Evening star., 1924-01-30

with a feeling of regret. sorrow and
| humiliation"
"I have no party to eulogize," said
| Senator Norris, "and no party to con-
denim. l have only an interest in the
integrity of our common country"
Says Policy Disregarded.
The investigation into the leasing
OF oil reserves has shown clearly, he
asserted, that from the beginning
there has been an utter disregard"
of the government policy as laid
down by Congress and of the laws
enacted To carry out that policy.
THE very first order (the execu-
tive order transferring the reserves
from the Navy to the Interior) upon
which all the leases were based" he
absolutely illegal"
In fact, it was made in defiance
lof all laws bearing upon that sub
ject.
II concede that men may honestly
these oil reserves in the ground or in
tank storage. But there is no op-
portunity for disagreement upon the
!question that the policy in this re-
lspect is peculiarly with Congress,
iduty of every patriotic citizen to see
that such policy is carried out 1t is
especially the duty of high public Of
IficialS."
Pointing out that Congress had not
been asked to legislate authorizing
the transfer, Senator Norris declared
1t was because those interested knew
that Congress would not approve 1t.
IF we are to maintain our institu-
tlonS, If the republic is to live" he
said, 1T must be through respect and
admiration for the law.
What can you expect from the
people if high officials disregard and
set them aside with impunity?"
Violations of law, as presented in
the, present instance. Senator Norris
declared, eventually would lead to a
rule by despots and tyrants.
There could be no doubt. he argued.
that the leases and contracts made
by Secretary Fall, after the Illegal
transfer of jurisdiction to him, were
''as void of legality as the original
order of transfer"
Referring to statements that the
leases had been discussed by the cabi-
net Senator Norris said he often won
dered if the illegality of the contem-
plated action had not been called to
the attention of that body by "the
eminent Secretary of State, lawyer
of highest standing"
Evidence "Inconclusive.,
II don't want to dwell upon this
point" he added. because the evil
dence is not conclusive that the mat
ters were taken before the cabinet"
Senator Smoot republican, Utah.
that they were not considered at any
cabinet meeting he attended. The
Utah senator asked Senator Walsh,
democrat. Montana, if there had been
other evidence on this point;
II don't recall Secretary DENLY so
testifying," said Senator Walsh. but
if he had it would carry no weight
with me. Mr.. DENLY knew nothing
about anything"
Resuming his argument. Senator
Norris said that If the Secretary of
the Interior had authority to enter
into the oil reserve leases he had
equal right to dispose of any public
property, "even to the Capitol grounds
Hits Mclean Testimony.
Turning to the testimony given be-
fore the investigating committee,
Senator Norris discussed at length
the statements of Edward B. Mclean,
the Washington newspaper publisher
The testimony of Fall and Mclean
regarding a 100000 loan by the pub
Usher to the former Secretary was
characterized by Mr.. Norris as "a
cock and bull story" which nobody
would have believed even before Nc
Lean testified under oath that
Fall had returned the checks un-
'cashed. 1t all had been planned. the
senator said, when Fall found it
necessary to explain the source of
his wealth. Neither Fall nor Mclean
expected, he said. that the matter
would be fully investigated.
1T was an attempt of Fall to shield
himself from further investigation,
which would show" Senator Norris
way through"
Il have looked with humiliation"
the senator continued, upon the fact
that so many of our officials have
with Mr.. Mclean. You know with
what humiliation we looked when
the President of the United States,
just elected to that office. came to
Washington and made his home in
When Senator Glass, democrat,
Virginia, asked whether the Presi-
dent had requested the Attorney Gen.
eral to advise him on the validity Of
an executive order TT. transferring the
partment, Senator Norris replied in
the negative. He remarked that it
was true there is another member
Of the cabinet who has been admitted
at won't put him in the same class
as the Secretary of State. but he was
the legal adviser OF the government,
and he had under him many who
submitted the question, had he been
asked for an opinion, to attorneys
who were able to give him advice"
Senator CouZens, republican, Mfchi-
gan, told the Senate that while all
these recriminations are being made"
he wanted to call attention that Con-
gress itself had been negligent in pass
ing in SO broad terms a law designed
to permit the drilling of Offset wells
/ TO lgevent the draining of the naval