Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-29
Press i'm General COmmends
Verdict i'm Sinclair Case

Public reaction to the verdict Of the
jury which found that Harry r. Sin
clair, oil producer, was guilty of con
tempt of the Senate, indicates gen
orally increased confidence In the eff
fectiveness of official Investigations
Coupled with the Supreme Court de
cision in the Doheny case, it has IN
spired expressions OF satisfaction that
the Government has the power to seek
information regarding matters involv
ing the rights Of the Nation.
''The Sinclair case is Of particular
Importance" according to the Chicago
Daily News independently, because II
is typical rather than exceptional and
isolated. In recent instances several
other persons have refused to answer
pertinent and relevant questions asked
by senatorial investigating commit.
tees. Such an attitude of defiance and
obstruction is intolerable I'm a self
governing Nation. Legislative bodies
need and must possess authority to
elicit facts concerning matters OF
legislation and public policy"
'The law in the case was 80 plainly
stated from the bench" says the
Philadelphia Inquirer Republican,
that the jury was morally bound to
find the oil magnate guilty of con
tempt in refusing to answer the ques
tons of q congressional investigating
committee. Several months ago the
United States Supreme Court defined
the powers Of such committees. This
case will be taken from the Supreme
Court of the District OF Columbia to
the Court of Appeals. and after that 1t
may reach the United States Supreme
Court. Judging by precedent, that
step would not make Things any pet
ter for Mr.. Sinclair.
"In his motion for new trial, II
is pointed out by the Brooklyn Daily
Eagle independent Democrattc)
HARRY r. Sinclair cites 90 alleged err.
rors developed in the course of his
trial as reasons why he should re
ceiye another chance to clear himself
Two important errors that so far have
not been cited in this case are Sin
clair's error in leasing Teapot Dome
from Albert =. Fall and his error III
refusing to answer the Senate com
mittee's questions concerning this
transaction" The Hartford Times
independent DemOcratic) holds tna'
sit is not likely that he would have
risled Jail to sustain a mere point Oh
punctilio," and that ut IL clear thai
"The conduct OF the case by Justice
Hitz" remarks the st. Louis POST
Dispatch independently, was such as
from time to time renews the faith OF
the country in It's courts. The non
esty and dispassion Of this judge We're
the outstanding features or the trial
He refused to let two great lawyers
confuse and befuddle the jury" The
Phila delphia Public Ledger dndepend-
emit finds in the results evidence that
"the courts are disposed to extend
rather than limit the Senate's pow
ers." and that Justice HitZ has sharp
ened the teeth of all congressional IN
ouiries." The Dayton Daily News Tin
dependent Democratic) adds. The
last word from the Supreme Court IL
vet to come, but the effort to cut the
claws of the Senate seem, happily
doomed to completes failure.
"This plump and resoundinK Yer
dict" in the opinion OF the Wlchita
Beacon independent Republicanp
| "ought to have q salutary effect upon
those who think they can play fast
and loose with the Government And
the Indianapolis News undepandent
suggests, This vetdict reminds us oi
| the difficulties under which the Gov
eminent seems to labor In its efforts
to protect itself and the people and II
punish those against whom protection
| is needed" The News believes that
| "now that we have the Judgment oi
| the Supreme Court that there "as
| fragrant corruption. fraud and bribery
| in the Fall Doheny transactions, the
people have an additional and very
| powerful reason for pressing for q
general cleanup"
! Harry Sinclair, oil magnate, the
dispatches palata," remarks the Omaha