Evening star., 1928-04-18


the witness replied he saw him only
dozen times, Roberts asked
Did you attend any poker parties he
gave?"
Robson thought for a moment and
replied that he did short time after
the lease was signed at the Willard Ho-
tel IN April 1922, adding It vas the
only time he played poker with Sin
clair.
Roberts then produced a letter dated
December 20. 1922. from Robson to
Sinclair. which contained this para
graph: Thanking you for your very
pleasant evening in which / learned
one else and after reading this 70 the
witness. Robson replied that the oc-
casion referred 10 must have been the
time he played when he answered the
previous question.
Asked by Roberts what he meant
by telling Sinclair the latter taught
him more about poker than any one
else. Robson smiling replied:
Il saw him hold a winning hand
against his brother. throw IL down and
say. The pots yours I never saw
that done before"
Were you a guest on Sinclair's pri-
Yate carr" asked Roberts
Yes. but in connection with an In
Spection trip. and 1 paid my own
way"
did you go to the Lotus Club as
dinner guest Of Sinclair about the
time you were in conference in con-
nection with an option on Navy oils?"
L did replied Robson.
Gives Time Of Decision.
Roberts than covered numerous mat
ter testified to yesterday BY Robson
with respect TO conferences with Fall
and then asked:
When was 1t determined that Sin
clair should have the lease?"
1T was practically determined in
March-early in March--when they
started drawing up final forms Of the
lease"
Further questioning brought from
Robson the statement that IL was be-
tween the lst and 10th Of March. Rob-
ison amplifled this answer by stating
that at all times he kept in mind IL any
propositions were received from any
other source that would give better
terms than Sinclair offered the lease
would not go 70 Sinclair.
Roberts then brought out from a let
ter which Robson had prepared 10 the
Interior Department that Robson had
suggested the lease be granted by public
competition and that Fall had inserted
/ "or otherwise" after this phrase. Robi-
son said he told Fall the Navy was ae-
customs6 TO asking for bids and Fall
said that was all right, bat the Interior
Department. in handling lands. fire.
Quently made better deals without CON-
petition. Fan further told Robson that
the method OF negotiation he would fol-
low would give better results than the
method Of competition.
DENLY Examined Lease.
Fall gave Robson 70 understand. be-
tween January 81 and April :, when
the lease was signed. that he had at
tempted 10 obtain propositions from
various companies. including the Gulf
Texas and Pan-American companies
but said he had been unable TO get a
proposition from the Gulf and Pan
American organizations. Robson him.
self declared he barred the Standard
Oil companies and Fall acceded TO this
request
Secretary Of the Navy Edwin Denby
had no negotiations with Sinclair a.
the lease was being drawn I'D or nc
conferences on the subject with Fall
10 RobiSonS own PERSONAL knowledge
The witness did say. however. tha;
DENLY examined the lease In It's final
form and made several changes in the
verblage,
Returning 60 the Texas oil Co. prop
oSition. Roberts asked Robson II Fall
told him the Texas Co had refused
10 build steel tank storage: Il Fail
had asked the company 20 build
storage out OF royalty oil. II the COM
pany had refused 20 build a pipe line,
and that If il was in the mood 20 do
so II production warranted. and 20 all
these questions Robson answered In
the negative.