Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-28
INSIST ON THE FACTS

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Mr.. Doheny testifies that ex-Secre-
tary FAN received the 100000 loan
from him. Senatorial orators pre-
viously had 1t that the loan Was
from Sinclair. Here IL more than
a hint that It will not do to depend
on what Senators may say about
these oil leases In their remarks in
the Senate chamber. They cannot
be held accountable for their state
ments and they are inclined to abuse
that privilege.
What the public. wants and should
have 10 an investigation Of those oil
leases, calculated to bring out all the
facts without fear or favor. Those
facts should be given publicity in
such a way as to assure us of their
accuracy. Until that Is done the
public should withhold Judgment.
This does not mean that people
should rid their minds of suspicion
there are too many features of the
case which need explanation. One is
permitted to be skeptical about the
motives which induced Fall to say
and do az he has: cannot be expect
ed to overlook the care exercised to
get that 100000 from Mr.. Doheny
into Falls hands without any evil
dence of the transaction. But It is
possible there 10 a reasonable ex-
PLANTATION. The suspected should
have the privilege Of explaining--but
they should be compelled to do that,
and there should be no doubt, no oc-
casion to question the method of do
ing It. The character OF the man In
the Presidential Office we think Is in
itself assurance that this will be
done. Moreover the Senate commit
tee is made up of both Republicans
and Democrats.
The President recognizes the need
OF going about this. first fixing re-
sponsibility. next ascertaining just
what the Governments rights in the
case may be. The public interest
involved in these leases is large, very
large. The leases are contracts.
Congress cannot cancel them by re-
solution. II they are found to be
wrong the Senate should request
their cancellation, whereupon ap-
plication would be made to the
courts.
This Is a time for getting at facts
and thinking straight about them.
On the other hand. the public has
a right to have this matter cleared
up. A senate committee has been
investigating for several months and
a controversy has been going on
since President Harding by execu-
tive order delegated to Fall. then
secretary OF the interior. March 3.
1921. administration OF the govern
ment's reserve oil fields. Certain Of
the naval authorities objected to this
as not properly coming under the
general leasing law Of 1920. while
other naval authorities took an OPP
posite view. Secretary DENLY sign
ed the lease Of the Teapot Dome"
fields in Wyoming to Harry f. SIM
clair. the oil promoter. No conlpeti-
tive bids were obtained. which it is
argued should have been obtained.
Noticeable activity in the Sinclair oil
stocks preceded the official an
nouncement. 1t was contended that
q grave condition necessitated the
lease. Rear-Admiral Robson. who
favored the lease. declared that Sec
rotary Fall did not originate the idea
OF the lease and was surprised when
told the reason. 1t also was said
that the privately owned fields ad-
Joining the governments were
draining the oil away from the gov
eminent reserve. Moreover. there
was no government agency for sink
ing wells and developing the fields.
The Senate did not accept the
statement about leakage and had
investigation made on its own ac-
count. conducted by the chief geol-
ogist Of the U. 8. Geologic Survey.
His report confirmed the contention
Of those who denied the leakage.
Regarding the California reserve
oil fields leased to Doheny 1t is
claimed there was great loss from
leakage, tho Bureau Of Mines esti-
mating loss to the present Of H.
100000 barrela
The lessees were to pay royalties
for the oil with certificates redeem
able In fuel oil at seaboard. The
royalties from the Wyoming fields
have not been suficient to pay for
. storage depot built by the leasing
company at Portsmouth. N. H.
At this writing the parts OF the
story which have been published
make for suspicion. The ramifica-
lions Of the deals are many. To
clear them up to the public's salts
faction would be dificult under any
circumstances. It win be especially
dimcult with all the conflicting In
teresta.
r. weak ofIicials have been made
the tools Of capitalists. who through
them would practically exploit the
resources Of the country. they should
suffer the penalty. No mercy should
be shown. Those who by reason of
their ofllcial position seek to enrich
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