New Britain herald., 1924-01-31
Walsh and Robinson, LeadersinFight Against Fall, Summoned to White House
Hughes Defends Court
 Against Norris Statement

Washington. Jan. 31.-Both demo-
 cratic and republican leaders of the
 senate were consulted by President
 Coolidge today just. before the debate
 on the Walsh oil lease annulment
 resolution was resumed.
 After the ranking senators in the
 republican senate organization had
 paid an early call at the white house,
 the president summoned Senator
 Walsh, democrat, Montana, who has
 had a dominant part in the oil in- quiry, and Senator Robinson of Ar
 kansas, the democratic floor leader
 and author of the resolution calling
 for the resignation of Secretary
 Denby.
 White House officials said the pres- ident desired to discuss with the two democratic leaders the whole question
 of the investigation as made by the senate committee and as contemplated
 by the executive branch of the gov- ernment
 Senators Robinson and Walsh said after their meeting with the executive. that the Robinson resolution calling for the resignation of Mir. Denby would be pressed. but declined to say whether possible changes in it's phraseology would be made.
 The conference was described by the two senators as having brought about no conclusions. They mentioned reports that former Attorney General Gregory had served at attorney for the Gulf oil company, but declared they regarded such connection as rather immateriai.
 Senator Robinson added that 1t ap- peared rather late" to take up the subject of the employment of counsel inasmuch as the White House had an- nounced it's selections.
 1ndications were given by Senator Walsh That tho proposed amendment of Senator Mckellar, democrat, Ten nesse, providing that none of the counsel should be men who have any with oil interests, would not receive the united support of senators. Such a connec- ton it was pointed out, might not nec- render an attorney biased in his Judgment, and Senator Walsh added that if such a bar were to be raised he himself might be challenged as an investigator.
 The two democratic senators were In conference with the president for nearly an hour.
 The conference was the first the President has had with democratic senator's since the oil lease inquiry assumed it's present major propor- ions.
 silas H. strawn, one ofahe special counsel selected by the President to conduct the governments investiga- ion, arrived at the White House al- most simultaneously with the two enators but did not eo into confer- nee with the President with them.
 Arrangements were made mean ime for a conference between Mir. itrawn and J. Crawford Biggs, of laleigh. N. C.. an attorney said to ave been intimately acquainted with he oil land policies carried out by ecretary Daniels, upder the Wilson 
 Debate Before Naval Committees.
 Before the house naval committed. mich Is inquiring into the disposition royalty oils under the Doheny and inclair leases. a debate developed yer the Daniels policies. with repub- can members declaring that the door pr the Fall contracts originally was pened by the former democratic avy secretary.
 The senate oil committee held no sssion, but three physicians selected y if went to the apartment where 1rmer secretary Fall is confined to etermine whether he is to i'll to tes- fy when the committee hearings are ssumed tomorrow.
 Deny Runners of Resignation.
 In the midst of these developments Imors of cabinet changes. involving ie retirement Of Secretary Denby 1d Attorney General Daugherty. 1nfined to fly thick and fast, but Slemp denied flatlya story ist the two cabinet members had aced their resignaiions before the resident.
 II was indicated that an features
 the problem were talked over with e President by Senators Robinson d Walsh. but that most Of the com renee vas taken up with the ques- Jn Of the special counsel who will osecute the annulment suits. Mir. Coolidge has selected Thomas . Gregory Of Texas. a former demo- afir attorney general. to act with r. Stravn. and he is on his way 10 ashington. There were evidences sterday. however. that something ght have gone amiss in the plans. d it was even more apparent today st the makeup Of the governments unset was a subject still occupying large share of attention in adminis- stion circles.
 II zas Co talk over that subject that lairmen Lenroot Of the oil commit . and Senator Curtis Of Kansas. the publican whip. made an early 1rning trip 10 the White House. ter Senstor Lodge. the republican