The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-18
COMMITTEE RESTS
 SUBJECT TO CALI
Indictment Completely Negatived, Is Comment
 Of Caraway
MEETING DESCRIBED
 BY STAR WITN E S 6
Conference Related To Private Business Matter, Booth
 Testifies
By THONIAS L. STOKES

(Leased Wire to The Age-HeraldD
 WASHINGTON, April 17.-After a day of corroborating testimony from q series of witnesses, the Borah commit- tee closed is first session without evi- dence to substantiate the charge brought against Senator Wheeler of Montana, that he used his influence to obtain oil and gas permits from the interior department.
 Following one another on the stand, Gordon Campbell. who was indicted with Wheeler; James H. Baldwin, the senator's law partner, and Edwin s. Booth, former solicitor of the interior 1, department, testified under oath that Wheeler had never appeared before the interior department in connection with any leases or permits
 Campbell, an independent oil opera tor in Montana, and Baldwin declared that the firm of Wheeler & Baldwin had been engaged by Campbell solely for litigation in Montana courts. Booth corrOborated the testimony of Campbell that Wheeler had arranged a meeting between him and Campbell in regard to oil lands, but declared that the Montana senator had never appear ed at the department in connection with the oil mans business.
 Committee Is Adjourned
 Senator Borah of Idaho, chairman, adjourned the committee Subject to call," saying that the attention of sem ators would be required in immigration legislation pending before the Senate. Though declining to comment regarding the days testimony, Borah remarked significantly regarding Wheeler's arv engagement of a. conference for Camp bell at the interior department that we western senators have to run down to some of the departments every day on some matter for our eonstituents.'
 This first days testimony certainly negatives everything contained in the indictment" Senator Caraway Of Ar kansas. democrat, a member of the committee, declared afterward.
 The testimony of Booth, regarded as the star witness" was considered the most important of the day, as he was the representative of the interior de- pertinent with whom any influence would be used, and had known Wheel CT for 20 years. He described the con ference at his office in the interior department with Wheeler, which he fixed about the middle of March, 1923"
 Conference Is Described
 Wheeler told him, he said, that Cor don Campbell's properties were in a bad condition, and that he desired to help him. The senator told him, Booth said. that Campbell had some oil lands in Montana. but on inquiry Wheeler answered that he did not know where they were. or what the serial numbers were. Wheeler then asked him. Booth said. if he would see Campbell when he came to Washington. Booth told him he would. The senator also asked him, Booth said, to arrange someone to finance Campbell's properties.
 On a question from Senator Borah, Booth said that this had nothing what ever to do with the oil lands, but was an outside private business matter" in which Wheeler asked his assistance as friend. Wheeler never returned to his office. leaving soon afterward for abroad, Booth said, and declared that the senator had never appeared be- fore the department or solicited aid in the cases.
 Booth said he had conference with Campbell and took up his cases with him, and advised him to get q lawyer here who was familiar with department affairs, and suggested one. That was the last he had seen of the oil opera tor. he stated, until he met him at the capitol Thursday. Booth is now a so- licitOr in the department of justice, having left the interior department last year.
 Campbell tod Or wiring Wheeler about a month ago asking the senator to see if the interior department could stop bank which was about to fore close on him and have the casing pulled out of an oil well on government land.
 Telegram Is Read
 BOrah then read a telegram, identi. fled by Campbell as Wheeler's reply.
 Have taken up matter with depart ment," it said. Am advised govern ment can not intervene"
 Campbell, appearing before Booth took the stand, told of Wheeler ar ranging the conference for him with