New Britain herald., 1924-02-19
Teapot Dome Committee ee 44s:s' 4ss;:ss';ss,.,.. s.:.., { s1..' Alleged 0ps.u'''@ Com. Before Lease Was olsn- ed-0ne Witness Asks Immunity

Washington, Feb. 10.--Tbe senate oil committee undertook today to run down story of heavy speculations by high government officials in the stock of the Sinclair Oil companies before and after the Sinclair interests leas- ed Teapot Dome.
 II. H. Benkard. of the New York brokerage firm of J. P. Benkard & Co.,. his personal attorney, & D. Bow CTS and A. H. Cook, office manager of the Benkard firm. were in confer ence with the committee in executive session and it was decided to send ex- pert accountants to New York to ex- anime the records of the firm. Brokers Statement
 MT. Benkard was subpoenaed to produce records Of certain stock trans actions. These records were produc- ed, J. P. Benkard & company have no knowledge or information that these records are in any way con nected with the transactions under investigation or that they affect any one in any way connected with the subject matter. under investigation"
 The following statement was made by Chairman Lenroot:
 What Lenroot Says.
 "Officials of Benkard and company appeared before the committee and produced books and records which were requested. They expressed en- tire willingness to have the commit tee or it's accountants go over all of their records. Some of these are so yoluminous that it will be necessary for accountants Of the committee to go to New York to examine them.'
 Harry Payne Whitney. New York flnancier, also has been subpoenaed and was expected to appear today but the committee received no word from him and efforts to locate him in Wash ington proved unayailing.
 Elmer E. anatEers, or New York, snnpoenaed along -N1tA Mir. Whitney, and members Of the Benkard firm, is now in Europe, the committee was advised.
 Confer With Counsel
 Before conferring with the brokers the committee called fin Atee Pom ereno and owen J. Roberts, special government counsel in the oil cases, tor a general discussion of develop ments during the week end, including matters which formed the subject Of conferences between Senators Walsh and Wheeler, democrats, Montana, and Chairman Lcnroot and Mir. Pom creme.
 Committeeman said that it was the desire to have the closest possible CO., operation with the government coun- sel and to leave to them the questions of law from time to time necessarily to come before the committee.
 Asks Immunity
 One of the subjects discussed and finally referred to counsel was a re- quest from one witness who is under l subpoenae for assurances whether he l would be given immunity fl he ap- | peaf~ed and made a full statement | The committee has been told that this ! witness has much valuable informa- ton bearing on several phases Of the | 
 Senator Wheeler, who lIas presented | some new matters 10 members of the , for investigation was pres ent at the session today by invitation. ! after the committee ad. journed subject to the call Of the chair. hc went 10 the senate chamber to press there his resolutions calling for an investigation of the adniinistra- lion Of the attorney general and the department Of justice.
 While there is no belief now among members of the committee that fur ther sessions will be necessary before Inc reopening Of the public hearings next Monday. some of them said there might be developments which would make an earlier meeting desirable.