Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-13
Both POmerene and
Strawn May Be
Withdrawn.
GARFIELD MAY GET
POST AS ATTORNEY
DENLY and All Others in
Lease Case Must Go,
Senator Declares.

President Coolidge apparently is
preparing to withdraw from the
Senate the nomination of Silas H.
Strawn of Illinois as special govern
ment counsel in the oil lease cases.
1t is possible that the name OF
Atlee Pomcrene, Mr.. Strawn's col
league, also will be withdrawn.
While further developments along
these lines were being awaited, de-
bate started in the Senate with an
attack on President Coolidge's re-
fusal to request Secretary DENLY
to resign, Senator Robinson, Arkan-
sas, democratic leader, predicting
that public opinion will force the
President to remove every official
connected with the oil reserve leases.
Senator Robinson read prepared
statement on the Senate floor after
Senator Lodge, the republican lead
er, had obtained permission to have
the Presidents reply to the Senate
printed in the Record.
James Il. Garfield OF Ohio, Secretary
Of the Interior under Roosevelt, may be
chosen as counsel in place of Mr..
Strawn.
Opposition has developed to both of
the men who had been selected by the
President. Senators have declared that
at least one of the lawyers should be
a man trained in litigation over land
leasing laws. Mr.. Garfield, who was
called to the White House today by Mr..
Coolidge, is regarded by the Presidents
advisers AS having the qualifications
desired.
Would Protect Attorneys.
The President does not desire to sub
ject Mr.. Strawn and Mr.. Pomerene to
embarrassment through failure of Sen
ate confirmation. He had considered
the possibility of appointing them as
special assistant attorneys general,
for which no Senate confirmation
would be necessary, but has decided
not to do so.
The President Is convinced that the
country. desiring full and impartial
investigation and prose cution of the
oil cases, would not be satisfied to
have the inquiry and legal proceed
ings conducted solely by those con-
nected with the Department OF
Justice.
Chairman Lenroot of the oil COM
mtttee is understood to have informed
Mr.. Coolidge Immediately after he re-
turned from New York this morning
that there was slight possibility OF
the confirmation of Mr.. Strawn. and
some doubt also whether Mr.. Pom
creme would be approved.
Mr.. Garfield, who has been serving
on the Department of Interiors COM
to determine a policy with
respect to reclamation, said after his
with the President that
any information regarding his visit
would have to come from the Presi-
dent.
Voluntary Change Seen.
Meantime some of those intimately
ments believe that voluntary changes
may be made in the Presidents selec-
lions, precluding the necessity of adj
verse Senate action.
Senator Robinson read this state
ment on the Senate floor after SEN
ator Lodge of Massachusetts,. the re-
publican leader, had obtained permits
sion to print the Presidents reply to
the Senate in the Record.
THE President was in accord with
the advice Of the Senate In the Walsh
substitute resolution that the De-
partment of Justice be not relied upon
to protect the governments inter
ests, but that special counsel be en-
ployed to direct both the civil and
criminal litigation growing out Of
the oil lease disclosures.
His statement makes 1t clear that
he does not regard the facts and cir
Senate committee sufficient. and that
he has no intention Of Diminishing
Secretary DENLY, or any one else re-
sponsible for the transaction, until
by additional evidence or advice from
other sources he reaches the con-
public interest requires such action
on his part.
Power Undoubted.
His power to reject advice from
the Senate or from any other source
is undoubted, but his responsibility
is emphasized If he retains officers
whose public declarations Justify the
that they will throw
every possible obstacle in the way
Of the governments success in re-
covering and safeguarding the prop
crty which they have improvidentiy
and reckiessly conveyed. Retention
IN office of Secretary DENLY means
that the President for all practical
purposes supports the Secretary's
policies and approves or acquiesces
in his actions.
THE Congress made Secretary Den
by its akent to administer the naval
oil reserves, and when the Senate
found the agent had
been incompetent and derelict in the
performance of his duty. 1t could not
be construed as an unwarranted IN
reference with the Executives pre-
rogative to SO advise the President
and to ask him to dismiss the recall
citrant agent so as to fill his place
with another who would respect and
perform HIS duty.
Mr.. DENLY has repeatedly declared
that II retained in office he will con-
tinue the same policy, and IL oppor-
tunity arises will repeat the acts
of regardless OF the cir
cumstances.
1.-The Senate has unanimously con-
demned his action In a resolution, and
by a majority of Al to 81 passed
another asking the President for his
removal. Is there the slightest doubt
that the opinion of the Senate re-
fleets the will of a large majority of
the people?
THE President, of coarse, can
carry the issue to the oo0ntry, but
will he dare do so? Notwithstanding
his defiant statement, 1t is respect
fully suggested the President soon
may be forced by public opinion to
turn out of office every one, Including
Secretary DENLY, who encouraged or
pa fc1pated in making the secret