The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-03
OIL PROBERS
IN MOVE TO
JAIL STEWART
Colonel Again Refuses to
Give Details of Secret
Petroleum Deal.
ASK SENATE TO ACT
Immediate Arrest Will Be
Demanded, Walsh Tells
Reporters.
ASK SENATE TO ACT
BY PAUL HI. MALLON,
United Press STAFF CorrespOndenk

Nnlteu IEeSS SLaH correspondents
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-The Sen
ate public lands committee moved
today to send Robert w. Stewart,
oil chief. to jail for refusing to an
swer questions about the curious
$50,000,000 secret oil deal Of 1921.
After Stewart again had declined
to give the desired information,
Senator Walsh of Montana an
nounced the committee would meet
this afternoon to take definite ac-
ton.
II shall have no hesitancy in ask
ing the Senate to cite Colonel Ste
wart for contempt" Walsh said.
Does that mean asking the Sen
ate to order his immediate arrest
and COZ dnement?" he was asked by
newspaper men.
Exactly" said Walsh.
Declines to Comment
Stewart again declined today par
ticularly to comment on the SO O00,-
600 profits of the Continental Trad
ing Company of Canada-$233 900
of which was given former Secre-
tary of Interior Fall by H. F. Sin
clair shortly after Fall leased Tea
pot Dome to Sinclair.
Stewart reiterated his Thursday
story. He said he thought it proper
for H. M. Blackmer of the Midwest
Refinining Company to take a COM
mission on the oil if he desired.
He said Blackmer forced him to
pay SITS for Mexia oil which the
Continental had bought the same
day for $l.50 under a contract which
he (Stewart) guaranteed.
Walsh questioned this statement
because Stewart and Blackmer first
had negotiated together to get
A. E. Humphreys Mexia OIL.
Walsh once asked Stewart why
he hesitated in answering certain
questions.
That's my business" Stewart
answered.
JOusts With Senators
Senator Kendrick of Wyoming told
Stewart his story was logical up to
the time of the formation of the
Continental, but that "I am unable
to follow it after that"
Il am sorry" said Stewart. "I am
reluctant to take the position I do. -
Senator Cutting of New Mexico
argued with Stewart about what
went on in his mind when he signed
the Continental contract Let us
assume you are a coed business
man." Cutting said.
well, let's drop that assump-
tion," Stewart retorted.
1--WE could assume you were an
imbecile," Cutting went on.
eyes"
"We could assume that you are
committing perjury now"
whats that? I'm not commit
ting perjury. If you say that I'll
leave this room instantly. The SEN
ate does not employ you to insult
me-"
Stakeholder in Midwest
Cutting withdrew the perjury"
remark and peace was restored.
Chairman Nye elected that Black
mer, the man Stewart says forced
him to pay $1.75 a barrel for the oil,
was president of the Midwest Refin-
ing Company, Standard subsidiary.
At that time the Standard was a
minority stockholder in the Midwest
Didn't he owe his first allegiance
to you?" Nye asked.
81 don't think he owed us any
allegiance which prevented him
from taking a commission of 25
cents a barrel on this OIL" Stewart
answered.
do you know of any one who re-
ceived any Liberty bonds in which
the Continental Trading Company is
supposed to have dealt?" Nye asked.
'For reasons which I have stated
and for other reasons which may
become apparent later, I must re-
spectfully decline to answer" Stew
art answered.