The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-26
Walsh's Removal Resolu- tion Is Adopted By
 Senate $ - FALLS SON-IN-LAW GIVES RESIGNATION Conspiracy To Deceive In-
 vestigators, Is
 Charged TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST SINCLAIR Grand Jury Indictment Against Oil Magnate May Be
 Sought

WASHINGTON, March 9. - Im- peachment of Clarence c. Chase, son-in- law of Albert B. Fall, as collector of customs at Fl Paso, Texas, was pro- posed today by the senate as an offshoot of its oil inquiry.
 A resolution presented by Senator Walsh, the oil committee prosecutor and adopted by unanimous vote, charged that Chase had conspired with the former in- terior secretary 'to mislead and de- ceive" the oil investigators and called upon the house, which has the sole power of initiating impeachments to take such steps ''as may be appropri- ate"
 Later it was made known at the White House that Chase had submitted his resignation immediately after his re- fusal yesterday to answer any questions before the oil committee but that it had not yet been accepted. Senators said the development would have no effect on the proposed impeachment proceed ings.
 - Not To Act Hastily
 When it reached the house, the sen- ate resolution was referred to the ju- dietary committee which meets tomor- row. Committee members indicated there would be no undue haste, but that sometime in the near future a course of action would be recommend cd to the house.
 While the senate was debating the Walsh resolution, law officers of the government began preparations to press charge of contempt against Harry K. Sinclair, lessee of Teapot Dome,. who also has refused to testify before the oil committee, challenging the authori- ty" of Congress to compel the attend ance of witnesses before it's commit tees. ~t
 District Attorney Gordon conferred snseial oil counsel and ChairuaR < Ladd and Senator Walsh, and it was indicated that an indictment would be asked this week of a grand jury now sitting in the District of Columbia. The conference took place within a few hours after the formal order of the senate had been signed by Acting President Moses and sent to the dis trict attorney.
 Would Be Up To Courts
 Should an indictment be returned there would be put squarely up to the federal courts the question of the au- thority of Congress, and Senator Walsh said that if this were sustained, Sin clair probably would be hailed before the bar of the senate for contempt and placed in the custody of the sergeant at-arms until he agreed to answer the questions put to him.
 Today's open session of the commit tee itself was brief and devoid of sen- sation. NJ. b. Thatcher, president of the First National bank of Pueblo. Colo, testified to loans of slightly more than $100.O00 to Falls cattle company by the M. D. Thatcher Estate com. pany and Senator Walsh commented later that the evidence before the com mittee shows that Fall had received a total of $32 900, the source of which has not been disclosed.
 Thatcher told the committee ar engagements had been made for the estate company to advance $100,000 to the cattle company for improvements but that this sum had been increased by $2,200 through an overdraft which was taken care of in a note.
 Reveals Loss Rumors
 The only other witness was Ander- son H. Tackett, an accountant of the federal trade commission, who said a clerk in the Washington brokerage firm of W. B. Hibbs and company, had told him that the late Jess w. Smith and Xttorney General Daughertyr had a joint account with that firm in 1922 under the title "W. W. Spaid, No. 2." He could not give definitely the re- suits of the transactions of this ac- count, but said the losses might have amounted to S24. .OO0
 Foregoing a public session tomorrow so as to give attention to a number of bills, the committee will resume it's inquiry Thursday with the examina- tion of Al Jennings, former train rob Der and now evangelist and politician, regarding gossip of "Oil deals" at the Chicago republican national convention in 1920.
 R. H. Wilson, a political leader of Oklahoma, will be questioned on the same subject, while through Lewis w. Baldwin, president of the Empire Trust company, the investigators will seek to learn more about the $75,0OO note which Will H. Hays has stated was retired with contribution of $76,- GOO Sinclair made to the republican national committee.
 Will Report To House
 After the Senate resolution the House Judiciary committee will report it's find ings to the House. Exact procedure has not been determined upon, but should it hold there is ground for i'm peachment and the House concurs in that view by formal vote the trial will be held by the Senate sitting in court.
 Under the constitution judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States, but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial judgment and pun