Evening star., 1927-11-13
FALL SAYS HEALTH
IS FAILING RAPIDLY.
Fears He May Not See Home
Again After New Trial
in January.
By the Associated Press.

Albert B. Fall said goodbye to
Washington last night with a lurking
presentment that after his new trial
here in January he may not be strong
enough to turn homeward again.
A few hours before train time the
66-year.old former Interior Secretary
received an Associated Press reporter
in the hotel room where he has
battled illness for the last week. lie
said his intention was to go to his
New Mexico ranch, so that he might
build himself up to be able to return
here on January IS. the day set for
new trial of the Teapot Dome case
in which he is defendant with Harry
+. Sinclair.
IL would like to feel that there is
more than an even chance for my
returning home after that" Fall con.
tinued. but 1 think there is only a
$3.50 chance. | shall come, if it is
possible, because | want To have the
opportunity, as far as possible. TO
clear my name"
Denies jury Case knowledge.
FAN sat low in an easy chair, his
stopped shoulders shrouded in a blue
velvet bathrobe. The paleness of his
cheeks showed how illness had sapped
his vitality, but his eyes were bright
and his voice strong as he referred
to the grand jury investigation grow
ing out of the recent mistrial of the
Teapot Dome case.
II had not the slightest idea that
any detectives had been hired to in
vestisate jurors he said. This
whole affair was absolutely new TO
me. and at no time was the matter
mentioned in my presence. Mr.. Sin
clair never intimated to me knowledge
Of such activities. If he even knew.
During the trial l visited his room
only one afternoon, and he was in
my room only q few times"
Fall revealed that on the dav of
the mistrial. he sought to ask Justice
SiddOns to have the case so on i'm
mediately.
MY plea was interrupted by an OBJ
lection by Mr.. Pomerene, of Govern
ment counsel" he said II was will
ing to have the case go on with that
jury. or to start again the next day
with another jury.
Built Up for Each Trial
'It took me l. months to build up
for the trial, and even longer than
that TO build up for the Dohenv' trial,
Now l intend to rest and walk in New
Mexico, where the warm climate and
altitude agree with me- Unless doc.
tors forbid me to return to Washing
ton in January, | will come. But
must consider my family and. al
though l am old, perhaps I can re-
main with them little longer before
going across the great divide"
The Washington climate has never
suited his health. Fall said
I'm 10 years as Senator and two as
a member of the cabinet. / spent only
one Christmas here" he went on.
Reticent about talking for publi-
cation, the former Interior Secretary
said, 1T was always my custom never
to say what ! was going to do, but
to do things That is why / told
nobody about the Teapot Dome leases:
| was HaIding's representative. ana
I will not now seek to try my case In
the newspapers. What l will say,
though, is that no person connected
with my side Of the case will stand
on their constitutional rights of I'M
munity.
Fall declined to amplify the state
ment, in response to an inquiry
whether II meant that he intended
to take the stand in his own defense
when the new trial is called At that
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