New Britain herald., 1924-01-26
Chief Executive Asks For Information Con- corning Wisdom Of Policy In Giving Leases.
Statement as to Criminal and Civil Proceedings Liable to Come Soon Senator Fall Still in Re- tirement.

Washington, Jan. 26. - While the senate oil committee was seeking fur ther light today on the relations of former Interior Secretary Fall and Harry F. Sinclair, President Coolidge asked the interior department to sub- init to him expert advice as to tho wisdom of the policy under which the Sinclair and Doheny interests seeurea leases from MT. Fall for the oil res serves in Wyoming and California.
 The president asked the depart ment to furnish him at the earliest possible moment report on the ques- tion whether the leases protect the interests of the government
 This inquiry is separate from the instructions given the department of justice, which is studying the eyidenesN to determine whether there has been \ proof of fraud, but both actions ars directed toward the same end. Tho purpose is to ascertain definitely whether the leases should be can- celled.
 -. May State Intentions
 Mir. Coolidge may make a public statement of the governments inten- tions, both as to criminal and civif proceedings as soon as the depart- mental investigations are concluded, and as soon as Mir. Fall has been given an opportunity Monday to pre- sent his side of the matter to the sen- ate committee. The president believes the evidence produced before the committee is too serious to warrant much delay in delineating the govern ment's course. he dons npf think it should be postponed until the com- n.ittee makes it's report.
 The disclosures before the senate committee were talked over by the president today wtth John T. Adams. chairman Of the republican national committee. Mir. Adams declined to discuss the nature Of the conference, but indicated that his views on the matter had been set forth in an edi- torial appearing in the current num- her of the National Republican which says:
 Adams Views
 "The disclosures in the Fall case are in a sense discrcditabie to the United States senate and to the Hard- Ing administration. for Senator Fall was a member of both. They do not however. involve the integrity of tho senate or of the Harding administra- ton as a whole.
 Guilt is personal and dishonesty Is characteristic that has been noted in men of all parties: there never will be d political party in which all Of its members charged with official responsibility may be depended on not to hetray their trust.
 Every act committed by any of- icial h violation Of the laws he has worn to uphold. every betrayal of rust by whomsoeYer committed, mould be prosecuted with q view 10 of the guilty
 Mir. Fall remained secluded today if the home Of J. W. ZeKely. Harry personal attorney, who tess flied yesterday that Sinclair loaned he former secretary s25,08a in lib- rty bonds three months after he left he cabinet.
 May Not Appear Monday
 Although Falls physical condition yss said to be somewhat improved, lis physician. Dr. John Wharton. de- Jared it was not vet absolutely cer- ain whether he would be able to ap- ear before the committee on Mon. lay. He remains confined 10 his bed nd is being attended by q trained nrss
 Another physician. Dr William iereer sprigg, was called in today by IT, Wharton
 MT. Fall is a very sick man. said ir. Wharton in his first public state rent regarding his patient "He was rk in the south. and his condition as aggravated by his trip 10 Wash gton. Especially the bronchial trou- Is. Dut there is some improvement '8at. He now has nu tempgra tiiFe. fact t is slightly subnor1ual. but Q cannot leave his bed at present 1d we cannot state before Monday neither he will be atlp to appear at at time before the senate commit e. He certainly would nof do 50 to- ay in his press nt condition.
 Mir. Fal Is still hetug denied 10 afI iiiefs and WiIi make no comment on svei0pments in tlst committee inc ltry until he Is able to appear be- .ys. sf