New Britain herald., 1924-03-14
PERSONS AND POLICIES.

The stories concerning the alleged improper activities of Attorney Gen eral Daugherty make interesting read ing. but as far IS they affect the man himself, it will make little difference whether or not they are shown to be true. Attorney General Daugherty will not occupy that position for any great length of time. entirely aside from the present disclosures. Never, in the opinion Of the public, has he measured up 10 the standard or the United States Attorney Generalsllip. But the investigation is of importance as indicating leads at the end Of which may be found other officials or men who would be officials. False accusations; yelled insinuations there are. but there is too much emphasis being laid on the impropriety of these rumors; If they lead to a well-founded charge against anyone now in public life, they will have been justified. The innocent will not suffer; the reaction in favor Of them will even strengthen their positions. The important mat ter now is to run down the clues be- ing laid bare, no matter where they lead. It is . good time 10 give n warning to men who take their off cial positions lightly.
 But more important than the fate of the individuals involved, is tho dis. closure of how the policies of the ad- ministration have been carried out; and just what those policies were. Sufficient evidence has appeared, for instance, to show that there was mol the proper understanding Of the granting Of the oil leases If tlsy were granted through fraud, quite naturally the terms of such leases would be in favor of the grantees, On this ground alone 1t would bc wcil 10 obtain court decision setting aside the leases in order that thorough in- ! ycstlgation might bc made Of the reasons why the policy of leasing oil property of tho government was adopted. IT the oil in such property ! was being drained from 1t by neigh boring wells, certainly that policy Of leasing the property so that the gov ernment might save if before it went 10 others, through such drainage, is wise. But the terms Of the leases should, Of course, be fair to the gov ernment. The leases under discus sion now, in all probabi give q too small percentage Of the oil to inc United States, and too much to tho interests which have been doing the work of getting the oil 10 the surface and storing some Of il for the gov . trnment. some for tli"mselvcs. Con scryaiion Of our natural resources is certainly wise; but if oil, allowed 10 bc left in the ground. is not con- served but rather fig drained off into the wells Of private concerns, that waste not conservation.
 The loascs will possibly or probably bc set aside as obtained by fraud Or collusion between government officials and the lcsscos. But it is quito prob ablc. also, that if will be deemed rd- 10 make new leases, through open negotiation and bidding, 10 do in Il iuH way what has been done under he cloud Of secrecy. ..s inc Herald pointed out many weeks ago. one 0: tho main questions 10 bc decided is or not the oil was being lost to the United States. The policy 10 be followed is Of far more importance than is the investigation of ihc off, rials who. innocent or guilty. have disclosed their weakness in the places To which thcy were called.