New Britain herald., 1924-01-31
'BRANDEGEE OPPOSES
 WALSH RESOLUTION.
Objects to Language, But Not to Nullifying Oil Le Con,
 - 1adFt. RYITI,AJNS uIc hartf
Votes With Regular Republicans and
 Is Beaten On Three Amendments Mclean Also Stands By Administra- fion.
BY. GEORGE II. MANNING

| IL. | Washington Bureau of N. B. Herald) Washington, Jan. 31.-Institution
 of suit by the government for can
 cellation Of the leases of the naval oil
 reserves made by former Secretary 1 Fall as provided in the Walsh resolu- tion now before the senate, is favored
 by Senator Frank B. Brandegee of I Connecticut N
 In stating his hsition to the sen- ate, however, Schator Brandegee stressed the point that he was oppos-
 ed to the language of certain sections of the Walsh resolution, which states as a preamble that the oil leases were entered into apparently contrary to law and In defiance of the policy of the government. These matters, the senator insisted, were judicial ques- tions and should properly be decided
 by the court.
 For this reason, Senator Brandegee voted with the regular republicans on each of the three attempts made to amend the language of the preamble to the resolution. Senator Mclean voted with Brandegee on each occa- sion. Each amendment. was lost, however, by practically the same vote. the democrats and progressive repub- licans lining up solidly in support of the wording of the original resolution.
 The vote on the three amendments, which were regarded as test votes on
 the sentiment of the senate with re- gard to the resolution were, 46-Ss; 47-37: and 4s-37. Inasmuch as several
 lA foaf ator Brandegee announced that they were in favor of the general purpose of the resolution, however, it is ex- pected that the measure itself will be passed today by a large majority than by which the amendments were lost
 "I am in hearty accord with the body of the resolution directing the president to institute suit for thasean- cellation of these leases; and. of course, that suit cannot result success fully to the government unless the courts find the leases were illegal" declared Senator Brandegee.
 ''The senator from Montana, Mir. Walsh, author of the joint resolution. as I remember in his opening address on this subject, said that the question of whether{ the leases were leEsn or illegal wcsea judicial question, and heartily agree with him on that I do not think congress. which is a Legislative body. has any moro au- tiiority to determine the legality of contract than the board of alderman l of a city would have. It presents a l judicial question:: and while I am i cordially in favor of doing everything i I can to aid the president successfully i to have that question decided in the | proper tribunal, and am therefore in | favor of the body of the resolution. I | think tho preamble embodied in the 'whercascs' is very unfortunately | and 1 do not think it repre- sonts the true situation in some re- spects.
 "1nasmuch, however as the pream- ble Of resolution is not the essential part of it, but merely declaratory," continued Senator Brandegco "and will be considered simply to be the sense of the senate, I apprehend. and no attention at all will be given to it by .ny one if it presumss to come to a judicial decision, l shall vote for the resolution"