New Britain herald., 1924-03-21
Right To De Facts As Ca.
Before Court-No De-
 cision Is Reached, But Debate Waxes Warm.

Washington. March 2l = Counsel for Harry F. Sinclair waged an in conclusive two hour legal battle with the oil committee today in an effort to have their client excused 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 of fraud are pending against him in the courts, Martin w. Littleton of the Sinclair counsel told committee members that their course was "monstrous pro- position" and an outrage.
 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 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 the oil inquiry, sat at the committee table, apparently confident that in the end he would be ex- cnsed from testifying. His counsel did not predict what other legal priv ileges might be invoked later in his hnhalf h.,t cuf ed 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 1t might in- criminate him.
 starts With Objection / The right of the oil committee to proceed with it's inquiry inlo tile lea.s- ing of Teapot Done aAd Asatc1 sub jects was challengei today by counsel for Harry r. sin lair whea he return cd to the witness stand for question: ing about his possible relations to the dramatic disclosures of recent weeks
 Attorneys for the operator based their objection Dn The Walsh resolu- ton, adopted by congress. directing of the oil leases. They pointed out that the resolution de- clared the leases were made under indicating fraud and corruption and said that ifsthis be true the committee had ascertained what it was directed to ascertain.
 Tn a long argument presented im- after the witness was call ed to the stand. Martin W, Littleton. of the Sinclair counsel. contended that by the resolution congress not only had brought to an end the jurisdic- ion of the committee. but had de fined the policy of the government l that the oil shall be preserved for the l 
 Continues Arguments
 You have passed upon the validity 1 ,f these leases" iIttl. 'on said, 'and l IS far as the legislative adjudication ,an be effective you have legislated | he leases to be void and have leg siatively imposed an injunction with 'cgard to the property
 You have established policy of he government on this subject, and anything you claim would be only a letail which would not warrant the urther examination of my client in his matter.
 You not only say that the leases Ire void. but the language you use is cry broad and the policy you have established is very definite. You have eclared the policy of this govern nent is that the oil should be maln- Bined in the ground as a great re-
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