San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-09
CLAIMS HIS
INDICTMENT
CONSPIRACY
Says His Activities Against
Political Crooks Re-
sponsible.
PROSECUTED GRAFTEkS
Says Foreman Of Grand
Jury That Billed Him
| Bitter Enemy
PROBE TO CONTINUE
Accusations Will Not Halt
Justice Department {
| Investigation.
PROBE TO CONTINUE

Washington, April 9.-Without
dissenting voice, the Senate today or
dered a special committee of five of
its members to investigate the charges
made yesterday in a federal indict-
ment returned in Montana against
Senator Wheeler, prosecutor of the
Daugherty investigation.
The resolution ordering the inquiry
was presented after Senator Wheeler
had denied the charges on the Senate
floor and had gathered about him an
imposing circle of defenders drawn
from the leadership of the Democratic
and Republican insurgent senate
:orces.
Chairman Brookhart of the DaIga-
erty committee at first announced that
his committee would itself investigate
the conspiracy" which had resulted
in Senator Wheeler's Indictment ~in
an underhand effort TO block the in
quiry into the department of JUSTICE
The Democratic floor leader, Sena-
tor Robinson, Arkansas, suggested that
new committee be appointed 10 UNI
dertake the new inquiry, and Senator
Walsh, Montana, the prosecutor of
the oil committee, then presented
formal resolution TO that end. lie
said he did it at Senator Wheelers
request and il was adopted by vote
of reclamation. almost as soon as it
was laid before the Senate.
Charging that the indictment was a
"damnable conspiracy senator
Wheeler told his colleagues that be
had known for weeks of the inquiry
into his record in progress by depart
ment of justice agents. He denied
specifically the charge in the indict-
ment that after his election to the
Senate he had improperly accepted
money for appearing before the in
terror department in the interest of
oil clients.
His contract in the case. he said.
specifically provided that he should
not practice before any government
department.
Wheeler's Remarks Confirmed
Senator Robinson declared that no
one who had heard the senator's
speech could doubt the truth of his
statements. and Senator Walsh rs
serted that the solicitor of the interior
department had personally confirmed
to him all of the assertions made on
the floor today by Senator Wheeler.
Denounces the Indictment.
Rising TO a question of personal
privilege, Wheeler denounced the in
dictment returned against him.
Senator Wheeler spoke to a crowded
Senate, virtually every member being
in his seat and the galleries jamnrei.
The Montana senator first gave s
brief resume of his personal career
from his birth in Massachusetts. to
his entrance into public life in Butte.
Mont. where he said he incurred the
ill-will of one Of the largest financial
interests in the state by voting for
Senator Walsh, Democrat, his present
colleague.
Says He Was Banned From Politics.
For that vote. Senator Wheeler said.
he was told he could not remain IN
public affairs or in the state.
During service as district attorney.
he said. it became my duty 10 prose-
cute some prominent politicians. both
Republican and Democratic, and u
cite certain public officials for con-
tempt on charges Of tamperins with
jury"
One of these officials. hs said. late.
became associated with large c'n-
per company and from that point on
has been active in opposing me.
Says Jury Foreman His Enemy.
while in office senator Wheeler
continued. Il found it incumbent 70
prosecute graft and corruption ana
here i find myself in the Departmens
of Justice investigation. As q result !
find myself today standing indicted.
The foreman Of the Montana grand
Jury was described by Senator Wheel
or as the bitterest political enemy
/ have"
The man who presented the evil
dence 10 the jury" he added. recently
had sought his (Wheelers) aid IN oo-
tanning an appointment.
This indictment" he said, IS part
Of one OF the most damnable eonspir.
aeies ever consummated in the UsAHs
States