The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-21
Democrats in Spirited At
tack as Charges Against
Al Are Renewed.
AIR MUDDLE IN STATE
Birds of Feather Speech
Brings Out His Aid
to Steve.
BY PAUL H. MALLON
Omitted Press STAFF Correspondent

WASHINGTON. March 21.-Sen-
ator Arthur Robinson of Indiana.
was the center of a spirited attack,
which aired alleged corruption, in
Indiana, by Democratic members to-
day when he renewed his charge
that Harry F. Sinclair, central figure
in the Teapot Dome scandal, way q
friend and appointee of Governo, AL
Smith of New York.
Robinson admitted on question
ing by Senator Pat Harrison (Dem) g..
Mississippi, that his law firm had
acted for D. G. Stephenson, deposed
Ku-KluX Klan leader in Indiana.
now in the State Penitentiary there.
The counter attack from Demo-
Gratis came after Robinson had as
serted Sinclair was a friend of
Smith and that birds of a feather
flock together"
Senator Barkley (Dem), Ken
lucky, asked if thSt ots. cement went
back to the tUAe in Indiana when
Robinson was appointed by a Gov
ernor who Barkley said later was
accused of corruption
"It has never been said that
Harry Sinclair came into the State, 5"
Robinson retorted
Talk of State Corruption
Harrison asked if it was not true
that the mayor of indianapolis, the
chairman of the Republican State
Committee, the chairman Of Che
Marion County Republican commit
tee and four Indianapolis council
men were either in the penitentiary
or under Indictment
Robinson replied that Harrison's S
question was so inclusive he could
not be sure if Harrison was accurate
But you say birds of a feather
flock together" Senator Dill (Dem.
Washington, broke in.
Does the Senator challenge my
appointment by the Governor of In
diana?" Robinson asked. IF he
does will say that later I was
elected by the people of Indiana"
will the Senator from Indiana
defend the Governor of Indiana?"
asked Senator Harrison.
"I am not here defending the
Governor of Indiana" Robinson
said.
Attorney for Steve
will the Senator from Indiana
say whether he was attorney for D.
c. Stephenson" Harrison then
asked.
That is all a matter of record, ="
Robinson answered, Il will say that
I-Well not 1, but my law firm
acted for Stephenson in some civil
suits"
Charges that Governor Smith re-
ceived campaign contributions from
Harry Sinclair, central figure in the
Teapot Dome Oil Scandal, we're de-
nounced as "vile. vicious and un-
founded" by Senator Copeland
| (Dem), New York, at the opening
Of the Senate session.
Copeland had Smiths reply to
Nye read from the Senate rostrum.
This brought an immediate sarcastic
response from Senator Robinson
(Rep0, Indiana, who had joined
with Chairman Nye of the Senate
Teapot Dome committee Monday in
making the accusations against
! Smith.
Robinson Is Sarcastic
"I do not know how the Gov
ernor may feel about this matter,
except what l have read in the
newspapers" Robinson began, 'but
it seems he is very much exercised.
His words are not so calm and care
full as those of a great statesman
ought to be-"
when I read his letter I could
not help but think what would hap
pen if one of his temperament got
in the White House, charged with
the enormous responsibilities of that
offlce-what kind of language he
would then employ in his dealing
with the people Of the country anc,
the nations of the world.
There would be trouble from the
beginning"