Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-31
OILLEASE ROW
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cit her had ever acted as counsel for an
oil company. He added. however. that
he believed such Il prohibition in the
appropriation measure would he wise.
Some cause for speculation as to the
possibility of a hitch in the employ
ment of Mr.. Strawn or Mr.. Gregory
was given. however. by a visit to the
White House by Assistant Attorney
General Holland. who has been OBJ
serving the Senate inquiry. He con-
ferred with Secretary Slcmp on the
question OF counsel and Mr.. Slemp
afterwards had a long conference with
President Coolidge. -.
Running its course for the third
successive day. Senate debate was
marked by bitter exchanges between
Republicans and Democrats and culmi-
mated in a personal tilt between Chair
man Lenroot of the oil committee and
Senator Walsh. Democrat. Montana.
who has had the leading role in the in
quiry. Senator Walsh bluntly charged
that he had received no cooperate ion
from the chairman or other Republic
cans on the committee up to the time
Archie Roosevelt testified. Senator
Lenroot said he was content to let the
country judge from the records of the
hearings.
81 tiodh polit'to II uC ~ dClf~
cally all of the six hours of debate
and at times there was such hub
bub that President Cummins had
difficulty in maintaining even a
semhlancc of order. Democratic
senators indicated by laughter and
smatterings of applause their ap-
provaI of shafts sent flying by
speakers on their side and twice the
presiding officer was obliged to warn
the galleries against demonstrations.
President Coolidge, Mr.. Fall and
Secretary DENLY were assailed time
and again. while towards the last,
Democrats charged the Republicans
with undertaking to soften" the
language of the Walsh resolution
Taking exception to these charges,
Senator Lenroor declared that Re
publican senators approved the Ian
guage with respect to indicated
corruption and fraud in connec-
ton with the leases and had sought
only to make less positive the dec
larations concerning questions of
law involved in the case and upon
which the courts must pass.
a group of Republicans. insur-
gents and progTessives, Joined with
the solid Democratic minority in
voting down amendments designed
to modify tie expressions as to the
want Of authority for the leases The
two Farmer Labor senators from
Minnesota. Shipstead and Johnson,
also opposed the amendments.
Mr.. Fall was attacked in the
maiden senate speech of Senator
Medley. Democrat. West Virginia.
This is the most disgraceful,
most Illuminating and most degrad-
ing chapter" said Senator NeeIey.
that has been written in American
history since the dark day when
Benedict Arnold betrayed his coun-
try for British Sold-a chapter writ
ten by Albert Il. Fall Republi-
can secretary OF the interior"
The whole transaction. the West
Virginia senator continued, "is black
with graft and crimson red with
crime"
Both Mr.. Fall and Secretary Dem
by were assailed by Senator Tram
mel. Democrat. Florida. He de
clared Fall should be prosecuted
and made an example for other men
who may be called TO positions OF
trust" 4
Fall will be prosecuted" Senator
Trammell said. but what about the
secretary of the navy? He has
shown a reckless disregard Of his
duties"
Senator Nor beck, Republican,