The Washington times., 1924-02-05

likewise were reluctant 70 o1scu 50
any possible plans that were unier
consideration for further throwing
the Senatorial spotlight on tue oil
reserve scandal.
There was every where an air Of
secrecy, members even refusing TO
tell Just for whom subpoenas have
been issued or for whom sum-
monses wee contemplated.
Sensation Reports.
Information has been called to
the attention Of the committee that
one member of the committee it.
self and a former official who was
close to the Administration Of the
late President Harding were ''in
the know" and profited financially
by dealing in Sinclair stock before
the announcement Of the lease of
Teapot Dome to Harry F. Sinclair
by ex-Secretary Sof Interior Albert
B. Fall was made public.
Numerous stock brokers have been
summoned to be on hand, includ-
ing Carl P. Biggerman, Of the
Chase National Bank, New York;
Samuel Ungerleider, of Cleveland:
w. B. Hibbs, of Eibbs q Co., Wash.
lngton, and James Sloan, former
White House Secret Service man
and Washington agent Of the Un-
gerleider Company.
AS the committee planned only a
short session, out Of respect to the
memory of Woodrow Wilson, only
Biggerman was expected to take
the witness stand today. He was
asked to bring any rcords that
might throw light on financial deals
Of Sinclair and his personal attor.
ney, Col. J. w. Zevely, between
September 1. 1921, and June /.
1923.
Seek Washington Remittances.
The committee particularly de.
sired to know whether the Chase
Bank has any records relating tn
rernittances by Sinclair and Zevely
from that bank to any bank in
Washington.
The prime object of the meeting
today was to determine whether all
the brokers, for whom subpoenas
have been out since last Saturday,
were ready to testify. After re-
porting. the committee was ex-
pected to excuse them, subject to
recall at any time.
AS the committee will ask the
Senate Thursday for reaffirmation
of its authority to conduct the oil
probe. challenged by Fall, the for
mer Secretary. has been directed to
appear Friday for further examina-
ton.
Fall To Stand Pat.
Falls counsel intimated today
that he would remain firm in his
decision not to answer questions of
the committee, basing his chief OBJ
lection on the grounds that such
testimony might incriminate him
when the oil cases are carried to
court by the special counsel, Silas
H. Strawn and Atlee Pomerene.
In that event, the committee ID
known to be ready to start con.
tempt proceedings Immediately to
compel him to answer on penalty
Of going to Jail, provided under
Federal statutes.
Should that course bo adopted q
long drawn out legal battle likely
would ensue, said to be the precise
procedure that FAN himself desires.
Moves By Counsel.
With all the evidence taken by
the committee already In their
hands, Strawn and Pomerene are
expected to make the first definite
move in the Governments oil cases
late this week or by Monday or
Tuesday of next week.
This first step will be the filing
Of injunction suits to prevent Sin
clair and r. L. Doheny from fur.
ther extracting oil from Teapot
Dome or Elk Hills naval reserves,
as directed in the Walsh resolu'
ton.
The special counsel, after confer
onces with officials of the De-
partment Of Justice and with as
sistants, have not yet determined
definitely whether the injunctions
will be sought in the District or
Columbia or in Western courts.
As the leases were executed here,
and as headquarters will be main.
tanned in Washington, 1t was con-
sidered most probable that the in
functions would be asked from the
District Of Columbia court.
Accounts OF the Federal Trade
Commission, selected by Senators
Smoot Rep.), OF Utah, and Walsh
(Dem) of Montana, to examine
books of local stock brokers cover.
ing the nerioda during which fhA