Evening star., 1924-03-21
SINCLAIR COUNSEL
WAGES HOT BATTLE
T0BLOCK PROBERS
Challenges Committees
Right to Grill Holder
of Teapot Lease.
COMMITTEE. ADJ0URNS;
TO RESUME TOMORROW
Matter Expected to Be Settled
Soon-Inquiry Move Called
"Monstrous."

Counsel for Harry F. Sinclair waged
an inconclusive two-hour legal bat
tie with the oil committee today
n an effort to have their client ex-
cused from further questioning.
Challenging the committees au-
thority to proceed with the inquiry
after the validity Of the leases al
ready had been passed upon in a
resolution of Congress, and contend
ing that in fairness and justice"
Sinclair should not be compelled to
testify while charges 81 fraud are
pending against him If the courts,
Martin w. Littleton OF the Sinclair
counsel told committee members that
their course was "monstrous prop
osition" and an outrage"
WALSH Disaxrees.
Senator Walsh. the committee
prosecutor, did not agree with the
Sinclair attorney, but some commit
teemen wanted more time to think
it over and adjournment was taken
without a decision. The argument
will be resumed tomorrow, probably
in open session.
While today's discussion was in
progress the oil operator whose lease
of Teapot Dome was the starting
point of t5e oil inquiry sat at the
committee table, apparently conf
dent that III the end he would be
excused from testifying. His counsel
did not predict what other legal
privileges might be invoked later in
his behalf, but iittleton repeatedly
accused the committee OF attempting
to drive him into a position where
he would have to assume the "odium"
of refusing to answer, like Albert b.
Fall. on the ground that it might in
criminate him.
Sees influences at Work.
Soon after the committee adjourned
one of its members, Senator Dill.
democrat. Washington, started a de-
bate on the Senate floor, in which he
declared Littleton's appearance in the
case demonstrated that powerful in
tluences were at work to stop further
investigation.
Recalling that Littleton had Ques-
toned the authority Of congressional
committees to summon witnesses be-
fore them, Senator Dill said that the
great eastern newspapers all began
to find this INQUIRY nauseatinE on
srsms I from the sTRnsea WRiss Hos.. 1ns ss's to
McLean--the man who confessed he
lied to the committee"
1T was extremely significant" Sem
ator Dill said, that this move should
De made Just when we were about to
question Mr.. Sinclair and Mr.. Hays
(Will H. Hays) regarding the report
ed fund of $4,000 shares Of oil stock
to pay campaign debts"
Snys Change Sudden.
They ddn't think So" he continued,
until we began to get close to big
republican officials. Until then, with
they were content; now we find the
most brilliant member of the New
York bar retained to head OF the
committee"
Senator Reed, democrat. Missouri.
Sussesess Was Seiabtaned aaat the siekeni1s effect
the Department Of Justice is par
alyzd and actually is used to pro-
tect some Of the culprits; that the
Chief Executive has failed to put
some one at the head of the bureau
who would put its machinery in mo-
ton"
Helm Scores Press.
Declaring an effort was being made
by certain portions of the press" to
discredit the Senate, Senator Hei1in.
democrat, Alabama, said he felt com
plimented when one Of these pusil-
laulmOuS SHeetS ATTACKS me. They do
not attack anybody unless he is on
the firing line, fighting in the inter-
est of his country" He added. These
interests are not going to intimidate
the Senate.
They may have the Speaker of the
House go up to Massachusetts, and
talk about how the Senate has low
cred its standards and remind them
of the old days when the Senate used
to discuss constitutional questions.
CONTINUED on Page S, Column IL