The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-26
CORRUPTIQNNOT
 TENTH EXPOSED,
 DECLARES REED
Missourian, Opening Cam paign, Takes Up Oil
 Scandal And McAdOO

ST. LOUIS. Feb. 25-(By Associa- ted Press. Limited States Senator James A. Reed in formally opening his campaign for the democratic presiden tial nomination, declared that in his opinion not one one-tenth of corruption which has existed has been laid bare in referring to the oil disclosures.
 He charged William Gibbs McAdoo, former Secretary of the Treasury, and an opponent for the nomination, is expected to receive $1,094, ,OOO in "le- gal fees" from E. l.. Doheny, oil magnate. the Charles Morse interests, and motion picture concerns. although he did not appear in single law suit"
 The senator reviewed the oil scandal and said the disclosures warranted him in saying that the people of the United States were, by bribery, de- prived of these great oil deposits up- on which the nation must rely in the hour of extremity.
 Facts are being constantly exposed, and when the whole foul mess is known the American people will be convinced of the supreme necessity of purging the government and driving from power every tainted man.
 ''.rhe evidence thus far taken in- wolves the Attorney General to a cer- tain degree, and his department will be ,risidly investigated.
 Sees Lower Moral Standards "The condition of rottenness which is already exposed is only possible where there has been a grave lowering of moral and menacing growth" +r But McAdoo called his cohorts to- rynfh cnIo nI, He submitted to them, to their deci- sion, the question:
 "'Am I an asset or liability He admitted substantially all that Doheny had said except that he insisted he only got S150.000 from Doheny in- stead of $250,000 as Doheny had said. And, thereupon, for no other apparent 7 reason than that the amount had been reduced, these distinguished gentlemen set up paen of praise for McAdoo. They declared that he stood exculpated, that he was washed as white as snow. Ut was the size of the fee not its character.
 "December 12, 1923, MT. Doheny ap- peared before the Senate committee, At that time he disclosed the immense value of the oil deposits he was claim Ing and the unfair nature of the con- tract with the government. Among other things, he admitted that the gov ernment had paid to him 4.50O,OOO barrels of oil for building tanks that would only hold 100000 barrels of oil. Doheny has also admitted that he expects to make $100,O0O,OOO from the transaction.
 But, notwithstanding these dis closures, Mir. McAdoo did not then resign.
 Calls It Bribe Money 'On January 24, 1924, Doheny again appeared and admitted that he had paid Fall $100,000. This was the bribe money. of which you have heard so much He admitted that the money had been carried from New York in grip and secretly turned over to Fall.
 Yet, with this exposure blazoned to the entire country, MT. McAdoo held on to his retainer and kept his em- ployment.
 .'On February 1. Doheny was com pclled to disclose the fact that he had employed Mir. McAdoo. It was not un- til Mir. McAdoo's connection was shown, and the eat was out of the bag that Mr. McAdOo was seized by a spasm of virtue and resigned.
 Not single important fact was dis closed at this hearing except that of Mr. McAdoos employment. The sole reason he quit, therefore, was because his employment had been known.
 Some of you may play poker. state it merely upon information and belief that there is an old poker rule 1:
 Anybody caught cheating has got to quit the game"