The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-04-23
WHEELER IN OIL
GRAFT, SURPRISE
WITNESS SAYS
Offered to Influence
Interior Department
especial to Tho Daily WORKER,


GREAT FALLS, Mont, April 2i.--
The defense began It's fight In federal
court here today to free Senator Bur-
ton X. Wheeler, democrat, Of Mon
tana, Of charges Of mlsuslng hls office
by receiving a fee to represent .
client before the interior department.
With more than Is witnesses ready
to testify, the defense planned to cen.
sumo at least two days in completing
its case.
Because of the sensational testi-
mony of George B. Hayes, New York
attorney, and surprise witness OF the
government, Wheeler's lawyers today
abandoned plans to move Immediately
for an instructed verdict OF acquital.
| Hayes testimony, coming as a com.
plete surprise, sent Wheeler's counsel
I into a conference that lasted until
early today to map out new methods
of combating the governments evil
dence.
involved In OIL Millions
John L. Slattery, United States at
torney, called Hayes to sustain his
charge to the jury that Wheeler pro-
posed an agreement TO make mil
lions" out of oil lands obtained from
interior permits
Hayes declared he met Wheeler In
New York hotel lobby on March 10,
1928, day before Wheeler sailed for
Europe. The conference was arrang-
ed by telegraph by Edwin S. Booth,
Former solicitor of the interior, Hayes
said.
I'VE discussed permits of Gordon
Campbell Hayes testified. Wheeler
is accused of representing Campbell,
Montana oil operator.
wheeler said he would split his
fee with me If would handle Camp
BELLS troubles before the department"
Hayes added. HE said he was a
United States senator and could not
himself appear before the department.
think Wheeler stated the fee would
run to a very considerable figure, |
think he mentioned millions"
Hayes declined the offer.
To Represent Wheeler
After this talk, Hayes said he went
to washington and saw Booth, who
declared, 81 was very foolish because
1 would have very little to do; that
lie (Booth) would keep me advised
about all of CRmpbell's transactions,
and would help me-"
81 was merely to represent Wheeler
on Campbell's claims" Hayes de-
clared.
Wheeler announced today he "never
made any such proposition to Hayes"
Defense Recalls Hayes.
| Opening it's fight to acquit Senator
Wheeler, the defense attempted to
smash the testimony of two of the
governments witnesses.
AS it's first move the defense re.
called George B. Hayes, and H. c.
CLOSER, former secretary to Camp.
bell.
Walsh and Hayes engaged in a rath.
er bitter tilt and soon were fairly
shouting questions and answers. Fin
ally, able to draw little from Hayes,
Walsh excused the witness.
CLOSER, who previously testified
Wheeler promised Campbell ito fix
up things in Washington" followed his
previous testimony, remained unshak-
en-.
Tom Stout, ex-congressman and
chairman of the state democratic com.
mittee, next was called by the de-
tense. He testified that he conducted
the negotiations leading to Wheelers
employment to defend a receivership
| for Campbell, in Montana courts only.
Got Ten Thousand a Year.
wheeler agreed to represent Camp
bell at retainer OF $4,000 a year"
said Stout. Wheeler stated fatty
that II would have to be understood
that his services would apply only to
work in Montana courts and would be
unable to represent Campbell in any
public land affairs"