The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-01-28

we have it upon the word of
Secretary Fall that before these
leases were executed. not only the
leases themselves, but even the uues.
ton Of legality OF the leases was
discussed before the Cabinet" said
Walsh
Il am fully appreciative OF the
fact anything said by former Sec
retary Fall or anything to be said
must be taken with certain de.
gree Of doubt"
Naval Officials Called
Meanwhile. while this was being
revealed in the Senate, the House
Naval Affairs Committee decided to
call Rear Admiral J. L. Lattimer.
judge advocate of the Navy, and Rear
Admiral L. Z. Gregory, chief Of yards
and docks to appear Wednesday to tell
what they know of Sinclair and Do.
heny oil leases.
Representatives Winson. Georgia.
and Logan, South Carolina, demanded
Secretary DENLY be called. but no
acton was taken on their proposal
Walsh, in the Senate, asked unani-
nous consent his resolution to cause
cancellation of the Mammoth Oil Com
pany's lease of Teapot Dome be con-
sidered
Before consent was granted, Senator
Lenroot, Wisconsin. chairman of the
Senate Public Lands Committee. said
he wanted TO reply to q statement,
given out by Senator Walsh. The
latter, in making public the text of
his resolution today. stated he did so
because it was apparent from Presi,
dent Coolidge's announcement Satur-
day night he had decided to employ
special counsel to prosecute annul-
ments and possible criminal actions
had been inspired by the effort to pre-
sent the Walsh resolution in the Sen
ate today and ask it's adoption. Walsh
said the committee had decided to
keep this action confidential.
Coolidge Prepares Statement
Lenroot said, about 1920 Saturday
night l went to the White House at
the request of the President and
found on my arrival his statement
mad been prepared in essentially the
form in which it was later given out
He had no information from me and
/ am told from no one else. concern
ing the committees action, hence did
not base his action on what the com
mittee did, as he had decided In his
course" No objection was raised to
taking up the Walsh resolution and
the Senate proceeded to consider it.
The letter from the late President
I q . L.
dated from the White House, June 7,
1921, and was the letter transmitting
Falls report on the oil lease which
had been requested by the Senate COM
mittee.
Not in Defense
II am sure l am correct in con. !
STRUNG the impelling purpose of
the Secretary of the Interior in max !
ing to me this report" Mr.. Harding's
letter read. ''It is not to be construed
as defense of either specific acts or
the general policies followed in deal. |
Ing with the problems incident to the |
handling Of naval reserves, but is de-
signed to afford explanation to which |
the Senate is entitled and which will |
prove helpful to the country generally |
In appraising the Administration of !
these matters of public concern. I !
think 1t is only fair to say in this /
the policy which has been
adopted by the Secretary of the Navy |
and the Secretary of the Interior in |
dealing with these matters was sub |
mitted TO me prior to the adoption /
thereof and the policy decided upon |
l..
times had my entire approval"
Falls report to President Harding /
hen says in one paragraph:
You will recall, Mr.. President, the
egal questions involved IN the making
IF contracts for oil exchange, fos stor-