The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-20
WILSON'S AID
IS DEFENDED IN
SENATE DEBATE
G. o. P. Leaders Join Jim
Reed in UNFOLDING Name
of Late Secretary.
LINKS AL AND SINCLAIR
State Junior Member Hints
Oil Man Contributed
to Smith Fund.
LINKS AL AND SINCLAIR
BIZ Times Special

By Times Special
WASHINGTON, March 20.-Sen-
ator Arthur R. Robinson was re-
buked in the Senate late Monday
by leading Republicans as we'll as
by Senator Reed DEM, Missouri,
for questions understood by these
men to refer sliyhtingly to the
reputation of the late Franklin K.
Lane, Democratic Secretary Of the
Interior.
He got of more lightly for his
questions as to whether Harry F.
Sinclair had not contributed to the
campaign funds OF Governor Al
Smith of New York in 1920, and
had not held office Tor four sue
ceeeding years as a member of the
New York racing commission by
appointment Of Smith.
Senator Reed Of Missouri. an old
antagonist of Robinson in Senate
debate, referred to the latter ques-
tons only as attempts to drag a
red herring across Republican re-
spcnsibility for the Teapot Dome
scandal.
Defends Name Of Lane
But to Robinson's questions about
Lane, Reed answered comparing
Senator Bcarh Of Idaho with Rob
inson:
The great Senator from Idaho
(Eorah) faces facts as those do not
WHO inpugn the integrity Of the
dead whose yoiceleSs lips can not
speak in defense Of an honorable
reputation
Robinson has asked in effect if
Lane had not been fred" by Presi-
dent Wilson after disagreeing with
the latter upon the wisdom of leas-
ing certain parts Of the California
oil reserves, and had taken job
with the Sinclair interests at $4,000
a year.
Senator David A. Reed Of Penn
sylvania, a leader among the con-
servative Republicans, sprang to his
feet.
mo word in the testimony be-
fore the committee Or act in Lanes
administration could be held against
him. 1 would say this if he were
alive as I do now that ne is dead"
he cried
Senator Hiram Johnson Of Cali
fornia followed Reed. Fl
Il went to college with Franklin
Lane and knew him from boyhood,
and he was a decent. outstanding
American citizen all his life" he
said.
Bill Passed in 1929
81 was merely asking the ques-
ton" said Robinson.
Il should like to know further if
the legislation under which the oil
leasing transitions occurred wasn't
passed during a Democratic admin
issration?"
Senator Walsh of Montana, say
ing he didn't see what relevancy the
question had. answered:
1T was passed in 1920 when Pres
ident Wilson was in the White
House and the Republicans we're in
power in Congress. But the Su-
preme Court has pointed out the oil
lands we're aliented in spite Of and
not because Of the law. Mr.. Lane
took employment with E. L.
Dohery."
What comfort would the Senator
from Indiana get in/connection with
this gigantic corruption and fraud
in his party if the statements about
Lane were true?" asked Senator
Bratton (Dem) Of New Mexico.
L despise corruption in either
party" returned Robinson.
Robinson then suggested that the
Teapot Dome committee call Gov
ernor Smith to question him about
Sinclair and the racing commission
appointment, asking if Sinclair
didn't hold the Office of racing COM
missioner through all the years with
which the committee is dealing
Hints Sinclair Aid to Al
The Senator from Indiana is
making an unreasonable request.
That is not the committees province
unless it is shown that Governor
Smith was involved in the oil scan
DIAL" returned Senator Nye, chair
man of the committee.
The Governor of New York might
explain" said Robinson, "a lot of
things might be brought to light
which might show that on the DEM
ocrat side people working in the
dark knew more about the Cont
mental Oil bonds than they are will
ing to testify"
when a man gets up here on
this floor and makes such inSinua-
tons, don't know but what he is
going beyond his privileges on the
floor" said Senator James Reed.
Surely the Senator doesn't mean
Governor Smith turned over State
property to Sinclair?"
L don't know" answered Robin
son. There is much circumstantial
evidence that Smith should be called
I1or0,-O tho oittoo -