The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-02-18
Agreement
on Roberts
, ,P9ss,;;edicted 3;
INT of Philadelphia
,cr as Counsel for Cow
ernment in Teapot Oil
Gases Expected.
Senators Against Delay

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE last con-
gressional act necessary to the in
stitution of legal proceedings in the
oil scandal is expected tomorrow by
the senate in the confirmation of the
nomination Of Owen J. Roberts of
Philadelphia to be a special govern
ment counsel in the oil cases.
Although Senator La Toilette Of
Wisconsin. leader of the republican
insurgents. has prepared to lead a
fight on Mr. Roberts. administration
senator's predicted his appointment
would be approved by substantially
the same majority that the senate
gave last night to the nomination of
Atlee Pomerene of Canton, o., to be
one Of the two chief counsel
While Senator Walsh. Montana.
democrat, chief prosecutor In the oil
investigation. and other senators,
have voiced disapproval of Mr.. Rob
erts' appointment, many members on
both sides of the chamber hold that
he is amply qualified for the task
ahead. Moreover, they argue that
there should be no further delay in
counsel getting down to the stipend
Gus task they must undertake.
Enormous Work Ahead.
The first move in what has come
to be regarded as one OF the most i'm
portant legal battles TO which the
federal government ever has been a
party will be applications in Wyoming
and California for temporary injunc-
tons to stop further extraction of
oil from the naval reserves in those
states operated by the Sinclair and
Doheny interests. respectively.
Prompt action toward this prelimi-
nary step in what must necessarily
be a long drawn out court fight is
expected. Counsel has an enormous
work ahead in studying the record
in the case as developed by the senate
oil committee and 1t is unlikely that
the annulment suits and criminal
will be instituted until
this has been completed and some
investigations made.
After disposing of the nomination
Of Mr.. Roberts, the senate will
adopt the house resolution appropri-
ating 100000 for special counsel.
This measure was approved by the |
house more than two weeks ago and
nas been reported favorably by the |
senate appropriations committee.
Senator Walsh will be absent from |
he senate during the fight over Mr..
nomination. He left Wash
ngton tonight for an unannounced /
but his friends said he
would seek rest somewhere in the
south and endeavor TO rid himself
here of cold which has been Civ
ng him some inconvenience.
Accountants Busy.
While the oil committee is in re-
cess this week, accountants of the
federal trade commission will con-
.inue their work on the books Of W.
B. Hibbs & Co. and other Washing
ton stockbroker firms In an effort
10 ascertain whether there were
dealings by public officials in oil
stocks of the Sinclair and Doheny
subsequent to the grant
ng Of the leases by Albert b. Fall,
rs secretary OF the interior.
The committee desires also to go
into the records of firms members
of the New York Stock exchange.
but as yet Ii has taken no action on
The letter of President Cromwell in
which he proposed an examination
Of the records in the same manner
AZ was adopted at the time of the
leak" investigation.
T.. L. Doheny. in a statement made
public here tonight. took issue with
Senator Walsh's recent statement 10
he senate that tho government was
getting only 6 per cent OF the oil
which his company was taking out
Of the California reserve. He con-
tended that his company actually has
paid 81 per cent of all OF the oil ex.
tracted.