Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-27
NOT A CAUSE FOR EMULATION

the Journal, accompanied by clip
ping from another paper approving
McAdoo's connection with the Oil In
terests. This was followed by COM
ment Of the writer OF the card advis-
ing the editor that: Its putrid Re-
publican mess--no wonder you're
sore. But cheer up. the worst Is yet
to come" The card bore as sigma
ture. M. L."
Now the writer need not have been
30 chary Of bis name. Possibly.
however. he may have been conscious
of the impression his words would
give. a suggestion that he was ex-
ulting over a situation which IL de-
plorable--or should be so considered
by every American citizen sensitive
10 n stain on any official connected
with the government OF his country.
1t is safe to say that II all regarded
II as n matter to be cleaned up as
thoroughly and quickly as possible
we would have been we'll along
toward that end: VIC would have
avoided the hysteria which accom-
ranios It.; Congress would have OPP
portunity to get some of its work
done. on the contrary IL Is being
used In a political game. The thought
which appears uppermost In the
minds of those participating seems
to be how most cOnspicuously to
rth Col
from getting spattcred.
Tho Journal has not accused Nc
hdoo OF deriving profit from the Oil
lease. lie was treated with marked
courtesy at the hearing. which he re-
quested. He has told of the fat fees
lie received and OF the promise OF
million dollars If he might secure
certain favors from the Mexican SOW
crnmcnt " hen he took over this
work he was fresh from the councils
OF tho administration then in power
and ordinary common sense Will de-
eide that the value of his services
to tho oil interests was due rather
to the connection he had with. gov
crnmental affairs than because of his
legal attainmcnts. But he is not the
only ono to seek profit under like
conditions. Nor are such seekers
confined to any one party. Neither
will It do any party any good to
claim otherwise. And IL may occur
TO some that possibly the Mexican
L., tn
than it has received when oil inter
csts were as willing to spend huge
sums for favor In that country. as
appears from that promise of mill
lion from Doheny. who. by the way is
Democrat.
The writer of the post card appears
to b. at one with Chairman Hull of
the Democratic national committee.
the leasing OF the oil reserves was
footing the public domain" Chair
man Adams of the Republican ma
tional committee reminds the public
that Senator Thomas J. Walsh. him
self. Joseplus Daniels when secre-
tary Of the navy and John Barton
Payne paved the way to the leases or
Teapot Dome and Elk Hills: that
Walsh fathercd the act which gave
the secretary of the navy and the
secretary OF the interior the power
TO make the leases, that the section
empowering them was written by
i.>l. f,or ~ ct
wanted the power to do just what
later DENLY did.
II So would seem that il there is
something inherently wrong with this
method of leasing the Democrats are,
so Tar as that goes. rs deep in the
mud as the Republicans are In the
mirc
As matter of fact it is not yet
proven that the method was inher-
entity wrong or that 1t wasn't the
most practical method. We have no
suspicion that the Democrats who
proposed II did SO for the purpose OF
footing the public domain" but be-
cause they thought such an arrange
mcnt sensible. We have no doubt
DENLY was actuated by a like opin-
ion and we are by no means sure the
final showdown will not convince the
country that this opinion was the
practical one.
Secretary Fall was Republican
official. Even IL II be found that his
approval Of the lease was sensible,
what he is supposed to have re-
ceived in consequence places his
motive under grave suspicion. But
II proven guilty of all that he is sus-
pectcd. that really is a flimsy preteN'
en- which to hang Democratic hopes
ii seems TO us. We would not de-
prive M. l." of his manifest exulta
ton but It does seem n pretty narrow
and partisan view Of the situation
II the country really is to profit from
cleaning house" it will be necessar,
to have 4 broader view OF the mat
ter. The hysteria now being exhibi-
, ted-and cultivated-is anything bu'
creditable 10 the country. We wonder
whether the panic producers aren''
raising the cry of stop thief" hop
ing under cover OF the excitement t
set away with some plumber
1t is gratifying to most of us-w,
rust this Is inclusive Of M. L.