New Britain herald., 1924-05-01
WHEELER PROMISED
 ID GIVE SOME AID
Witness Says He Was to Help in
 Land Permits

Washington, May 1.-The special senate committee investigating the in- dictment Of Senator Wheeler in Mon tana was told today that Mir. Wheeler had promised when he came to Wash ington to take care of the land per- mits in which his client, Gordon Campbell, was interested.
 w. w. Rhea, Colorado oil man, testified that he heard such an as- surance given 10 Campbell in January, 1923, and that Campbell had hold him Wheeler was to be paid for it. The Montana indictment charged that the senator took a fee for appearing before the interior department in the matter.
 Under severe cross examination. the witness stuck to his story but said he first had made these statements within ten minutes after he had met Blair Coan, sent to Montana by Secre- tary Lockwood of the republican na- tional committee. although he did not know for what purpose Coan wanted the information.
 Prior to Rhea's testimony the com mittee had received from Commis- sioner Spry of the general land office letter saying the files of his office failed to show that Senator Wheeler ever had appeared as an attorney there in land matters.
 At the outset Chairman Borah read letter from Commissioner Spry of the general land office, saying that a search of the files of his office failed 10 show any appearance as an attor- ney of Senator Wheeler before that office in the matter of land permits.
 W. w. Rhea of Idaho Springs Colo. who identified himself as an oil man, was the first witness He said he had met Wheeler at the Rainbow hotel in Great Falls on January 15, 1923. at a conference. at which Gordon Camp bell and H. C. Closer also were pres ent.
 ''The main conversation" he said, 'was in regard 10 the Phil McGowan permit. Mir. Campbell said it would be fixed up when NIT. Wheeler got to, Washington" '
 What If anything, did Senator Wheeler say?" asked Senator Borah.
 'He said he didn't need to worry. that this would all be taken care of when he got back here"
 Rhea said he had an interest in the Phil McGowan permit. and that' Campbell declared If the permit was fixed up. they would give Wheeler quite a big slice out of it.
 "Did Senator Wheeler make any statement when there was talk of rlicing up the permit" asked Senator Borah.
 'I don't think he said word" was the reply
 Ehea tcstifed he never paid any sam to Wheeler in connection with inc permit nor did he nave any knowl- edge that Wheeler apepared in the land office either in Washington or Montana iu connection with it.
 senator Borah developed that Rhea had made an affidavt in connection with the Rainbow hotel conference.
 ITO whom did you first narrate this mstter?" asked Senator Borah.
 ITO Mir. coan."
 Rhea said he had met Coan at Dem yer on invitation of Closer who for- merly was an employe of Campbell.
 Was this after the investigation Of Attorney General Daugherty had started 2" asked Senator Borah.
 Well, guess 1t was" the witness replied.
 Rhea said he made the affidavit within 10 minutes after he met coan. He added that he and Glosser and coan had not talked the matter over before he made the affidavit.
 Under examination by Senator Eterling, republican, South Dakota, Rhea said his claim was under con- test at Washington at the time Of the Rainbow Hotel conference. That question was discussed.
 Were any other matters discuss d asked Senator Sterling.
 T think they talked about some sther land permits"
 The witness declared Campbell told him during the conference that Wheeler could straighten the matter out because Of the influence he would have at washintgon. Wheeler asked Tor data and maps of the claim.
 The witness then said he had had conversation with Campbell regarding The employment Of Wheeler in con- npctIon with the land perrnffa and