The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-04-16
Defense HARD
HIT BY RULING
At OIL TRIAL
Testimony for Sinclair to
Show Dome Lease Was
Vital Is Banned.
JUDGE HALTS EVIDENCE
DENLY Called Prime Mover
in Making Concession
in Wyoming.

WASHINGTON, April 16.-The
Government scored heavily today in
the oil conspiracy trial of Harry
Sinclair, when Justice Bailey, in
District of Columbia Supreme
Court, excluded defense testimony
tending to show that leasing of
Teapot Dome naval oil reserve was
necessary because of drainage into
other fields.
Justice Bailey upheld the objec-
tions of Owen j. Roberts, special
Government oil prosecutor, that
such testimony was irrevelant, He
ruled it had no direct bearing on
the indictment charging Sinclair
got the Teapot Dome lease through
conspiracy.
George Hoover, defense counsel,
commended that the eliminated evi-
dence was to be used to show that
former Secretary of Navy Edwin
DENLY was the prime factor in the
leasing of Teapot Dome. He said
he was trying to use the drainage
evidence to show there was an
emergency and that the leasing of
the reserve was necessary to pre-
vent the Government from losing
its valuable oil.
Stops Defense Witnesses
Evidence of three defense wit
nesses was stopped by Justice
Bailey on Government objection.
First, E. G. Finney, assistant Secre-
tary of interior, was excused while
testifying in favor Of Sinclair's con-
tention that competitive bidding
was necessary on Teapot Dome;
second, the court ruled out the ex-
hibit by A. C. Veatch, Sinclair Off
cial, of a model of Teapot Dome, to
show the alleged drainage; third,
Carroll Wegeman, former Govern
ment petroleum expert, was pre-
vented from answering questions Of
Defense Attorney Hoover along the
same lines.
The defense noted an exception
to Justice Bailey's ruling against
drainage evidence. Hoover argued
strongly that the defense needed tc
introduce such evidence to lead ur
to the main points in the case.
Justice Bailey merely said "Ex-
ception noted" and ordered the
trial to proceed.
Later, however, Justice Bailey
allowed the model of Teapot Dome
to be brought back into court, to be
used for illustrating the field but
not to be admitted as evidence.
Modifies His Ruling
The court modified its drainage
ruling" by permitting Arthur w
Ambrose, former interior depart
ment petroleum technologist, to ex-
plain what a Saddle" is in the
Wyoming oil fields.
This defense witness explained E
Saddle" was loWlands between two
high points.
Roberts objected to this indirect
testimony Of possible drainage, but
was overruled.
During the entire morning session
a map of the Wyoming oil fields, ir
red, white and blue colors, hung OF
rack near the jury box.
Ire defense reserves occurred after
the Government finally had restec
its case. On opening of court, JUS
tice Bailey said the Government
could not introduce testimony of E
I. Doheny Jr., that he had carried
100000 from his father to Fal
prior to the Naval oil lease transac.
tionS.
The Government was permitted
however, to present two witnesses tt
show that Fall had received $25, ,00t
bonds as fees from Harry F. Sinclair
in 1923, after Fall and Sinclair haC
completed an unsuccessful hunt fo
oil concessions in Russia.
These two witnesses complete tn
prosecutions case.