The Washington times., 1924-04-26
WHEELER ABLE
'T0FLX THINGS, :
TESTIFIED
Witness at Borah Committee
Probe Ayers Senator Said /,
He Could Help.
By WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service,

Indictment OF Senator Burton X.
Wheeler Cd Of Montana was pre-.
scented to the Borah investigating
committee for the first time today.
Henry G. CLOSER, Montana oil
man. told the committee, which Is
Investigating Wheeler's Fitness to
hold office" of secret conference
between the accused Senator and
his oil clients in Montana. .,
CLOSER said Wheeler impressed
those in the conference that he
would Fix things in Washington" to
get oil permits for Gordon Camp
bell and his associates.
CLOSER also said that Blair Coan,
an agent of the National Republi-
can, official organ OF the Republi.
can party, had launched the inves,
| tigation of Wheeler's oil activities.
Closer first said he was EN-.
| ployed by Gordon Campbell from
November, 1922, to October, 1928,
and that he frequently met Senator
Wheeler to discuss Campbells law
suits"
Questioned by Senator Borah
(Rep1 Of Idaho, Closer said he did
not know the scope of Wheeler's
employment nor what connection
Wheeler had with Campbells oil
permits.
did you ever make any state.
ment referring t othese matters?"
asked Borah.
Yes. in an affidavit which I gave
to Mr.. Coan."
When did you give him the az
fidavit?".
March Q, 1s24,3 said Closer.
THAT was the first one. / gave
him another later"
CLOSER said he was taken to
Denver from Great Falls, Mont,
by Coan to make the second affi-
davit. The second affidavit was
produced but not admitted as evil
dence.
Who paid your trip to Denver?"
"Coan."
did you testify before thte grand
jury?"
yes"
Affidavit Produced.
The second affidavit was pro-
duced. 1t related to a meeting be-
tween Wheeler, Campbell, Closer
and a Mr.. Rhea at the Rainbow
Hotel in Great Falls, Mont. 1t re
ferred to the conversation at the
conference.
ITO whom did you first make
this statement relating to Senator
Wheeler's employment before the
land Officer" asked Senator Borah.
u. D. Watson. a stock man at
Great Falls" said CLOSER.
Who was the first to ask you
about the scope Of Wheeler's EN-.
ployment?"
Watson. He told me there were
parties in Montana from Washing
ton who were going to see me
about Wheeler's employment"
was Watson appearing for Mr..
II don't know"
Who introduced Coan to your"
Either Watson or Assistant
United States Attorney Meigs."
Senator Sterling Qsep) of South
about the conference.
What was said by Senator
Wheeler at this meeting regarding
Oil permits" asked Sterling.
"A great deal was said about oil
permits generally"
I"What was Said?"
CLOSER. "He thought it very val.
liable and we talked about It,"
What did Wheeler say?"
Could Get Permits.
me Wheeler left us under the i'm
preston that he could fix things
up In Washington" he said. "The
permits-were very valuable and we
expected to get a good split"
What did he say about getting
the permits?"
HE left me under the impression
that there would be no trouble
to fix it in Washington"
CLOSER said Campbell came to the
meeting in "the freight elevator"
Under questioning Closer said
Campbell's action was taken to- es-
cape process servers in a lawsuit
pending against him.
Closer said he had testified before
the Great Falls grand jury.
Did Coan tell you what he want
ed with the affidavit?" asked Sen.
ator Caraway Dem.) Of Arkansas.
Yes, he said he was going to
use 1t in the newspapers"
You knew then 1t was to be used
against Senator Wheeler"
papers" w
Yes, ODE used to- discredit Sen.
ator Wheeler in his Investigation OF
FORMER Attorney General Daughter.
IT don't think So"
Ing fro?" ~
1.-THE National Republican"
When Senator Sterling objected
70 the line Of questioning, Caraway
SAID ne wanted to "show the wit.
ness was prejudiced against Wheel
err and learn what compeIsa
davit."
COan Gave Him. S1sO&
Closer said Coan had paid him
$l2O for his expenses from Great
Falls to Denver, $25 on "a sight
seeing trip and his hotel charges.
said,
Ibid Coan promise to pay YOU
that and then renig?"
NO, paid 1t myself"
You made the donation to Coan
Just to make this affidavit?"
Yes, but I had business of nv
own In Denver"
Were you offered any money for
making making this affidavit" z q 2
Closer admitted he had been