The Washington times., 1924-03-19

Dome land for ] didn't think Teapot |
Dome would be thrown open. We
came to the Interior Department, !
and meantime had Mr.. Wilson, |
President Wilson's brother, to help |
us.
1.-THE Interior Department finally |
decided in our favor on both the |
Salt Creek and Teapot Dome claims |
John Barton Payne was Secretary
of the Interior then. I never talked |
to President Harding about oil until |
he sent for me, and I never talked |
with Daugherty about it until this |
matter came up"
Have you any papers to show |
your claims to Teapot Dome?"
Eyes"
At this point Darden's attorney, |
Robert s. Bright, produced deed
purporting to prove Darden's claim
In Salt Creek and Teapot Dome. He
also exhibited g bill of complaint by
Darden, John F. Campion and Rob.
Oil Company, a Sinclair subsidiary
operating Teapot Dome.
Barden explained the bill of com.
plant sought to recover the 100
acres in Teapot Dome which had
been leased to Sinclair by ex-Secre-
tary Of Interior Albert b. Fall.
Paid $500 For Share.
What did you pay for this quit
claim deed in Teapot Deme?''
Il don't know. Mr.. Taylor and
Mr.. Campion had the interest and
share"
Later, Darden said, he had to
pay about $4,000 as my share in
the Teapot Dome claims"
Walsh then developed that the
Belgo-American Petroleum gave
Darden the quit claim deed in
June, 1920.
But you didn't get a lease to
the 100 acres in Teapot Dome?"
oh, no, we got the leases in
Salt Creek from the Payne admin
istration."
When did you apply for a lease
to the 100 acres in Teapot Dome9"
We never did. All we had there
was the quit claim deed from the
beigo Company"
Heard About Teapot Deal.
ut appears you went to see
Daugherty about Teapot Dome?"
oh, no; but / heard two months
before that Harry Sinclair Was to get
Teapot Dome"
Fall leased Teapot Dome to Sin.
clair on April z, 1929.
HOW did you know Sinclair was
to get the lease?'
Gossip among oil men in Wyom-
ing"
Dafden explained that a "Mr.
SflnInV "a
Oh Company, went to Teapot Dome !
and did about $4,000 worth of drill !
ing there"
But didn't you talk to President |
Harding and Daugherty about the |
Teapot Dome lease?"
Yes, but first l went to see E. C. |
F'inney, Assistants Secretary of the |
Interior, who told me he didn't know I,
a thing about it.
Finally I went to Fall himself |
and he said Yes, am going to |
lease Teapot Dome and 1 don't think |
you have any claim out there"
Darden said this conference was
about two months before the
lease"
Went to See Harding.
II then went to see President
Harding. He was out playing, but
I waited for him. The President
said; Jim, Fall doesn't think you
have any claim in Teapot Dome
"He said Fall was IT N r. about
Teapot Dome.
IT said: We'll, Mr.. President,
We'll have to go into court to as
sert our claims
After that went to Daugherty.
Harry said, it is a darn
shame that we have to go into court
on this Teapot Dome thing
HE replied that Fall didn't think
1 had any claims and told me ma.
rines were going to be sent out to
drive the Mutual Oil Company off
Teapot Dome"
Says Harding Sent for Him.
Under Questioning by Walsh, OAR
den said the conferences with Presi
dent Harding and Daugherty were
after the lease to Sinclair, but that
he talked to Fall before the lease.
Darden also asserted that Mr.,
Harding sent for him.
Now, Mr.. Darden," said Senator
Spencer, didn't you feel that YOU
had no rights to Teapot Dome
while it was a naval reserve, but
that you had rights after it was
open?"
"Yes."
Walsh Is Irritated.
Walsh became irritated.
II wish the Senator (Spencer)
wouldn't put words in the witness
mouth" he interjected. II want
Mr.. Darden to tell why he went to
see the President, Fall, and Daugh-
erty when he admitted he had not
applied for a lease to Teapot
Dome"
Eyes, but I had claim there"
said Darden, land my Attorney,
Judge Bright, told me to come to
Washington to see these officials"
Walsh then read letter from
Fall to Harding written June 20,
1922, saying Darden had no
privilege or rights to Teapot Dome.
Tell us what Fall said when you
went to see him?"
He was hard headed like / was,
but he said that Sinclair would take
care of the claimants to Teapot
Dome. He also made some
derogatory remarks about Senator
Bursum, but told the President
and Daugherty that they should
support Bursum in his campaign"
But why did you 60 to Fall
when you knew Sinclair had the
lease?"
II wasn't sure then"
Gives Tart Answer.
But you must have had some
purpose. Why this secrecy"
went To see him about the