving $50, 900 a year
from Edward L. Doheny for legal serv-
ices. point out that although the services
rendered was legitimate, the circum-
stances necessarily will put Mr.. McAdoo
on the defensive from now on. placing
him in the position OF always having
to make explanations.
They contend that the democratic
party will hardly dare to take on as
a candidate for the presidency a man
who would constantly be heckled on
the stump and have his connection
lar kind of business, thrown up to
him. They say that one OF the assets
claimed for Mr.. McAdoo with Tabor
and the elements affiliated was that
he was the candidate OF the poor man.
Now he is found to be the corporation
lawyer, receiving enormous fees.
Issue Loses Value.
Another political aspect Of the stu
alton created by the disclosures is
that from now on the oil scandals
Will lose some OIL Inelr value dS a
democratic campaign issue. The DEM
ocrats had built high hopes upon
making a killing with these as q
campaign issue. But the case has
suddenly become bipartisan. Demo-
Gratis OF great political and party
prominence have found their names
dragged in," as Mr.. McAdoo COM
plains.
It is contended that "the pot can
not call the kettle black" with such
force as might have been possible
heretofore. Political history does not
record a similar instance in which
an apparently perfectly good cam
paign issue was demolished between
sun and sun.
II is held by politicians in both
parties that the thing to be done
now is to drop partisanship and pro-
ceed relentless1y to continue the most
searching investigation into every
thing connected with the oil leases.
let It hurt whomsoever it may. 1t
is argued that the country is more
interested in finding out the whole
truth than in politics.
Evening star., 1924-02-02
WEATHER.

Fair tonight. with lowest tempera-
ture about freezing; tomorrow most
ly cloudy, with moderate temperature.
Temperature for twenty-four hours
ended at 9 pm. today: Highest. AZ. at
2 pm. yesterday: lowest, 81, at 7:40
am. today. Full report on page 8.
Evening star., 1924-02-02

Continued on Page 2, Column z.
Evening star., 1924-02-02

Tie Stars carrier system covers
every city block and the regular edi.
tion is delivered to Washington homes
as fast as the papers are printed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
SEWING MACHINE SONG

tFoger McKinsey in Baltimore Sun) buzz and a hum and the shuttle to fill, The pedal is clicking away with a will, The burr and the whirr, and it's easy to know The song of the sewing machine-t0 go Blinking and nodding to fairyland there As you drop off to sleep in your rocking chair Running and buzzing, all day, all day,
 And the sewer is humming, too,
 And cares depart and they fade away,
 And the music is sweet to you. Aprons for Helen and shirts for Bob, Oh, little mother, your life is job! Something for father and something for Ned, It's a wonder you ever can get to bed; While the hum and the buzz and the whirr is
 heard
 Steady and soft as the chirp of bird: Running and buzzing, from morn till night,
 And the melody trips along The song of the sewing machine Is bright
 And there's something in the song. Something in it of home and heart, Something in it that sets us apart: Something singing of patience and love, Of tender toll, and looking above To the grace of the skies for the higher
 things
 And so the song in our spirit sings: Hmlming and buzzing, bobbn and all;
 The siGttle is full, and To- Your head on your bosom to fall, And away to dreamland. you go.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24

the new honor, whereas formerly she has inva- riably allowed others to reap whatever glory there may have been. ts
 Margaret Bondfield began life as the only girl in a large family living in the pinched cir cumstances customary in the lower middle classes. Her schooling was negligible, and as little girl she was apprentieed to a shop keeper. She had a kind master and was treat ed as member of the family, allowed hours off to wheel her mistress babies in the park and every moment she could find she read
 read everything that came to hand, without discrimination, without prejudice. '''
 Like LadY Astor, Margaret Bondfield is no stanch party woman. She can work with Lady Astor she can work with Mrs. Win tringham, with the duchess of Atholl, she can
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
(The Literary Reviewl
Y OODROW WILSON was a man of letters before he was statesman ;


 w if he had not been a man of let ters he might have been president of the United States, but he would never have been the world leader that he became.
 Greatness is not so poor as to succeed by one gift only. but Wilson's lucky penny was unquestionably his power to express. The great presidents of the United States have been fortunate in their ability to speak their when angry, but Jefferson and Cleveland, and Woodrow Wilson, could make words do what men do. save or destroy, condemn or uplift.
 Theodore Roosevelt's literary power was dramatic. His biting phrases made the na- tional tendencies which he praised or deplored seem part of every mans experience. Muck raking'' and 'the' strenuous life' worked in the popular imagination from the moment he gave them birth. Roosevelt phrased his own temperament, but Wilson gave final and re- sounding expression to widespread though un- formulated thinking at a time when the pub lie mind was seething.
 The hot-headed made fun of his war of notes and his constant messages, and vet it is clear now that the Wilsonian phrase was often stronger than battalions, made America ready for war, gave an army it's morale, and hastened the end of the conflict. The same phrase dogmatically uttered by a mere man of letters would have lacked the context of a rich and resourceful country and, later, three million men in arms but even so they would have had power, for they expressed with un- eanny accuracy the ideas of men who put no trust in war. then, the ideals of nation that wished to fight finely; last, the passionate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
By THOMAS R.sMARSHALL ,rmer Vice President of the United States

