The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-04
OIL MAGNATE
GETS FREEDOM
ON $1,000 BOND
Senate Sergeant at Arms
Takes Standard Oil Head In.
20 Custody Last Night
WAS TO APPEAR AT NOON
Lawmakers Surprised at Sud-
den Turn In Plans-Senate
Galleries Were Packed

Warrington, Feb. l.-R)-Facin
summary punishment by the senate
for Aie defiance Of its oil committee,
Rebert w. Stewart, chairman Of the
board Of the Standard Oil company
Of Indiana, took his case to court to-
day and obtained his release from
arrest on . writ Of habeas corpus.
With tho hour Of noon, the time
set for his appearance before the
senate bar, almost at hand, the oil
magnate threw his legal forces into
the fray and they emerged from the
chambers Of Justice Bailey Of the
District Of Columbia supreme court
with IN order which called on the
senate sergeant ct arms to release
Stewart, who was placed under bond
of q, 200 and order to appear again
next Tuesday.
Arguments viii Be Heard
At that time arguments will be
heard as to whether he shall retain
his liberty.
Coincident with the swift move-
ments in the oil case down to when
the senate oil committee sought to
obtain from w. S. Fitzpatrick, pres
ident Of the Prairie Oil and Gas
company. evidence Of the disposition
of the profits Of the Continental
Trading company Of Canada, which
Stewart had risked jail to withhold.
Called as . witness pending the
expected appearance Of the Standard
Oil man before the senate to face .
contempt charge because Of his re-
fusal. to answer questions, Fitzpat-
rick gave the committee it, first
clue o. to the profits Of the Conti-
mental, which bought American oil
for $3.50 . barrel and sold it back
to Stswart's and Harry F.. Steelaaks
companies for $l.76.
: The witness said James E. O'Neil,
who fled to Europe after the oil
scandal broke, had turned over to
his company $500 900 Of Continental
Liberty bonds in 1925, .but that
O'Neil said he knew nothing Of Tea
pot Dome, whose lease to Sinclair
started the present investigation.
O'Neil was former president Of
the Prairie. O'Neil felt the profits
were que tue SI81ISes ue S0lus
Senators Surprised
The success Of Stewart in obtain
ing the writ was . distinct surprise
in the senate. So sure were those
interested in the case thee that the
oil man would be on hand ct noon
that all Of the precedents had been
placed on hand 50 that there would
be no slip in procedure In this ur,-
usual case. A chair even had been
placed for the prisoner.
The senate galleries were crowded
long before the me for convening
and the sudden turn IN affairs sent
many away disappointed.
The $1,000 bono. Of Stewart, hin,-
self reported to be millionaire, was
signed by Robert F. Fleming, Jr,
president Of the Riggs National
Bank, one Of the largest financial In
stitutions in the east.
Arrested at Hotel
Stewart, who i chairman Of the
board Of the lndisna Standard, WAS
arrested ct his hotel last night soon
after the senate, with dramatic
swiftness, ordered It by adopting .
resolution presented BY Senator
Walsh, Democrat, Montana. prose-
cutor Of renewed oil inquiry BY the
lands committee.
Promptly then, David s. Barry,
the sergeant at arms, and his dep
uty, John McGrain, went to
Stewart's hotel, the Willard. Be-
hind locked doors they took the oil
man into custody. Il was over IN Z
few minutes. Barry enlarged but
McCrain stayed In the room, - is
customary in such cases when iume-
diate transfer to . jail is not made.
Barry announced that Stewart
had been mice and agreeable" and
swould make no trouble" He said
(Cnmtinued ON paeo tVol