Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-03-08
SENATOR CURTIS
FACES ACCUSER.
IN OIL PROBE
Kansas Senator Comes Vol
unfairly Before Committee
to Refute Benefits Story
"PRlNCIPAL" TELEGRAM
Denies Several Features OF
Testimony Given at Yes
terday's Oil Hearing

WASHINGTON, March S-Sena-
tor Curtis, of Kansas, assistant Re-
publican leader in the senate, came
Voluntarily today before the oil
committee to refute the testimony of
Ira E. Bennett, that he was the per-
son referred to in the ceebrated
principal telegram.
This telegram sent by Bennett on
January 20 to his employer, Edward
b. Mclean, publisher of the Wash-
the oil disclosures said that Bennett
the oil disclosures, said that Bennett
had seen the principal and added
there would be mo rocking OF the
bo.t nd no designations" but that
a reaction was expected from un-
warranted political attacks.
The Kansas senator, the first
member of the senate to take the
witness stand, was orn and imme-
diately began an oral statement to
the committee similar to that he is
sued yesterday in denial of several
features of Benefits testimony.
Early in January, the senator said,
Bennett introduced to him John r..
Major, another of McLean's men,
who asked him to see Senator Walsh
and find out if the committee would
not take a statement from the pub
Usher instead of calling him here to
testify.
Senator Curtis continued that he
suggested that they ask some DEM
ocrat, Senator Underwood or Robin
son about the matter. He added that
he said he could speak to Chairman
Lenroot.
Later the same day. Senator Cur
tis said, he saw Senator Underwood
in the senate chamber and was in
formed subpoena for Mclean had
been issued.
So far as he could recall, Senator
Curtis did not see Bennett again un-
til the day Senator Norris, Repub-
lican, Nebraska, made a speech
mentioning a member of McLean's
family. That was on January 80. the
day after the principal" telegram
was sent.
Senator Curtis he went on, TAP
parently has forgotten one and prob
ably two additional conversations
had with him.
Bennett said he did not want to
relate the conversations as they were
somewhat personal.
Pressed as to the conversations,
compelled to, as he did not want to
spi cad scandal"
II hope we won't have any mys-
terry about it, said Senator Walsh.
go on, tell us about it,
Bennett again refused unless COM
relied to do so, and the committee
voted unanimously that he should
answer.
The witness then testified that
Senator Curtis he<1 been asked for
advice as 10 what the policy of the
Post should be with regard to pub
fishing matters concerning the oil
inquiry.
On the day OF the Norris address,
Bennett came to Curtis with refer
ence to having Senator Norris withs
draw his remarks.
Before that, Senator Curtis testi'
fled, he already had suggested to
Senator Norris that the remarks be
expunged from the record. Later
he saw Bennett in the lobby and
told him the statements would be
withdrawn.
Senator Curtis fatty denied that
Bennett mad delivered any message
to him from Mclean.
He added that he had not talked
poets of the oil industry.
Bennett then was recalled and
asked If he cared to make any fur
ther statement.
Certainly, was the answer.
Later Bennett testified that Sem
ator Curtis had advised President
Coolidge Immediately after he came
into office to ask Attorney General
Daugherty to resign.
Senator Curtis again taking the
stand saiC that in December he had
told President Coolidge that II
thought he would have to look for
a new attorney general in a few
months as Ir. Daugherty was sick. !"
The Kansas senator declared em-
phatically however, he had never
talked to Bennett as he had claimed
as to the conduct of the Post in
the oil case either directly or indi-
Irectly"