Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-05
POMERENE PICKED
As PROSE:CUTOR IN
OIL FRAUD CASES
Democrat Leader Named In
stead of Gregory Suits to
Halt Production by Sinclair
Interests Are Prepared

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-While
the senate oil inquiry was brought
to a temporary standstill today by
the refusal of former Secretary Fall
to testify, President Coolidge select
ed Atlee Pomerene, former Demo
cratic senator from Ohio, in place OF
Thomas w. Gregory, to serve as
general counsel with Silas IL.
Strawn in prosecuting the oil lease
cases.
At the same time the ground work
was being laid in the department of
Justice for the institution of injunc-
ton suits to prevent further eXtrac-
ton of oil from California reserve
No. l by the Pan-American Petro'
leum and Transport company and
from the Teapot Dome reserve in
Wyoming by the Mammoth Oil com
pany. Whether these suits will be
brought here or in the states where
the reserves are located has not been
disclosed.
The senate was in recess today,
but the oil middle again got into
house debate as a result of unsuc-
cessful efforts of Representative.
Fish, Republican, New York, to get
action on his resolution that a re-
quest be made of Harry F. Sinclair,
through official channels, to return
to this country from Europe.
Demand for an investigation of the
personal income tax returns of Mr..
Sinclair was made by Representative
LETTERS. Democrat, Alabama, who
told the house he was convinced a
thorough check Of the records would
uncover irregularities, graft, crook
edness and corruption"
Stock Angle Aired
Although the senate committee ex-
amined no witnesses, a number were
on hand today ready to take the
stand. Among them was James
Sloane, Jr., White House attache
in the early days of the Harding adj
ministration, who subsequently be-
came identified with the brokerage
finn Of Ungerleider and company.
Samuel Ungerleider also has been
subpoenaed along with the repre-
sentative of other Washington
brokerage firms.
Mr.. Sloane and Mr.. Underleider
will be called in connection with the
phase of the committee inquiry as
TO whether any governmental Off
Gals had transactions in stock of
the Mammoth Oil company which
was organized by the Sinclair in
terests to take over the Teapot Dome
lease.
A start on this part of the investi-
cation was made today with the as
Signment of three accountants of the
federal trade commission to go
through the books of w. B. Hibbs
d Co, a Washington banking and
brokerage concern. The accountants
are searching for transactions i'll
names in the possession of the SEN
ate oil committee The list is with
held. A similar examination of the
certain oil stocks involving n list of
books of the other brokers is con
templated
None of the cabinet officers in the
Wilson administration who +. H.
Doheny has told the committee were
retained as counsel for his compa-
MES after they retired from office
ha sasked TO be heard by the Gem
mittee as yet. William G. McAdoo.
former secretary of the treasury
and a candidate for the Democratic
presidential nomination, is expected
to request a hearing, however. after
his arrival here from California. AS
sorting that he had received only
$l50,000 in fees instead of the $780,
600 figure given by Mr.. Doheny. Mr..
McAdoo has announced that he will
seek opportunity to testify.
Gregory on Hand
Former Attorney General Gregory
arrived here today from Texas, but
his conference with President Cool
idge was deferred until tomorrow.
The executive definitely made up
his mind yesterday not to retain MIR.
Gregory, who was his first selection
as Democratic counsel, because of
the testimony given bv MIR. Doheny
that Mr.. Gregory had acted as coun-
sci for the island and other Oil
companies.
This decision having been reached,
MIR. Coolidge summoned former Sen
ator Pomerene to Washington, and
had a long conference with him to-
day. During it the president ten
I'dered, Mr.. Pomerene accepted
appointment as special counsel in
the oil cases. Formal announcement
was withheld as the executive desires
to consult with Democratic leaders
IN the senate beforehand.
Announcement in Chicago that Mr..
Strawn's law firm has acted for
the Texas company in Chicago, in
looking after local collections,
brought word from the White House
today that the character of this
service was not regarded as such
that would prove in any way en-
harrasslng to MIR. Strawn in carry
| ing forward the work he already has
undertaken for the government.
Supporting his motion to bring
up his resolution requesting Mr.
Sinclair to return from Europe.
Representative Fish told the house
that without Mr.. SinclairS presence
in the United States. ANY investi.
cation of the Teapot Dome oil lease
or any court action instituted by
President Coolidge would become q
| farce or be indefinitely deIayeG''
Former. Secretary Fall is a bro
/ ken abject creature, perjured by his
| own testoimony and crucified by his
| own conscience, said Mr. Fish. In
/ the eyes of the people he is already
| condemned, even if he could explain
| the difference between loan OF
| 100000 while secretary OF the in.
! terror and a bride. The public Is
| convinced tina the was Seduced BY
/ great wealth in their money mad.
/ ness and arrogance. which stop al
! nothing. even to. setting the torch
10 the very edInce of the cavern
ment.' - =
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