~ BASEMENT of public. office is so
 much in the public mind just now that A clean government probably will be emphasized by all parties in the coming campaign. This is well and proper. Noth- ing undermines representative government as speedily and more surely than cor ruption in high places. History teaches that when public officials become cor rupt and further their private fortunes at the expense of the commonwealth the gov ernment suffers in the loss of it's strength to withstand stress. Weakness grows as cor ruption increases In the end the governments power to4resist assault from without or -trea- son from within is destroyed. .a
 We have been intrenching against the ef- forts of anarchists, bolshevistsi and commun- ists to undermine our system of government. Argument and invective to offset their bale full influence have been employed successfully. None of us has been unduly alarmed over the activities that we knew were going on. We knew the people could well take care of the few who were exploiting wrong theories of government. But can a people take care of a government whose officials are dishonest?
 Recent developments in some of the states and in Washington have caused thoughtful Americans to contemplate the decline of gov ernments Some have wondered whether the republic is to be dissolved through the cu- pidty and crookedness of its public officials. I would not have 1t understood that had any apprehension on this score. The people of America are as sound of heart and body as were their fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers. Such departure from rectitude as has been noted is not traceable to the peo- pie who make up the republic, only to off, cials here and there who failed in their serv- ice to the republic. !a5,
 The measure of the strength of govern ment is the honesty, integrity and loyalty of it's officials; yes, but am as stanch an ad- vocate of representative government as ever I was. Nothing has occurred to change my view. Isolated incidents of crookedness and cupidity here and there are not sufficient to disturb my settled convictions concerning
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
THE POWER OF WOODROW WILSON ASA MAN OF LETTERS

1 Is to think out words alone, and more and more forsook the policy of statesmen, which is to work with and through able men,. If a general could speak direct to his soldiers he would have little need of officers. That was Wilson's idea. It was remarkably successful until he reached Paris; it was more success full there than N commonly believed, but the senate was too much for it. The senate is neither democratic nor. literary, and has no dim, idealistic hopes.
 That Wilson failed is too readily assumed. It is not probable that he died believing him self failure, and it is not improbable that his ideas will achieve, a final triumphant sue cess. He failed to get us into the league; but then we were certainly not ready to go into the league in 1919. He failed to settle Flu rope; but Europe did not want to be settled by his way in 1919, and is just beginning to admit that in many respects he was right and the nationalists wrong. He did not end war-of course, he never expected that far-off consummation in his time--but, thanks to him, ideas of morality among nations. of com. mon agreement to prevent needless conflict, and of solidarity of interest in the civilized world have entered practical, politics and can enlist at an moment powerful and intelligent support. s.sr7 His ideas live on, and many of his phrases will come back white hot when we pass from the moral lassitude of this decade into some new crisis. It will not be by his achievements in national welfare nor by his services in unifying the country for war, nor by his in credible energy as war president that Wood row Wilson will appeal to the future. He will appear rather as a man of letters, fortunate in his opportunity, who could start ideas upon their course and so achieve an influence be- yond his life and country. .4i
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24

or against any system, but want to raise the question of the attitude of the man who wins oiiice under the primary system toward the office that he holds
 Of recent years we have assumed that the way to get rid of the boss and the crook k to let everybody take a hand. As result we are asking much of the men who present them selves for public office. Under our present system man to obtain nomination to public office is placed under great 7expense. He or his friends are usually required to spend more for thes office than the combined salary of the term for which he is elected. Under such circumstances is not the man who wins cleo tive office apt to think that he has bought something and is entitled to use it to recoup the cost of getting ftf I have in mind. too, the honor that is supposed to go with elec- tive office. Does the winning candidate of c primary feel, after he has gained office as . result of great expense and great effort, that he has been honored by his fellow citizens, or rather does he feel that he has emerged triumphant from a terrific struggle, in which he and his friends showed superior prowess, greater skill and got better results from their expenditures.
 In the essentials of usefulness public ser wants do not differ, from private servants. Yet q business concern would not hire en1- ployes who offered to buy employment It would be suspicious of any one willing to pay for the. privilege, of working for it. There can be no doubt that the public service would be purer ifait were performed by servants hired by the public rather than by persons who are willing to pay out large sums of money for the privilege. of serving the public
 am wholly in accord with the idea that the people should ascertain the character and impulses of persons offering themselves for buys something and yet doesn't feel that it is to be learned from hired publicity agents. He is A rare American who has Anot A Unnd American who does not regard himself as fit to hold any office within the gift of. the peo- pie. The. rarest American of all is he who buys something and yet dos't feel that 1t is his own. ,S .E .4.-i..y
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
CLEAN POLITICS TO BE ISSUE IN COMING CAMPAIGN

theories or forms of government. An addi- tional burden, however, is placed by recent occurrences upon all of us who believe in representative government. We must scruti- nize more than ever before the character of men offering themselves for public office, ex. anime their conduct in office without cessa- tion and demand an easier way than we now have to get rid of office holders who abuse our confidence or reveal that they look upon public office as a private snap.
 I we'll remember the recital of friend of his experiences in seeking a concession from an Eastern potentate. This was just at the outbreak of the Russo-J Japanese war. He was thoroughly disgusted, with the graft and fraud he had found in the potentate's official house4 hold. From the watchman at the, gate to the lord chamberlain next to the throne progress to the source of authority had been possible only by purchase. In that conversation he convinced me that the Japanese would win over the Russians. The Japanese he had learned from long contact with them, would not swindle their government. They would engage in sharp practices, he said, in private dealings, but. all were honest and loyal when the interests of their government were at stake. The Russian government, on the other hand, was honeycombed with fraud and corruption. It would be handicapped Ire. mendously, he said by the idea of official graft which was implanted in the minds of all officials. He said Russia was too corrupt to resist attack. The smaller nation would win, he confidently predicted, because of the Joy. alty and honesty of its officials.
 Debasements of elective office is more se- rtous than debasement of appontive office for reasons that are obvious. Therefore, make only passing reference to the oil lease scan- dals and the disclosures of the special senate committee that investigated the United States Veterans Bureau. l have in mind just now the irregularities of public officials in states like Illinois and Indiana, and find myself wondering whether, generally speak, ing. the partial breakdown of representative government is not traceable to the methods that restiye people have adopted to correct abuses. l make no charge against any man