Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-02
DEMAND THAT j. s.
AVNUL OIL LEASES
VOTED BY SENATE
Meanwhile Opposition to
Presidents Choice of Spe-
ciaI Attorneys Grows in
Democratic Ranks

|
the Doheny and Sinclair oil leases
was adopted today by the senate.
The resolution demanding the res
ignation of Secretary DENLY Their
was taken up.
Mr.. Denbys signature is attached
to the leases, which are declared by
the Walsh resolution as finally
adopted to have been made without
authority and contrary to law. A
futile effort to strike out this charge
was made by administration sena-
| tors.
The Democrats led in the attack
on the navy secretary as the debate
on the second resolution began, with
tile regular Republican organization
ling UP in opposition. 1t was con-
-eded. however, that enough Repuh-
Iican insurgent votes might swing
over to insure adoption.
| The resolution relating to Secre-
tary Derby was introduced by the
Democratic leader, Senator Robin
son, of Arkansas, who, with Senator
| Walsh, Democrat, Montana, earlier
in the day had been summoned to
the White House.
| Final action was taken after all
efforts to modify the language of the
resolution, SO as to eliminate direct
charges that the leases We're entered
into without authority and in viola,
ton of the law had been voted down.
| The vote was unanimous. Eighty
eight senators cast their ballots.
An effort to SO amend the Walsh
annulment resolution as to call for
MIR. Denby's resignation led to a de-
bate at the outset Of the days SEN
ate session, but the proposal was
withdrawn after the administration
leaders had promised to permit a
| vote later on separate resolution
relating to the navy secretary.
| The question of the acceptability
| of the two attorneys selected by the
president to prosecute the annulment
| suits resulted in a succession of con-
| ferences at the White House. Chair
man Lenroot and other Republican
Headers called Mr.. Coolidge's atten-
ton to an effort in the senate to bar
any attorney who had been connect
ed with an oil company, and later
Democratic Leader Robinson and
Senator Walsh, Democrat, Montana,
were sent for by the president.
Democrats not Pacified
After the Democratic senators had
left the White House, Senator Rob-
inson renewed his determination to
press for action on the resolution
calling for Mr.. Denby's resignation,
and said he regarded any request for
| Democratic advice as to the selec-
| ton of government counsel as too
| late"
| At the office Of the president, this
statement was given out:
1.-The president conferred with Sen
atorS Robinson and Walsh at his
| suggestion for the purpose of inform
ing himself as to the trend of the
| oil land lease investigation and in
order to exchange suggestions for
mutual help.
| president Coolidge and the two
senators also discussed the matter
of counsel, how to proceed and the
significance of the evidence"
| Silas III. Strawn, one of the special
counsel selected by the president to
conduct the governments investiga-
| ton, arrived at the White House
almost simultaneously with the two
ference with the president with
them.
| The senate oil committee held no
session, but three physicians selected
| by it went to the apartment where
former Secretary Fall is confined to
determine whether he is toa i'll to
testify when the committee hearings
are resumed tomorrow.
Rumors Fly Thick
| In the midst of these develop
ments rumors of cabinet changes, in
volving the retirement of Secretary
DENLY and Attorney General Daugh-
erty, continued to fly thick and fast
a story that the two >cabinet mem
bers had placed their designations
before the president.
| Mr.. Coolidge has selected Thomas
w. Gregory, of Texas, a former
! democratic attorney general, to act
with Mr.. Strawn, and he is on his
way to Washington. There were
evidences yesterday, however, that
something might have gone amiss
in the plans, and it was even more
apparent today that the makeup
of the governments counsel was
| subject still occupying a large share
of attention in administration cir
cles.
1t was to talk over that subject
that Chairman Lenroot, of the SEN
ate oil committee, and Senator Cur
| It's, of Kansas, the Republican whip,
made an early morning trip to the
| White House. Later Senator Lodge,
the Republican floor leader, also
called on the president before his
conference With the Democratic
| leaders.
| All the senatorsdeclined to say
what trend the discussion had taken
Hughes Defense Statement
A suggestion in the senate yester-
day by Senator Norris. Republican,
Nebraska, that Secretary Hughes,
former member of the supreme court,
| should have called attention to the
plain illegality" of the oil leases
when they were discussed by the
cabinet, was followed today by the
issuance of this statement by Mr..
Hughes:
1.-THE questions of the legality or
propriety of the oil leases now I'M
der discussion in congress were never
| brought before the cabinet for its
discussion. My opinion upon these
questions was neevr sought or eN.
pressed either in or out of the cabi-
net. If the oil leases were ever re-
ferred to in cabinet meetings. and l
do not recall that thew were, it was
lcertainly only by way of general ref
erenee and without requiring a re-
sponsible action. which. of course,
should not have been willing to take
without examination of papers and
statutes. Having plenty of work in
the department of state. had no oc
casiop To consider the questions of
law and fact involved md / have not
been called upon 10 take any re
sponsiblllty in the matter"