Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-23
Fall-Doheny Case Verdict
Causes Emphatic Comment

The San Francisco Bulletin Gnde-
pendent) holds that ''if really innocent
in their financial relations, Fall and
Doheny were certainly indiscreet, and
if not innocent, they are exceedingly
fortunate" The st. Louis POst-Dis-
patch independently believes that ''the
acquittal of these two men is irrecon-
cilable with facts and the theory Of
| justice. The jury acquitted them of
the charge Of criminal conspiracy"
that paper continues, but II did not
vindicate them. They are convicted
| at the bar of public opinion"
Irrespective of the jury's verdict
according to the Kansas City Times
independently, Fall and Doheny took
part in one of the most humiliatins
and shameful episodes in the history
of the American Government" In the
opinion of the Minneapolis Tribune
Republican), 1.-The jurys verdict does
not close the case in the forum Of
popular opinion, wherein it is written
indelibly that, knaves or not, the &C
cused were self-convicted fools who
trif1ed inexcusably with human Gre
dulity and suspicion" The Atlanta
Constitution Oemocratic) asserts that
Fall was so fiagrantly unethical that
a jury verdict cannot excuse him In
public opinion" while the Portland
Oregon Journal independently holds
that the Fall-Doheny operations will
stand as one of the dark spots in
American governmental history"
The Topeka Capital Republican,
states that "a lesson of this case Is
that innocent men should have re
spect enough for public decencies not
to mix little friendly financial deals
with the public business so that the
f1xyO CO n1ncoIV TN
suspicion OF the Government as to
their criminal intent" The Louisville
Courier-Journal Democratic) AYERS
that "the American people have OBJ
served that the American jury is often
derelict in cases of prominent defend
ants of high political connections
cases which it is almost impossible TO
try unaffected by powerful political
influences"
ALBERT b. Fall and Edward L. Do
heny," satirically observes the Omaha
World-Herald independently, "are not
grafters and conspirators, but un-
selfish and far-seeihg patriots. They
deserve not the Kisses but the cheers
of all loyal Americans. Such, in eff
feet, is the verdict Of the jury.
A grateful Nation, in view of
the facts as determined by the jury,
should at once begin preparations to
erect at least as many statues to
Albert b. Fall as commemorate the
services of George Washington and
as many to Edward l.. Doheny as
attest our undying love for Abraham
Lincoln" The Newark Evening News
independently suggests that "if they
can find any glory in the decision OF
the IL men in the jury box that, on
the evidence presented, they could not
be convicted, let them take it."
X X X =
The Springfield Republican dnde-
pendert) proclatrns that "the jury's
verdict flies in the face OF every moral
concept to which public administra-
ton can be reduced" The Baltimore
Sun independently AYERS that the jury
has not found, and 1t could not find.
that Fall and Doheny were not guilty
of the grossest misconduct"
1.-THE trial exposed clandestine and
devious methods. of transacting public
business highly improper" in the
Judgment of the Philadelphia Bulletin
independent Republican,, while the
Sacramento Bee independently says
that neither Doheny's millions nor
his acquittal will clear his name Of
taking advantage of his Government
through acts of a public servant" And
the Worcester Telegram Republican,
draws the conclusion from the facts
that 'all talk about vindication is
nonsense. Neither Mr.. Doheny nor
Mr.. Fall deserves anything except
condemnation for his conduct
The Milwaukee Journal Qndepend
ent) calls 1t "a sickening story from
start to finish,' adding the comment.
What Is in question here is not a few
hundred millions Of property saved or
lost, but whether government in the
United States is able to protect the
public rights and vindicate them when
they are violated" The Raleigh News
and Observer Democratic) laments its
inability to print upon asbestos print
ing paper what II thinks Of the
verdict"