Evening star., 1926-11-24

Secretary of the Interior before work
is begun; the Secretary Of the Interior
may declare the contracts null and
another stated that the Secretary of
the Interior would approve all vouch-
ers for expenses in connection with
the project.
Considerable time was occupied by
Attorney Roberts in the routine
identification of the Pearl Harbor
leases, necessary however for the
records. George w. Holland OF the
Geological Survey, was called to the
stand to witness the signature of AS.
sistant Secretary Finney to the lease
of June 8. 1922, and the supplemental
royalty lease and contract Of Decem.
her II.
Another technical witness, Theo.
dore Mack, who was a clerk in the
office Of former Secretary Fall. also
was put on the stand this morning
for the identification of signatures.
Attorneys Hogan and Lambert, who
appeared impatient as this tedious
process continued, waived their rights
to identify the various documents and
signatures and said that the defense
would admit in advance that they
were genuine.
Mr.. Roberts then proceeded for the
information of the jury and for the
court record to read the terms of the
Pan-American lease, by which that
company would construct oil storage
tanks at Pearl Harbor and additional
storage facilities to the capacity of
about 5,OOO,O barrels at various
naval stations and seaports. in ex-
change for crude oil from the Elk
Hills reserve. He also read in its en-
iirety the lease governing the subject
OF oil royalties from which both the
Government and the Pan-American
Co would benefit.
DENLY Letter Produced.
After reading the lease granted the
Pan-American Co. in the naval re-
serve No. /. Mr.. Roberts produced a
letter dated November %, 1922, signed
by Edwin DENLY. Secretary of the
Navy. and addressed to Secretary
Fall, in which he spoke of the neces-
sity for additional storage facilities
at Pearl HaIbor and on the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts.
1T has been suggested that the con-
tract be revised Mr.. DENLY wrote
in referring to the original Pearl
IIarbor fuel storage project. He then
requested the Secretary of the Interior
TO act for the Navy in this matter
and concluded by asking Mr.. Fall
TO take steps to modify the contract
or enter into new one"
Mr.. Roberts followed this letter with
the reading of a lease dated December
IL. 1922, giving the Pan-American Co.
exclusive rights over certain sections
of reserve No. l for 20 years.
Former Secretary on Stand.
Mr.. Daniels was the next witness
called by the Government.
There was a slight buzz Of antict-
patton in the courtroom when the Ia
miliar figure of the wartime cabinet
officer, garbed in his usual formal
black clothes. arose from the rear
seat, where he had been an incon-
sptcuous spectator during the early
part OF the proceedings. But If the
spectators looked for anything un.
usual they were disappointed.
When Mr. Daniels approached the
witness stand he bowed and kissed
the Bible extended to him by the
bailiff as he took the oath as a wit
ness.
Attorney Roberts then took up the
questioning after Daniels had given
his name.
when did you serve as Secretary
Of the Navy" asked Roberts:
+
1921" was Mr.. Daniels brief reply.
Were any leases granted in oil re.
serve No. l either before or after you
took office. Roberts asked the former
Secretary.
No" Daniels replied crisply.
Were there any applications for
leases either before or after you as
sumed Office" asked Roberts.
Yes. there WERE" the witness re-
piled.
His Appearance Short.
This mere statement of fact ap.
parentlv was all that the Government
desired to draw from Mr.. Daniels at
.his time Turning to Mr.. Hogan the
Government counsel said that the de-
fense could take the witness for cross
examination.
II don't want TO- Hogan said
shortly.
Mr.. Daniels was then excused and
left the room.
II was understood that the former
Secretary of the Navy, who figured to
Some extent in the Senate oil inyesti-
cation. will be recalled to the stand at
another stage of the proceedings. He
nvnects TO remain in Washington for
some time.
The next witness to follow Daniels
was lanes F.. Smith, mall clerk in the
Interior Departments division or mail
and files. His brief examination was
merely for the routine purpose OF
ascertaining the manner in which
mi, and documents in the depart
ment were, distributed TO the Secretary
and his assistants.
Mr.. Roberts then read letter writ
,en by Fai: on JIly :. 1921. TO Doheny
j., connection with the leases.
This letter has figured previously in
,ne statements of defense counsel.
Fall stated In II tha& he had in