The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-11
CONTINUED from First Page)

Continued from First Page)
Angeles, in connection with the
Mexican properties Of Mr.. Doheny's
companies
and In the testimony befors the
committee that neither they nor !
have had any relation whatever to
the leases made Of the Teapot
Dome and Naval Reserve. There
q. therefore, nothing more TO be
aAid on that score. But ! n;tve
Wolight the privilege of appearing
hef6ra Won IN person for the pur-
nOae of contributing in any way
In INV mower as a private citizen
10 the objects of this inquiry.
HonOrable Law Practice
1T has been assumed that hon.
Orably conducted law pracice OF q
citizen: holding no public office Is
NOT ordinarily o subject OF Congress
Rional inquiry. I think 1t may be
fairly be presumed that If my name
was not prominently mentioned IN
connection with high office, my
private practice as lawyer woulo
Be OF no interest to this COMMITTEES
or to the public.
Whether or not is has been drawn
into this inquiry to serve partl-
ran political. purpose, the country
viii judge. A..
"It would be a crime against the
public II the dragging Of innocent
neonle into this affair should di.
vert attention from the guilty or
prevent. the discovery Of those who
have betrayed the public interest.
The whole country IS shocked and
appalled, by what has been revealed
in this investigation.
ssThe fact that a former Cabinet
officer of this administration 10 al
ready gravely involved has raised
a strong suspicion in the public
mind that others may be guilty.
Peoples Faith Shaken
The faith Of. the people in their
own Government Is shaken and
the. damaging effects upon: public
morals are 40 grave that the Sc
curity Of Democratic institutions IS
seriously irnperilled., The first duty,
the imperative. duty of the hour,
n mercilessly to-. uncover and to
bring 90 public view and scorn and
punishment every one who has be,
trayed the public trust or who has
been guilty Of, wrongdoing in this
humiliating and dangerous affair.
'This question transcends politi-
cal parties and partisan considera-
tons. Clean and incorruptible gov;
eminent is vital not alone, to Re-
publicans and Democrats, but to
every citizen. For my part. l. am
eager to see partiSanship stilled IN
the faea of so grave a danger TO
otir COMMON country
att should be an inspiration to
zee men and women in private life
and partisans Of all parties In pub
tic life united as they were in the
great war, in q common effort to
destroy corruption and to bring
the Government back to honesty.
Explains Mexicans Task.
~ should like to- supplement my
aestr- Of February z, with some OF
the reasons that prevailed upon me
60 represent Mr.. Doheny's com.
panies professionally In his Mex1-
can difficulties.
"Article 81 of the Mexican con-
wtitution Of May /, 1917, was an
attempt to assert ownership by the
Mexican government in the mineral
deposits Of the sub-surface OF lands
M On0N1COs ~ bAAI6 OLA SASAO obAOOA0
be given retroactive effect it would
result In the confiscation Of prop
critics Of American citizens lawfully
acquired prior to the adoption Of
that constitution
''TEfs presented a grave situation
Cor American property rights in
Mexico-so grave, in fact, that the
Wilson Administration in April z,
1919, through Ambassador Fletcher,
at Mexico City, filed a solemn pro:
test against it.
This attitude was consistently
maintained by the Wilson admins
tration throughout its life. When
the Harding administration came
IN Secretary Hughes adopted the
same policy.
This policy was insisted upon
by the American Commissioners to
Mexico, Messrs. Warren and Payne
and, as I understand it. was prac.
tically made a condition Of recog.
milton of Mexico by the United
States.
During the year 1918, was
Director General of the railroads
Of the United States. The fuel
problem was one of the most
serious with which we had to deal.
Realized Fuel Problems.
IT was then made to realize
keenly the tremendous Importance
Of fuel oil from Mexico. A great
number Of American industries
along the Atlantic Seaboard were
dependent upon Mexican fuel oil
1.-THE preservation Of this fuel oil
supply was then and Is now essen
tial to our international economy
Not alone Is this true, but the
question Of an adequate oil supply
and of an adequate oil reserve Is
one Of the most important for any
nation under condition Of modern
warfare. In fact the crucial test
tn the next year, IL one should
come, Is going to be not alone
war machinery and appliances, but
control Of an adequate supply OF
s---------------------- --~-------------