New Britain herald., 1928-12-13
SALT GREEK LEASE
 PR0bED BY SENATE
(Continued from First Page)

AM 1CEEy luAI lutcEsIcw Wcut out q 1t did," Senator Nye lemark- ed, and then read | subsequent statement he had prepared stating that the matter had been before the committee in only . minor way.
 Rem volunteered . statement that he was not protesting against Sec retary West. declaring he believed the secretary had acted with the utmost dispatch" when the depart ment of justice declared the Sim clair contract void.
 Would Net More
 The witness said his company's bid for the Salt Creek royalty oil would have netted about $1,00U more a day than was received un- der the Sinclair contract.
 At the suggestion of Senator Walsh. of Montana, Mr. Work read his long statement which gave . chronological history of all facts in the case.
 Are On Record
 "All the facts and details relating to the renewal of oil contracts or leases made during my administra- tion or prior thereto" he said "are of record and available to this com mittee.
 Tn connection with the renewal of the Salt Creekpurchasing contract and the Cat Creek contract, may ] snv that hath oF xho.n ,ort,,,t. for the sale Of the governments royalty oil were awarded before l became secretary of the interior. Both con- tracts contained renewal clauses.
 "The record shows that unusual attention was given to this matter covering a period of more than eight months following the notifica- tion by the Sinclair Crude Oil Pur- chasing company, on June ', 1927, that it elected to exercise its right to renew under the original contract. several objectors being invited sev- eral times orally and in writing to submit any facts showing illegality or fraud. The record further shows that copies of all papers relating 10 the original bid were furnished to the special government counsel in the oil suits. Messrs. Pomerene and Roberts. and to the Emergency Fleet corporation in 1924. Copies of rec ords were also furnished to the pro- testants and on March 27, 1928, 10 the chairman of the public lands committee of the senate.'
 "The secretary of the interior in the determination of questions like this must depend upon the perma- nent expert legal and technical forces provided for him by congress. In this instance. the action of the de- partment was taken in line of duty openly. by and upon the advice of four officials appointed by the presl- dent and confirmed by the senate. and nine other legal and technical experts of the general land office. the geological survey and the of- flee of the solicitor. The matter involves no irregularity or conceal ment in the renewal. on the part of any officials of the interior depart ment, but is solely a difference of opinion in the construing of the ori- ginal contract and the law.
 Has Record
 T have here a chronological rec ord of steps taken and every detail involved in these transactions. This record I present with the request that it be made 8 part of these pro- ceedings and made availa ble to the public"
 At the outset of today's session, Senator Walsh stated that the Salt Creek contract inquiry had only . ination.
 Included in the correspondence relating to the Salt Creek renewal MT. Work said, was a letter dated last February IT. from Senator Walsh to w. c. Williams. pro- testant to the contract renewal lad vising that he could not understand how the government can escape the obligation to renew the contract and agreeing with the secretary that he is legally bound la renew"
 The Montana senator imm ediately read the full text of that letter which said he thought a renewal necessary except If 1t is treated as void or voidable."
 Asks Opinion
 The work memorandum showed that the interior department asked the department of justice for an opinion on the contract renewal last April 27. two months after the re- newal had been allowed. This action was taken after the protest of the White Eagle oil and Refining Co. had been filed.