Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-20
SINCLAIR TO FACE
INQUIRY IN SENATE
Oil King to Appear Before
Committee, Counsel Says
in Assai|ing Action.

Harry F. Sinclair. one Of the six re-
spondents now on trial before Justice
Frederick L. Siddons on the contempt
charge growing out of the Teapot Dome
mistrial, will appear before the Senate
public lands committee Tuesday in an
swer TO its subpoena. This assurance
was given today in the oil magnate's
absence by his counsel. Col. Martin w.
Littleton. who characterized the action
of the Senate investigating body as
shameless procedure" in view OF the
approaching retrial of the oil conspiracy
case
While the oil magnate will answer
the summons Of the Senate committee.
as he did four years ago, 1t Is not liXeIy
he will testify on any matters concern
ing the probe into the $4,000, 900 profit
OF the Continental Trading Co, part
of which. paid in Liberty bonds. were
traced TO the bank account OF Albert
B. Fall. former Secretary OF the IN
terror, who leased the naval oil lands
10 Sinclair.
Already Under Sentence.
Whether MIR. Sinclair will claim i'm
munity on the ground that his tesu-
nony might incriminate him Is q mat
ter 10 be dealt with when he goes be-
fore the committee. Col littleton de-
clared Sinclair Is already under
three month prison sentence Tor con-
tempt OF the Senate committee during
the previous investigation OF the Teapot
Dome affair, and this sentence is now
under appeal before the District Court
of Appeals.
Mr. Sinclair was not In attendance
at the contempt proceedings today
He Is In New York. having been ex-
cused the day before yesterday by Jus
tice Siddons.
The Senate committee has called Tor
the papers of the corporation relating
TO the Continental Trading Co, and II
Is understood that Mr., Sinclair VIII
will produce all papers and records
bearing on the Teapot Dome case Tor
which the committee has called.
Political Ruse Seen.
Col Littleton has denounced the ac-
ton OF the Senate committee in sum-
moning Sinclair as a political ruSe"
designed 10 prejudice him and his
case before the country"
The retrial of the Teapot Dome case
is set for April before Justice Sid
dons' court Failure of the special
Government oil counsel 10 make out a
case in the Continental Trading Co.
dea threatened collapse OF the previ-
Gus trial before the jury surveillance
charges brought IL to an abrupt end
on November , last.
NJ. T.. Everhart. Pueblo. Colo. banker,
and son-in-law OF Albert II. Fall. has
been summoned To appear Tuesday be-
fore the Senate committee which Is TO
reopen the naval oil lease inquiry.
Twice Refused to Testify.
Everhart twice has refused to testify
I'm civil and criminal cases growing out
Of the lease of Teapot Dome to Harry
r. Sinclair taking the position that
to do so would make him incrtminate
himself
The Government contends the Colo
RADIO banker received $230. 500 IN Liberty
bonds which Sinclair paid Fall IN con-
nection with the leasing Of the Wyom-
ing naval oil reserve. These bonds were
part of those bought by the Continental
Trading Co, Ltd. OF Canada. out OF
the $4,000 900 OF protit II made In the
purchase and release OF oil from the
Texas fields Of the late A. t. Hum
phreya.
Beaides Everhart. the committee also
has summoned A. Steinmetz of New
York secretary of the Sinclair Consoii-
dated on Co and assistant secretary
of the Sinclair Crude on Purchasing Co