Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-02-11
NOTHING To Do
WITH LEASING
OIL RESERVES
Ex-Secretary of the Treasury
Says Before Senate Oil
Committe Today
POLITICS is HlNTED AT
Democratic Presidential Nonl-
nation Candidate Points to
That in His Testimony
WASHINGTON. Feb. IL

WASHINGTON, Feb. IL
William G. McAdoo, former
secretary Of the treas
ury, and candidate for the Demo-
cratic nomination for President,
emphasized before the senate oil
committee today that his pro-
fessional relations with E. L.
Doheny, recently terminated,
were Gin good faith and had
nothing to do with the leasing
of naval oil reserves.
Appearing at his own request
because of testimony given by
Mr.. Doheny as to his employ
ment in connection with Mexl-
can oil matters, Mr.. McAdoo de-
clared:
"I think it may fairly be pre-
sumed that, if my name was not
prominently mentioned III con
neetion with high office, MY prl-
vate practice as a lawyer would
be of no interest TO this commit
tee or to the public"
Asserting that "the faith of the
people in their own government is
shaken" because of developments IN
the oil inquiry. he declared this
question transcends political parties
and partisan considerations. and
that ..the first duty, the imperative
duty of the hour, is mercilessly to
uncover and to bring to public view
and scorn and punishment everyone
who has betrayed the public trust or
who has been guilty of wrongdoing
in this humiliating and dangerous
affair."
SIT would be a crime against the
public" he said, "if the dragging OF
innocent people into this affair
should divert attention from tue
guilty to prevent the discovery ol
those who have betrayed the pubic
interest ). ~.
His statement, which was In the
nature of an elaboration of his re-
cent letter to Chairman Lenroot OF
tbe committee dealing with his SER
vices, as counsel to the Doheny
Companies, follows;
IT am informed by your chairman
that already there has been inserted
in the record the letter addressed
TO him on February Z. 1924. setting
forth in detail the facts concerning
The professional services rendered ny
my former law firm in New orK'
AIessrs. McAdoo, Cotton 49, franH-
lin, and subsequently by myself IN
Los Angeles. in connection with tnc
Mexican properties OF Mr.. Doilehy
cmpanics. It is clearly shown In my
letter and in the testimony before
the committee that neither they nor
T have had any relation whatever TO
tbe leases made of the Teapot Dome
ana California Naval oil leases. But
+ have sought the privilege OF ap-
nearing before you in person Tor the
nnrpose of contributing in any way
in nav mower as a private 'citizen TO
the objects of this inquiry.
..It has been assumed that hon-
orablv conducted law PRACTICE OF
citizen holding no public Office is not
ordinarily a subject of congressionai
inquiry. / think it may fairly pc
presumed that IL my name was not
prominently mentioned in connec-
ton with high office. my prlVlte
pra.,tice as lawyer would be oil
NO lTtPTESI W lltio OOifiAhhANec~
the public. Whether or not it has
heen drawn into this inquiry to
serve a partisan political purpose
ha country will Judge
ait would be a crime against the
public If the dragging of innocent
neonIe into this affair should divert
attention from the guilty or prevent
the discovery of those who have be-
trnved the public interest. The
whole country is shocked and APP
palled by what has been revealed in
this Investigation. The fact that a
former cahin-. officer of this ad-
ministration is already sravely in
volved. has raised a strong suspicion
In the public mind that others may
be guilty. The faith OF the people in
their own government is shakea and
the damaging effects upon public
morsle are SO grave that the se-
curity of democratic institutions is
fCoutinued on Page ~
Dodge watercar--on disnlay. Frank