The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Demand Quick Action


 The cry for action came with swift climax at the end of the day. Walsh, moving spirit in the oil scandal in- quiry, called for Denby's resignation before sun down. LaFollette sat with resolution in his pocket calling for the resignations of both Denby and Daugherty. Robinson, minority leader, hurriedly prepared and offered a reso- lution asking for the immediate resig- nations of Denby and officers and of- flclals in the navy department who ap- proved the leases-a provision directed at Assistant Secretary Theodore Roose- welt, Rear Admiral Robinson, and other officers Unless the desired resignations come forth voluntarily, he viii call for a vote Tuesday Or Wednesday, and the coalition of democrats and republican insurgents is confident of being able to pass it.
 Coolidge Faces Crisis
 Coolidge stands facing the crisis of his political career. He acted quickly, but even so, his move for appointment of bipartisan counsel. his request for $100,00O appropriation which was granted by the House hurriedly Mon- day, his announced intention to take any action necessary to protect the pub lie interest, all came to late.
 Democrats charged his midnight &C., tion Saturday came only after he learned that this course would be de- manded by the Senate They asked why he has been silent these many months when the oil leases were dis cussed at cabinet meetings which he at- tended as Vice President. His state ment that members of both parties are int h1Nrnh 1n aff AI. I crats their chance to retort that the Harding Coolidge administration alone was responsible for the transactions that only republican officials approved the leases; that by executive order the administration. without consulting Con- gress, signed away the vast oil reserves that had been set aside by Taft to in- sure permanent supply of fuel for the navy.
 Coolidge. the democrats insist. has at. tempted to evade party responsibility for the scandal. He has, tried to run to cover, they say, and now they are determined to hold the republican ad- ministration--not Fall alone-respon- sible for the affair.
 Personal Attacks
 Final debate in the House. just be- fore the resolution was adopted, became bitter at times, reaching down to per sonal attacks, and roars of sarcastic laughter greeted the frequent oratoricaI outbursts
 Representative Longworth. republican floor leader, the last speaker before the vote was taken, censured the democrats for their partisan attitude, then claimed that Secretary of the Navy Daniels, during the Wilson administra- tion, was responsible for the present policy regarding oil lands, on the ground that he had taken the oil lands from the public domain and placed them as oil reserves under the navy depart ment.
 Longworth declared that he was ready to name a democrat connected with the oil leases and that is Edward v l.. Doheny."
 Shouts of sarcastic laughter, pro- longed and uproarious. came from the democratic side at this The repub- lican floor leader then said that Doheny had been presented in the dem. ocrNtic convention in 1920 as can dldate for vice president.
 Representative ByrnSS of South Car olina, democrat. answered that Doheny
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