The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-23
Robinson Launches G. O. P.
Effort to Smear 'OiI'
on Democrats.
SENATOR SPEAKS TODAY
Address Expected to Start
Mud Singing Battle
on Floor.
BY PAUL r.. MALLON


WASHINGTON, March 23.-A Re-
publican effort to smear Democrats
with "oil'' was promised in the SEN
ate today by Senator Arthur Robin
son OF Indiana, who announced he
would tell facts indicating certain
Republican officials were not the
only ones the oil millionaireS ap-
preached.
Robinson declared he had dug up
evidence indicating Democrats were
responsible for the law under which
the naval reserves were leased to oil
men by former Secretary of Interior
Fall.
His speech will mark the first
stand by Republicans against re
cent persistent Democratic attacks
upon Republican leaders for their
alleged part in Secreting the $160,000
campaign contribution from Harry
Sinclair, lessee of Teapot Dome.
Robinson also promised to bare
more facts about the relationship
which he said existed socially be-
tween Governor Al Smith of New
YOTK ana Sinclair.
Sinclair's Aid Testifies
Merritt Baldwin, confidential Sec
retary to Sinclair in 1922, 1928 and
1924, told the Teapot Dome commit
tee in it's hearing today how Sinclair
sent $4,000 to former Secretary of
Interior Fall to enable Fall to go to
Russia for Sinclair.
"Sinclair told Colonel Zevely to
get Fall to act as sort of outside
counsel" Baldwin said. Sinclair
thought Fall was the best man for
the job"
Baldwin said Archie Roosevelt,
son of the late President, was in
correct in his 1923 testimony be-
fore the committee when he related
a conversation with j. D. Wahlberg,
indicating a $4,000 check had been
sent to the superintendent of Falls
New Mexico ranch by Sinclair.
The check was in reality sent to
Sam Hildreth, trainer for Sinclair's
racing stable, the witness added.
Baldwin said he knew the check
was for Hildreth, who received an
annual salary of $4,000 and 10 per
cent of the pursewinnnings.
Fall Story Already Told
Robert w. Stewart, chairman of
the Standard Oil Company of In
diana, and Will Hays, former chair
man of the Republican national
committee, visited the Sinclair Of
fees frequently, Baldwin said. Sin
clair's correspondence with Hays
was largely about getting post
master appointed in some town or
another" Baldwin added Hays ad-
mitted soliciting $160000 from Sin
clair to pay off the 1920 Republican
campaign deficit.
After hearing Baldwin the COM
mittee adjourned until 1890 a. m.
Saturday.
1t was deemed unlikely that the
committee would seek Albert B.
Falls testimony at Ell Paso, Texas,
since it was learned that what pur-
ports to be his story of the Teapot
Dome naval oil reserve lease will be
presented when Sinclair stands trial
on the conspiracy indictment here
next month.
In court proceedings Thursday,
when Justice Jennings Bailey
granted Fall an indefinite postpone
ment and decided Sinclair should
stand trial alone April 4, Sinclair's
lawyers presented an affidavit by
Reginald w. Ragland of Missouri, Of
counsel for Sinclair, who with the
oil man recently spent several days
with Fall at Ell PaSo.
Tell Of Bond Loan
Ragland's affidavit sets forth
Falls story as it was supposedly
told him and Sinclair. This was to
the effect that Fall had assented
reluctantly and only at the in
sistence of President Harding" to
promulgation of the executive order
under which Teapot Dome was
leased to Sinclair, and that the de-
cision to open up Teapot and Elk
Hills reserves was made by navy
officials and not by Fall.
Regarding Sinclair's payment of
$233, 900 Liberty Bonds to Fall, the
affidavit represented Fall as saying
this was a business matter I'M
connected with the lease.