Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-31
FALL WAS TRA|LED
BY j. s. OPERATIVES,
SENATOR REVEALS
Federal SIeuthS Put on the
Watch to Nip Any Attempt
of EX-Secretary to Leave
the Country

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-Physi-
clans attending Albert B. Fall told
the senate oil committee today that
the former interior secretary is in
no condition to appear before it
and testify.
The hearing was behind closed
doors and details were not divulged.
1t was learned, however, that the
doctors related how Mr.. Fall had
remained in his room continuously
since his arrival in Washington last
Thursday night, had shown little, if
any, Improvement from day to day.,
and had reached stage of nervous
exhaustion threatening collapse.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ga new
sensation involving the navy depart
rnent appeared this afternoon when
Chairman Butler, of the house naval
affairs committee, summoned Secre-
tary DENLY and several naval Off.
GERS to appear tomorrow for ques-
tioning in connection with charges
of alleged illegal expenditure of some
seventeen million dollars in oil royal
ties.
Information reaching Chairman
ed by the navy department on oil
royalties was used directly in con-.
struction work for the navy, par
ticularly at Pearl Harbor, instead of
being paid into the treasury anu
then appropriated for the depart
ment. ---
The house committee desires to in
quire as to the report. In addition
to DENLY, Rear Admiral j. L. Lati-
mer, advocate general; Admiral J. r.
Robins, Admiral Robert Griffin and
other officers having to do with the
royalties or Pearl Harbor construc-
ton, have been asked to appear.
With senate action to disavow the
acts Of former Secretary Fall as
sured, attempts were instigated on
the Democratic side to drive both
Secretary DENLY and Attorney Gen
eral Daugherty out of the cabinet.
After a cabinet meeting, at which
the whole situation was discussed,
Mr.. DENLY announced he had no in
tention of resigning and wanted q
record vote on the Robinson resolu.
ton asking him to do so. From the
senate, floor Senator Robinson replied
that such vote would be sought at
the earliest possible moment.
At the department Of justice it was
indicated that Mr.. Daugherty, who
is in Florida, had entertained no in
tention of retiring from office. A
resolution asking for his removal
and making references to unprose-
cuted charges made both in the vet
Grams inquiry and the oil inyestiga-
ton was drawn up by Senator
Wheeler, Democrat, Montana.
The resolution declared the presi-
dent has lost confidence in Mr..
Daugherty as exemplified by employ
ment Of outside counsel to prosecute
the oil annuln1ent suit. 1t ALSO as
serts that Mr.. Daugherty has lost
the confidence of congress and of the
American people and that the depart
ment of justice has fallen into dis
repute."
Cabinet Debates Matter
Although he went over the whole
ground at the cabinet meeting, Pres
ident Coolidge delayed for the pres
ent his choice Of special counsel to
prosecute the oil cases. He expects
to act after the senate, probably late
today, has adopted the Walsh resolu-
ton asking for such prosecution. He
will ask for senate confirmation for
the men he selects.
When the cabinet assembled for its
regular Tuesday session, there were
renewed indications that Mr.. Cool
idge expected the navy secretary
to retain his post. In this at
titude. the administration has the
support of the titular Republican
leaders Of the senate.
The attack on Mr.. DENLY, as we'll
as the proposal to employ special
counsel TO prosecute the Oil annui-
ment suits. was talked over at a
White House conference last night.
attended by Senator Lodge and sew
eral other senators. The, president
was not yet ready today, however, TO
announce who would be chosen to
conduct the prosecution.
President Coolidge, asked a direct
question by callers to his office to-
day relative to the Robinson resolu-
ton requesting the resignation of
Secretary DENLY, replied that it was
a matter he did not care to discuss.
The president considers the whole
oil leasing investigation as having
resolved itself into two major prob
lens for tn eexeQutive branch of the
government first to determine
whether there was criminal liability,
and second, to ascert2ia whether
the leases are legal and to the best
interests OF the government. All
other matters are Of lesser impor-
lance In his opinion
These two problems are to be
worked out by the special counsel
to be employed by the president, and
there is no indication that the execu-
tive at this time is contemplating
any additional action. He discussed
the matter today at a cabinet ses-
sion lasting nearly two hours.
Selection of counsel to prosecute
the oil lease cases, it was indicated
today at the White House, Is being
held up to await action by the sem
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