The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-20
VIOLATION OF
Vote Law BY
c. 0. P. limited
Donations by Corporations
Barred; Prosecution Is
Seen Possible.
WON'T CALL AL SMITH
Any Sinclair Contribution in
N. Y. Outside of
ProberS' Realm.
En- JHiicd Press

EH UHitcd Press
WASHINGTON. March 20--A
violation of the corrupt practices act
may have been shown in two IRE
publican campaign contributions un-
covered at the Chicago Teapot Dome
hearings, Senator Walsh of Montana
said today.
He announced that he plans fur
ther investigation of the $4,000 con-
tribution of the Corn Products Com
pany and the $4,000 contribution OF
the Congress Hotel Corporation, to
ascertain if prosecutions are war
ranted.
Walsh said the corrupt practices
act reStrains any contributions OF
corporations to political campaign
funds.
This was the first intimation that
any prosecutions could be under
taken in connection with the new
investigation, Walsh and others
agreeing that the statute of limita-
tions makes prosecutions generally
inadvisable.
The Corn Products donation was
revealed by George w. Lamb, en-
ploye of the company, and the Con-
gress Hotel gift was made known by
John Burke, hotel manager.
No Call for AL Smith
Governor Al Smith will not be sub
poenaed by the Senate Teapot Dome
Committee to ascertain if Harry Sim
clair, indicted oil man, contributed
literally to his 1920 gubernatorial
Chairman Nye announced
today.
THE committee can not 60 into
the question of whether Smith ap-
pointed Sinclair a State racing COM
missioner or whether Sinclair gave
a campaign contribution TO the New
York Governor Nye said. "Our
investigation is confined to the
bonds Of the Continental Trading
Company"
Senator Robinson (Rep), Indiana,
said he did not intend to let rest his
Sinclair was a liberal Smith
campaign contributor. He announced
he would soon make a speech to the
Senate setting forth what facts he
can privately develop about the mat
ter.
Discount Mystery Package
Nye let it be known the commit
tee would inquire into sale of the
Marion Star IN 1928 by the late
President Harding; and previously
there accumulated mass Of confus-
ing and conflicting information
about the committees mystery
witness"
The committee will seek, Nye said,
to ascertain if any Continental Lib
erty bonds We involved in any way
in the sale the Harding paper
He has no Information that the oil
bonds we're involved, but he believes
q private inquiry into the matter is
in view of unsubstantiated
reports concerning the deal which
have been current in Washington.
Nye now feels the committee may
have been misled by information Il
received from its mystery witr7s
M. B. Frederick, American RAJ "a
Express Company agent at Washing
ton, Ill. Frederick revealed private
iy to the committee he had received
orders from a Sinclair Oil Company
in Chicago TO redirect to
Cd. c. judge pack
age which had been erroniously adj
dressed to Washington, Ill.
Call Sinclair Secretary
The committee now believes the
package may have been Christ
mas gift sent by the Son-in-law OF
Chief Justice Martin of the District
If Columbia Court of Appeals. The
son, who is employed by the Sin
clair Refining Company, Chicago
sent a package of Christmas cards
which was delayed en- route, Martin
said.
The committee will meet Wednes-
Jay TO hear Wilbur Marsh, Waterloo,
Iowa, former treasurer of the Demo
cratic national committee and Mer
-itt Baldwin, Meriden, Conn, former
secretary to Sinclair
Marsh has been called in connection
with the story related to the COM
mittee in Chicago by Irl Hipsley
that the late Fred w. Upham, treas
Irer CT the Republican national
had a tacit understand
ing with Marsh not to file detailed
reports of 1923 party contributions
Marsh has denied the charge.
Baldwin has been called to see II
he knew anything Of Sinclair
arrangements with poll
ticians.
The Robinson charges against
Smith, concerning which Nye said
be also had some private irforma-
ton, climaXed a sensational four
hour debate in the Senate late Mon
LAY, when both Republicans and
Democrats barred their campaign an
mosities over the Teapot Domc
affair.
Will Hays was attacked by Sena-
tor Borah. who declared the Re
publican party was obligated to pay
back it's debt of shame" to Sinclair
and said that no Republican could
win the next election whose clothes
smell Of smut"