San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-23
CONGRESS DEMORAL1ZED

Hne american people are not likely
. be greatly impressed by that part of
Harry F. Sinclairs recent formal state
ment In which he said he was "con-
WINGED" that with full disclosure and
understanding of the facts about the
Teapot Dome lease would come realiza
ton that there was nothing irregular in
the transaction. Perhaps the president
OF the Mammoth Oil Company chose an
unfortunate word; the satirically dis
posed might want to know why It was
necessary for him to be Convinced" and
who did the Convincing"
As 4 matter Of absolute knowledge
the public is unaware of the exact de-
tails of the deal. Even so. not only the
testimony that has been given, but the
very circumstances under which the lease
was made. could not but put an ugly
aspect upon tho entire matter.
But though Mr.. Sinclair and others
will have to do considerable explaining
if they are to convince the American
people that there was nothing wrong
about the Teapot Dome deal, he incor-
ported in his formal statement an ex-
preston which might creditably rep
resent, and which probably does repre-
sent, the average citizens feeling in re-
lation to the proceedings that have
marked the development of the scandal
1T Is great relief" Mr. Sinclair is
quoted as saying, "that the Teapot Dome
controversy has at last been transferred
70 . court of justice" This refers to
the appointment of receivers pending the
outcome Of the governments suit to an
null o. revoke the lease, and seems to
relate only to the civil features of the
controversy as a whole. However, it
, implies a measure of disgust regarding
the methods employed by some of the
congressional investigators. With such
feeling perhaps most American lay
men would be in sympathy, if they did
not entertain it originally on their own
account.
Not that any Intelligent person might
have reason for Directing to the dis
closing of any possible irregularities
through congressional investigation. 1t
is not only a right of Congress, but its
duty, to uncover rottenness in govern
q mental dlldlIS. DuI SUCH INVESTIGATIONS
should be dignified and on a common
sense basis. They should not be used
to demoralize the entire legislative sys-
tenn of the nation. Justice has little
chance when such situation obtains
1 It is quite evident that the Teapot
{ Dome investigation has seriously inter
fered with the proper functioning OF the
legislative branch of the government
Some of the investigators have been act
ing like newly beheaded chickens-flop-
! ping around to no purpose. The re-
flexes of these lawmakers since the Tea
pot Dome deal became an issue have
been fitful in high degree. An atmos-
phere of unreasoned, seemingly unin,
4, telligent suspicion has pervaded Con,
. gress. Rumors, many of them of The
I, widest variety, have multiplied rapidly
. and been given serious credence. Some
: of the Investigators have allowed them
{, selves to be taken in" by obviously If
responsible persons bent upon creating I
stencil by baseless insinuations and per
nicious innuendoes. As an inevitable
consequence, important legislative mat
tiers in other fields have been neglected
In quantity, if not in quality, Their,
Eas ample evidence TO warrant cour
proceedings shortly after the investiga
ton got under way. No disservice, bu
rather the maximum of genuine service
might have been rendered If in addi