Evening star., 1924-03-22

dispelled''
Senator Spencer republican. Mis-
souri,. took the opposite view. There
the right of Congress to inquire into
the affairs of private citizen merely
for information which might or might
not be helpful"
Cites Bills Pending,
Il think We had much better pay
more attention to the 100 or more bills
pending before this committee" Sena-
tor Spencer said, than pursuing what
consider doubtful right"
Senator Adams. democrat. Colorado,
challenged Senator Spencer's statement
about the committee negleeting pend
ing bills. saying many now were under
consideration by subcommittee.
After an hours discussion, the COM
mittee directed Sinclair TO take the wit
against the plea Of his counsel was
unanimous.
By a vote of nine to two the commit
tee also rejected a motion of Senator
Bursum, republican, New Mexico. that
Sinclair not be questioned about any
matter involved in the court proceed
ings brought at Cheyenne in the oil
lease cases. The only senator's sup
porting this motion were Bursum and
Cameron. republican, Arizona.
Sinclair Refuses to Testify.
Sinclair refused to testify. In
statement he declared he did not de-
sire to plead that his replies might
tend to incriminate him, because
there is nothing he continued, -in
any Of the facts or circumstances of
the lease OF Teapot Dome which does
or can incriminate.
The statement then reca pit tulated
the operators previous appearances
before Senate committees regarding
the lease and added:
Thus it appears that l have been
before your committee at five diff
ferent sessions and answered all
questions and produced all books and
papers called for, and l was finally
excused from further attendance"
Cites Resolution.
Sinclair called attention to the fact
cution in the oil lease cases had
been passed by the Senate since his
last appearance. The resolution in
effect "denouncs the lease between
the government and the Mammoth
Oil Company" he said. on the ground
of fraud and corruption.
This is an assertion that under
the rights and equities of the Unit
ed States the land covered by the
lease of Teapot Dome belongs to the
United States" the statement said
II shall reserve any evidence ] may
be able to give" Sinclair said to the
committee, "for those courts to which
you and your colleagues have DELHI
erately referred all questions OF
which you had any Jurisdiction. and
shall respectfully decline to answer
any questions propounded by your
committee"
When Sinclair had finished reading
his statement, Senator Walsh said
he desired to ask him about the tes-
timony Of frederick G. Bon6ls. pub
Usher of the Denver Post. e The op-
orator conferred with hisV counsel.
"I decline to answer, on advice of
counsel. on the same grounds.
Again Refuses Reply.
Senator Walsh asked about Sim
clairs purchase from the Pioneer and
Belgo Oil companies Of their claims
in Teapot Dome and got the sanae
answer. Then the prosecutor put a
long line of questions covering all
of the important matters on which
he desired to interrogate him, and
the oil magnate declined to answer
each ION the same grounds.
Sinclair then was excused.
Thank you very much, gentlemen"
said Ltt1eton. as he accompanied his
client away from the witness chair.
DENIES OIL STOCK GIVEN.