The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-11
ADVISED DOHENY' ONLY
ON MEXICAN MATTERS
He Tells SENATORS


petroleum to meet the needs OF
national defense and offense.
I: 1T is no exaggeration to say
that the strongest nation in petro
leum reserves will be the most
likely victor in such contest
For all Of these reasons, there
fore, the American Government and
the American people, were inter
ested in Preserving the Mexican
oil supply which was lawfully
owned or controlled by American
I'm 1915, I called the. first Pan.
American Financial Conference Ia
WASHINGTON. It, was attended by
all the South and Central Ameri.
can republics, except Mexico, which
was then in a. state of revolution.
The following year, 1916, / at.
tended the first session Of the In
ternational High Commission of all
the South and Central American
republic at Buerlos Aires in the
Argentine. AT this session were
discussed economic, financial and
other problems of great CONSEQUENCE
to the whole of Latin America and
/ gained a familiarity. with condi-
tons prevailing throughout South
and Central America, which could
not have been secured in any other
way.
Hoped to Better Relations.
II was deeply interested. not
alone in these economic and
financial problems, but in promoting
closer and better relations between
the United States and all Of these
republics.
. 'Mr. Doheny's compares as well
as Mi. Doheny enjoyed an enviable
reputation when he called on me
lin 1919. His companies were the
outstanding independent oil com.
panies furnishing the required sup.
ply OF Mexican fuel oil to our in.
dustr1es along the Atlantic Sea.
board. They were also the only
strong Companies offering competl.
ton with the so.called oil trust in
the United States. For the pur.
pose Of preserving competition and
securing the essential supplies OF
fuel oil for our industries along
the Atlantic Seaboard, 1t was high
ly desirable to protect, by every
legitimate and proper means. the
oil.bearing properties Of American
citizens In Mexico. - -.
Expected Genuine Service.
II believed that an opportunity
was presented to render q genuine
service, outside Of my professional
work, in promoting Latin.American
commerce, and more, particularly
In contributing to the protection
OF all American rights in Mexico,
If retroactive and confiscatory effect
to article 81 Of the Mexican con.
stitution could be prevented.
This, with my letter Of February
z, 1924, gives the history of my
professional connection with the
Doheny companies. The services I
have rendered to them was in good
faith and in full satisfaction for
tha fees that have been paid. /
owe them nothing and they owe me
nothing"
. -..''. Examined by Walsh.
After he finished reading, McAdoo
added: III. .-.,.-
II conceive that this Is a matter
wholly extraneous to the subject
but was willing to come here and
give it to you for such value and
use as you may want in the pursuit
of this Investigation"
Senator Walsh (Dem.) Of Montana
then. began an examination of Me.
Adoo. -
When did you quit as Secretary
Of the Treasury" Walsh asked.
ION December 16, 1913"
"And as director Of railroads."
ION January II, 1919"
When did you start in the law
business?"
81 made an agreement to enter
the law firm Of Cotton & Franklin
Of New York, in the early part Of
1872 McAdoo replied. =
Resumes New York Practice.
''I took a three months vacation
after leaving the Cabinet and on mi
return to New York in April, 1918
! resumed practice as member oil
that firm"
When were you first employed
by Doheny?" Walsh asked.
November 30, 1919"
Had you any relation with
Doheny before that timer"
None whatever" McAdoo said
sharply.
did Doheny ever make any
offer to you while you were in the
cabinet2"
There was never any intimation
suggestion, or thought Of such an
offer while I was In the cabinet
McAdoo replied. "As q matter OF
fact, didn't even know Doheny
until after I left the cabinet.
first received an offer from Doheny
late in 1919. I had only seen him
once before that, then he was on q
reception committee which greeted
me when ] arrived at Los Angeles
earlier in that year"
when did you go to Mexico fol
Doheny?"
His Trip to Mexico.
''In January, 1921" McAdoo re-
Piled. Zone of the purposes OF
my visit to Mexico was to discuss
with Mexican government officials
Article q Of their new Constltu
ton. had a conference with