The Washington times., 1924-03-08
Bennett Says Curtis
Advised on Posts
Editorial Oil Policy

was called.
Did you care to make my fur
Their statement" asked Walsh.
Senator Curtis has apparently
forgotten one conversation and prob
ably two had with him. I dc
reiterate I had one conversation and
probably two he doesn't remember
What he said today was absolutely
correct as far as he relates our
Conversations
II don't remember he said to
thank Borah but I know he said
to thank you CWalsh).'
Bennett said he had talked with
Walsh himself about the attack on
'McLean's family"
You said to me, L hadn't heard
Of it, and think the man who
made them should withdraw them
Bennett said.
1.-THE committee would like to
know what you might say about
your talk with Senator Curtis" de-
manded Walsh.
Curtis denies that he had any
conversation with you which could
lead to the Principal kilograms
Walsh added.
HE has forgotten at least one or
two conversations" Bennett replied.
but Senator Curtis has told of
all three conversations" Walsh said
sharply.
Ordered to. Tell All.
There were two conversations he
hasn't referred to-" said Bennett
mysteriously.
But Senator Curtis has said he
didn't see you the day before the
Norris affair and that was the day
you wired Mclean" Walsh insisted.
II saw him a number of times
that he has possibly forgotten
about" Bennett replied. 1T isn't
strange"
Bennett hesitated to relate the
conversations in the other talks he
said he had with Curtis.
Lets not be mysterious. Go
ahead and tell" Walsh shouted.
I'm trying to tell. Personally, I
don't care, but don't want to
spread scandal. Some parts 1 don't
want to talk about. 1 want to save
others. I want you to demand me
to tell"
Before a vote could be taken,
Senator Stanfield R) Of Oregon
asked:
Are these conversations relevant
and material to the inquiry"
'They had a political relationship.
But 1 can't deny 1t was material to
the general subject"
Then, by q unanimous vote, the
committee demanded that Bennett
tell Of the "other conversations"
Advised Editorial Policy.
Where did you have this con.
versation with Mr.. Curtis?''
II had two which he didn't tell
about" said Bennett.
"Where?"
I'm his room in this office build.
Ing"
"Well. tell us now what the COM
mittee has voted you should tell"
said Walsh.
when was this?"
"A day or so before the day I
sent the telegram to Mr.. Mclean"
Bennett then revealed that Curtis
had determined the editorial policy
of the Washington Post toward the
oil scandal. He said. too, that
Curtis suggestions were even car
ried to the handling Of news mat
terS.
II conveyed a message from Mr..
Mclean to Senator Curtis" said
Bennett. 81 had suggested Senator
Curtis on account Of the message
to be conveyed.
Advice Carried Out.
Senator Curtis seemed the most
appropriate man. The message re-
Garded the attitude of the Post. I
told the Senator that Mr.. Mclean
wanted him to advise us on how
the Post should handle the oil mat
ter. Mclean had confidence in his
Judgment and he gave me his
opinion. That opinion has largely
influenced the editorial policy Of
the Post and through Mr.. Spurgeon
managing EDITOR the news in the
Post"
WAS Curtis advice carried out?"
Eyes. he urged to print all the
official news, but not to publish
certain articles"
Denies Other Discussions.
What articles?"
"Scandalous stuff, such as the
rumors and tips going around, -
said Bennett.
Bennett denied that he had dis.
cussed with Curtis anything other
than the policies Of the Post and
"the political aspects of the in.
vestigation."
How long was the conference?'
asked Dill.
Quite conference-twenty min.
utes. l ust come into his office
without an appointment"
You and Curtis differ about these
talks?''
II think he'll remember"
What did Curtis appreciate"