Evening star., 1924-03-06
OIL PROBE STRAINS.
|. NERVES OF CAPITAL
Slight References to Men in
Public Life at Once Ex- d.
cite Suspicion.
by DAVID LAWRENCE.

SO tense has the atmosphere here
become since the Teapot Dome dis
closures We're made and so sensitive
are officials and public men gener-
ally about the reckless way in which
doubtful imputation is being given
to acts which ordinarily would be re-
Garded as routine that Washington is
developing bad case Of nerves.
The revelation that President Cool
ldEo had sent a telegram to Palm
Beach to Edward B. Mclean. pub
Usher of the Washington Post. agree
ing 10 consult him about the appoint
ment of Commissioner for the District
OF Columbia was regarded as OF such
Importance as to require an imme-
diate statement of explanation by the
President. Mr.. McLean's kilograms
from friends in Washington keeping
him posted about the activities of
the committee before witch he was
to testify have been made the sub
tect of considerable discussion. though
when analyzed there isn't n bit OF in
formation which Mclean wouldn't
have been able to get himself. If he
had been In Washington. from the re-
porters of his own newspaper.
Await Mclean Testimony.
Just at the moment the investiga-
tion is drifting along aimlessly, the
prosecutors hoping that they will
stumble on something which will un-
cover a sensation. The testimony Of
Mclean is, of course, awaited with
intense interest, as he will be asked
no doubt all about his relations with
government officials and what he
knew about the negotiation of the oil
leases by the Doheny and Sinclair in
terests, but nobody expects him to
reveal that he was principal in that
affair. AS an informant, the commit
tee expects much from him. for he
enjoyed the confidence of the highest
officials.
Meanwhile it begins to look as II the
Teapot Dome inquiry will be overshad-
owed by the Veterans Bureau inquiry
and that the real political dynamite
for the coming campaign will come out
of the latter. Indeed, the renewal of
the drive against Attorney General
Daugherty is attributed to the reports
that the Veterans Bureau scandal has
already involved some men who were
so close to the Attorney General as to
excite public curiosity concerning Mr..
Daugherty'S knowledge or lack of
knowledge of their doings. Is a man
responsible for what his friends do?
Public officials know that on the fringe
of the government are many who trade
on their friendships.
Judge Kenyon Mentioned.
Discussion of a successor to At
torney General Daugherty has been
going on in administration quarters
on the assumption that the retire.
ment Of Mr.. Daugherty before long
name of Judge William Kenyon, who
resigned as United States senator
from Iowa to accept an appointment
from President Harding to the fed
eral bench has In it interesting pos
sibilities. 1t is doubtful, however,
whether Judge Kenyon would accept.
He left the Senate largely because
he wanted to escape from the po-
Itical melee; He was then leader
of the farm bloc: in fact. he was its
Kenyon for President on the repub-
lican ticket in 1920 and gossip has
it that many of the republican lead
ers would not be averse to the nomi-
nation of Kenyon If anything de-
veloped to disqualify Mr.. Coolidge.
Judge Kenyon has the confidence of
western republicanism whose aid is
so vital to the decision of the next
composed of Coolidge for President
and Kenyon for Vice President. would
be distinct advantage to the Cool
idge campaign. Acceptance of the
portfolio of attorney general might
bring such confidence throughout the
country in the administration Of the
Department of Justice as to warrant
the Coolidge supporters in urging
Judge Kenyon to leave the bench,
take the attorney generalship and
with tht vice presidential nomination.
Mr.. Kenyon was an assistant attor-
ney general in the Taft administra-
tion and made a splendid record in
posecuting trusts.
Judge Kenyon did not participate
in the selection of Mr.. Brookhart as
republican senator from Iowa, but he
was not displeased by the choice. He
is by no means unsympathetic with
the Brookhart attitude. something
which the conservatives of the east
would have to swallow If they drafted
Kenyon.
downright 1924)