Evening star., 1924-03-19

and Immediately had notified w. j.
Burns of the Department of Justice.
Became Harding Intimate.
Darden said he had known Presi-
dent Harding a long time. and had
become intimate with him during the
pre-convention campaign in 1920.
Did you aid in bringing about his
nomination."
Il did everything I could"
Did you raise any money!"
"I did now and then, a very little.
Where did you raise the money?
Among my friends, some of my
democratic friends, including some in
North Carolina"
DO you know Joseph Hall of New
York;"
Il do. met him during the Hard
ing campaign. He came to see US
and wanted to help. Mr.. Daugherty
was there"
Darden said he also became inti-
mate with Attorney General Daugh-
erty during the Harding campaign.
Tells of Getting Claims.
Senator Walsh took the inquiry to
Teapot Dome, and Darden launched
into a long recital of how he got
claims in the Salt Creek field, as well
as in the naval reserve. He said there
were $50 acres in Teapot involved
and twice as much outside 1t was
during the Wilson administration,
Darden said, that he took the matter
up with the Interior Department.
Asserting that a Mr.. Taylor had
decided to contest with him his right
to the land on Teapot Dome, Darden
continued:
MIR. TAYLOR came down and en-
ployed a Mr. Wilson. the President
brother. Mr.. Payne tthe Secretary OF
the Interior) decided in our favor for
a small acreage. He never said any :
thing about the l6o acres.
II never discussed oil with MT
Harding or MIR. Daugherty in my lie
until this matter came up, SAID the
witness.
Explains Origin of Claims.
Darden explained that he got his
claims from the Belgo Company, one
of those Harry +. Sinclair bought
out after he received the Teapot
lease He presented what purported
TO be a. copy of the deed, whlsh was
included in a bill of complaint against
the Mammoth Oil Company, by Oar
den and his partners, John f. Cam
pion and Robert G. Taylor.
What did you pay for your share
of this?" asked Senator Walsh.
Il don't know exactly. Campion and
| Taylor were to nnance 1t and i was
to pay my proportion.
Rooert S. B.Ignt, counsel for Dar-
den. said the land was gained as a
result oil a compromise with the Bel-
go Company, which had u dispute
over claims with Camp.on and Tag 4or.
Pressed as to what he was to have
paid, Darden SAID it was not set
tied, and never had been sGtt.eo
finally. He recalled one payment oi
about $1,000 as expenses incident tC
: the tgnL with the Belgo Company
before the compromise in June, 1920
Never Applied for Lease.
when. did you apply, if you ever
did apply, for a lease for the 16(
acres IN Teapot"
I'VE never did apply"
Darden denied that he had gone to
zee Attorney General DaugIerty con
cerning the claim in TEAPOT Dome, as
has been Indicated by Official cor
respondence in the committee record
Took Up Matters Here.
The witness said he learned
through gossip that Sinclair was
to get Teapot Dome two months be-
fore the lease was signed on April
!, 1922.
This gossip" came from oil men
who were coming and going" at
Washington constantly, Darden SAID.
Did you take it up with President
Harding and Mr.. Daugherty?" asked
Senator Dill, democrat, Washington.
Il did" was the reply.
Il went first to see Assistant Sec