The daily worker., 1924-04-18
Open TRIAL
OF WHEELER
AT CAPITOL
First Witness Denies
Giving Retainer
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(Speciat TO Ine Ddtiy Workef)
WASHINGTON, April IT,
Gordon Campbell of Montana,
today denied before the senate
committee investigating the in
dictment of Senator Wheeler,
Montana, that Wheeler had ever
appeared before the interior de-
partment for him in the capa-
city of paid attorney.
Campbell was indicted with
Wheeler at Great Falls, Mont.
The indictments charged that
Wheeler had Illegally accepted a
retainer from Campbell to rep
resent him before the depart
ment in connection with oil
drilling permits.
Favorable to Wheeler.
Campbell said he had no business
with the department in January or
February, 1923, when Wheeler was
alleged to have received the retain
ers. He said that Wheeler had re
peatedly" told him he could not ap-
pear before any departments for him.
No One Under Charges.
Investigation of the indictment Of
Senator Wheeler, Montana, got under
way today with former Representa-
tive Tom Stout of Montana on the
witness stand.
At the outset Senator Sterling,
South Dakota, suggested that all wit
lnesses waive immunity before testi-
flying, but Chairman Borah said that
none Of them are under charges and
that it was unnecessary.
Borah read into the record the stat
ute which Wheeler was accused Of
violating. It provides that no ges-
ernment official shall accept fees for
representing clients before govern
ment departments.
At his own request Senator Wheel
er, Montana, went con trial" today
before a committee of his colleagues
in the Senate.
Wheeler wants the cloud of the in
dictment returned against him by a
federal grand jury in Great Falls,
Mont, removed so that he can con-
tinue the investigation of former At
torney General Daugherty without
his own fitness as senator being
questioned
Quits as Dausherty Prosecutor.
For the time being Wheeler will
give up his duties as prosecutor Of
the Daugherty investigation to attend
his own trial" The Daugherty in
vestigation will continue, however.
with Chairman Brookhart taking
over the task of examining witnesses.
Gordon Campbell. Montana oil
man, from whom Wheeler is accused
of accepting a retainer to secure oil
leases after becoming senator, prob.
ably will be the first witness today,
Chairman Borah announced.
Call 80. Of j." sIeuth.
Blair Coan, who was subponaed as
an agent of the Department of JUS
tice, altho w. J. Burns, Director of the
bureau of investigation, denied his
connection with the department, will
also be on hand. Wheeler charged
that Coan was employed by George
B. Lockwood, secretary of the Repub-
lican national committee, to investi-
gate his record in Montana
Other witnesses are former Repre-
sentative Tom Stout Of Montana and
James Baldwin, Wheeler's law part
ner, who arrived yesterday in re-
sponse to subpoenas.
Senator McNary, Oregon. will sit
on the committee today in the place
of Senator Mclean, Connecticut, who
resigned because Of the press of 9TH
er work.
Booth Testifies for Wheeler.
Edwin L. Booth, former solicitor
of the interior department, today told
the Senate Committee investigating
the indictment Of Senator Wheeler OF
Montana, that Wheeler had never So
licited any aid for Gordon Campbell,
with whom he was indicted, at the
Interior Department
Booth said that Wheeler had called
on him to ask advice on how to help
Campbell, who was said to be in diff
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