Evening star., 1926-12-04
WILBUR'S LETTER PUTTING GAG
ON robson IS READ TO JURY

Continued from First Page)
piled: "He was the source Of certain
Of these reports"
What did you tell Doheny?" asked
Hogan.
"That's exactly what 1 have no
right to tell you," replied the defense
witneS.
Uses General Terms.
Tell the court and jury, then"
said Mr.. Hogan, and here Justice
Hoehling Interrupted and directed the
witness to relate the conversation,
which finally resulted in his doing it
in general terms and without the men,
ton of names or nations.
Robson has been relied upon by the
defense to prove that part of the
opening statement which Mr.. Hogan
frankly made to the jury, and which
set forth the fact that Admiral
Gleaves had reported Japan was mob
iliZing and preparing for an attack
upon the Philippines and Hawaiian Is
lands.
Fight for Better Terms.
Capt. Robson made a determined
fight on behalf of the Government for
higher royalty oil in a series of con-
ferences held between the Govern
ment and DohenyS company, he testi-
fled just before court adjourned. AL
though Secretary Fall had, with DIR.
Fl. Foster Balm, drawn up a COM
promise schedule, Robson said he
was not satisfied with this. when
I told Secretary Fall j thought l
could do better he said he could not
get it out of the old man and he
! hoped I could
At the finak conference, early in
December, which was for the contract
to build additional storage facilities
for Navy fuel oil, Robson said a
deadlock had been reached.
81 was doing my best for the Gov
ernment," Robson declared, so [ ap'
pealed to Mr.. Doheny. / said, I ap-
peal to you as my friend to fix it.
for Gods sake, so the Navy won't
get bilked in this
"Doheny said: If there's any talk
of being bilked this is off right now y
The witness added that with this
declaration by Doheny he accepted
the royalty schedule.
On his return to the Navy Depart
ment Robson said he reported to Den
by and told him he had "lost out" on
the royalties. DENLY, the witness tes'
titled, said: Its all right, Robson;
you have done very WELL"
Robson Letter to Fall.
Mr.. Hogan then read to the jury a
| letter from Robson to Fall. in which
the former accepted the schedule OF
royalties, and also another letter In
which Robson told Fall the contract
Hoy IN tnClc iC nntjr01E
satisfactory with the Navy Depart
ment and is an advantageous one for
the Government to enter into.
July Is Brought Back.
The jury, having been excused while
counsel argued the admissibility of
| the gag-rule letter and testimony
bearing on the war plans, was brought
| back into the courtroom to hear JUS
tice Hoehling's opinion.
Mr.. Hogan then read the letter to
| the jury.
The defense attorney, following this,
abruptly asked the witness to resume
his testimony regarding the confer
ences he had held with officials prior
to the awarding Of the April 25 con
tract.
Robson said he was in consultation
with Bureau Of Mines officials and In
| formed by them Of the attitude OF j.
~. Cotter Of the Pan-American Co.
that he preferred acceptance of the
"A" bid rather than the b bid
| Questioned about the preferential
rights, clause, he testified that he hat
been informed that the Interior DE
partment had succeeded in changing
this clause so that it would materially
benefit the Government.
| He next related a conference in Sec
retary Denby's private Office at which
he went over the rough draft Of the
contract of April 25 with the head OF
the Navy Department. Both suggested
some changes, he said, and DENLY tole
him to go ahead after these changes
had been made. This rough draft was
submitted to the judge advocate gen
| eral.
| Memorandum Identified.
Robson next identified a memoran
dunn which he presented to Secretary
DENLY. outlining the basis of his con
ference with Doheny In December
1921. This was q technical description
| Of the oil reserves and questions in
| volving them. He mentioned in II
| that Secretary Fan was greatly inter
ested in the matter. but wanted ths