San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-08
LEASE PRObERS
!. HEAR SENATOR
MAKE DEN|ALS
Curtis Says Some Of Ben
nett's Statements Were
Not True.
APPEARS VOLUNTARILY
Declares He Is Not "Prin-
cipal" Referred to
in Wires.
APPEARS VOLUNTARILY

washington, Marcn Ex-senator
Curtis, Kansas, the assistant Repub
lican leader, took the witness StanC
voluntarily before the oil committe,
today and denied under oath some OF
the statements made about him yes
terday i'll the testimony of Ira F.
Bennett, an editorial writer for the
Washington Post.
The Kansas senator declared that
some of the conversations described
by Bennett never took place, that he
had performed no services for Edward
Il. Mclean like those attributed IL
bim by Bennett. and that there was
absolutely no ground for attempting
ito link him with the mysterious
principal" mentioned in one of Ben
nett's kilograms 10 Mclean.
Bennett was recalled to the stand
ana made further statements concern
ing his conversations with Senator
Curtis. He declared that apparently
Senator Curtis has forgotten one, and
possibly two. additional conversations
i had wit hhim."
Pressed as TO these conversations he
was unwilling TO answer about them
as they were somewhat personal"
The committee vO,ed unanimously that
he should answer and he proceeded
with his testimony.
+. S. Rochester. employed in the
office of Attorney General Daugherty,
was questioned about his telegram to
Mclean of January 16, saying investi-
CATION was being made of McLean's
financial affairs. in reference to his
testimony about the 100000 in
checks.
Francis T. Homer of Baltimore took
the stand and denied the statement in
one of McLean's kilograms that he
had suggested a direct wire between
Washington and the Mclean cottage
at Palm Beach TO give quick and easy
access 10 the White House."
Curtis Appears Voluntarily.
Senator Curtis after comforting
moment with Senator Walsh. took the
stand as the first witness. He said
he had read newspaper reports con-
) cerning Benefits testimony. He saw
Bennett and John Major. he said, OIL
Lean desired to be relieved" from
testifying before the oil committee TO.
reasons of health.
They asked him to see Senator
Walsh.
Senator Curtis said he suggested 70
them they had better see some one
on the other side" mentioning Sena-
tors Underwood, Alabama, and Rob-
inson. Arkansas. Next day Senator
Curtis said he learned subpoena
had already been issued for Mclean.
The next time he saw Bennett,
Senator Curtis proceeded, it was be-
cause Senator Norris had mentioned
zone of the members of the Mclean
family" in a Senate speech, and Ben
nett desired this speech withdrawn
from the Congressional Record.
Senator Curtis said that he and
Senator Borah. Republican, Idaho,
bad already taken up successfully the
matter of getting Senator Norris TO
withdraw the remarks. He had
talked with Senator Walsh in the
matter as well.
Bennett tried to thank Senator
Curtis, the latter said, but he told
him it would be better to have Nc
Lean wire thanks to Borah and
Walsh.
Didn't Remember Discussion.
Senator Walsh questioning, re-
marked that the Norris speech was
made on January 30, the day after
the principal" telegram was sent.
Asked if he remembered any discus
sion with Bennett as to political ef-
fects Of the oil inquiry, Senator Cur
It's replied:
II do not"
No other committee members de-
sired to question the senator and he
was excused.
Bennett took the stand and Sena-
tor Walsh asked il he desired TO make
any further statement lin view of the
statement just made by Senator Cur
It's"
The witness said Senator Curtis
had apparently forgotten one con-
versation he had with me, if not
two"
What be says, so far as he states,
Of our conversations, Bennett add
ID, ais entirely correct"
- He had seen him number of
I times, Bennett continued, but added,
lit is not strange he has forgotten
the conversations.
When Senator Dill, Democrat.
Washington. suggested lit would be
: well to relate the conversations"
Z Bennett said:
Does Not Spread Scandal,
"There are some parts OF the con-
5 versatious / would rather not dis
cuss. j DO not spread any scandal.
] won't do it unless l am compelled"
Senator Walsh suggested a vote of
z the committee. Senator Stanficld.
Republican. Oregon, asked If the mat
fer was relevant and Bennett said it
. had political relationship" TO the in
. CURRY.
The committee having voted 70 di.
, rect Bennett to answer, he said tic
] conversation dealt with the policy of
the Washington Post as to whether
il should be non-committal and pub
. lish nothing but the reports COM
ing in"
Senator Curtis. he said, had been
"very kind to advise" and that
Through Mr.. Mclean and myself, ="
the effect Of the advice had been to
get everything official" published.
. He added that there had been an elm
ination OF "scandalous matter"
Senator Bursum, Republican. New
Mexico, asked if anyone nau sug-
gested that the Post withhold pub
LEGATION of "authentic news" and
|. Bennett qualified his answer.
y