The Washington times., 1924-02-08
Oil Probe Started By
Harry A. SLattery
Lawyer of D. c. Early Saw
Hand of Fall in Deal to
Grab Rich Reserves Held
by u. s. for Future Needs.
Had Backing of Roose-
veIt and Gov. .Pinchot.
BY JOHN T. LAMBERT,

BY JOHN I. LAMbEh4,
Cosmopolitan News Service.
Nothing ever starts OF itself.
There is always someone be-
hind to give it a shove. Per-
haps you would like to know
who started this Teapot Dome
investigation, which has re-
vealed corruption and a sinis-
ter disregard Of the public
welfare.
It was started by Harry A.
Slattery.
Associated With PinchOt.
Mr.. Slattery was associated with
Clifford Pinchot in the famous Bal
linger revelations when he was a
mere boy. He was secretary OF
the American Conservation Associa-
tion for years. He is one Of the
best informed men in the world on
conservation of natural resources.
He Is now thirty-nine, a bachelor,
a practicing Washington lawyer,
personally attractive, very eligible
and genuinely respected by the big
men Of the nation.
The ''Irish Rebel"
Colonel Roosevelt called him 1.-THE
Irish rebel from the South" He
was born in South Carolina.
The last time Colonel Roosevelt
was in Washington, Mr.. Slattery
pointed out to him the under cover
conspiracy of private operators to
get control of the Government oil
lands. The colonel put his arm
around Slattery's shoulder affec-
tionately and said to him, "Stick
to it, you rebel. Don't let them
get away with it."
Because of his sincere interest In
preserving the oil wealth for the
public, Slattery watched carefully
the manipuIations of Secretary Fall
and the others. 1t was at his So
licitation that Senator LaFollette
presented the oil-probe resolution
which has resulted in the scandal.
Gus disclosures. Secretary Fall pub
llClY d OASSuAOOAs
FOretOld Scandal.
Mr.. Slattery has been prophetic.
He predicted what would happen
to FAN. The following are excerpts
from a speech made nearly two
years ago by Mr.. Slattery before
the National Popular Government
League:
"Now, my friends, there is an
other gentleman who says he is a
friend Of the forest service, q friend
of forestry, a friend Of conserva'
ton.
II realize he is a high Cabinet
minister of this Government, but
he has got a record-he has a
background which shows where he
stands on some Of these things
and l say If Secretary Fall Is
conservationist, then Il think we
ought to give the palm and laurei
to a predecessor Of his, Mr.. Bal
linger.
'"There are large interests al
work, gentlemen, who look from the
outside with greedy eyes at this
great property, the greatest re-
sources controlled by probably any
government in the world today
about 156, 600, 900 acres Of inestima
able wealth in timber, mineral de-
posits, water power and other re-
sources. I know something Of these
fights, and l say Secretary Fall Ii
not a conservationist unless he has
had a recent conversion compar
able to that Of the Apostle Paul.
Questioned Stewardship.
"Now 1 think Mr.. Fall will be
asked a few questions about his
stewardship before Congress gets
through with this transfer scheme
And one of these questions will be
about leasing the oil lands in the
naval reserve No. / in California to
q subsidiary of the Mexican Petro
leum--a Doheny interest"
What is 1t WORTH" said a voice
in the audience.
"It is impossible to estimate, but
1t Is worth millions" said Mr., Slat
terry, land it was reserved for the