Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-03
OIL MANS ARREST
|. FAVORED BY WALSH
Senator Urges Contempt
Proceeding After Stewart
Defies Committee.

By the Associated Press
After Robert w. Stewart, chairman of
the board of the Standard Oil Co. of
Indiana. had again defied the Senate
oil committee today in refusing to an
swer questions. Senator Walsh of Mon
tana. the committee prosecutor. said
he favored asking the Senate to cite
him for contempt and order his arrest
Stewart was ordered to remain here
until tomorrow.
All the battering Of Senator Walsh
ana the persuasiveness of Chairman
Nye and other members OF the Senate
Oil committee failed to shake the de-
termination of Stewart TO refuse To
answer the questions concerning dispo-
sition of profits of the Continental
Trading Co of Canada
Baiks at Questions.
Under a grueling examination. In
which various members around she COM
mittee table took turns In examining
him, Stewart talked freely up to one
point. and that point was on whether
he had discussed the profits OF the
Harry F. Sinclair There he raised
surmount, try as IL might.
To each rephrased question touch
ing this phase Of the case. Stewart
replied that he respectfully declined
10 answer on grounds previously
given-that this story must first be
told to Judge and jury. He is
witness in the Fall-Sinoiair case. grow
ing out of the lease of Teapot Dome
10 Sinclair The Government charges
that $3.50. 900 Of the Continental profits
went to Fall
Before Stewart was excused from the
stand. Chairman Eye told him he must
understand that the committee must
reach the conclusion that 1t was pos
sible that he and his associates knew
the purposes of the Continental before
it was organized. The company. whose
good faith was guaranteed by Stewart
and Sinclair. bought $4,000 900 barrels
Of oil for 81 90 barrel and sold 1t back
TO Stewart and Sinclair companies for
si75.
Queried About Bonds.
Have you any statement to make
about that?" Nye asked.
Stewart was silent
One OF the final questions asked the
witness dealt with the angle OF the
case involving whether any of the
profits went TO political fund
do you know anything about any
OF these bonds going TO political
party?" Stewart was asked
NO. SIR" he replied.
Before Stewart appeared, Beman G.
Dawes. brother of the Vice President:
former Senator Thomas OF Colorado
and A. E. Humphreys, jr. OF Denver
were placed on the stand TO dispute
his testimony that a price of $i75 for
the Continental OIL had been men,
toned In their presence at the confer
ence in New York where the famous
deal was cons,Immated
After preliminary sparring between
Walsh and the witness when Stewart
was recalled. the prosecutor finally
asked:
Did you know anything about the
purchase Of Liberty bonds by the Conti-
nental3"
Repeating what have said before. ="
the witness replied: Il don't think !
should answer"
Were you ever consulted about the
purchase Of these bonds2"
Il reiterate what said before"
Were YOU ever consulted about the
disposition OF the bondsp"
Stewart hesitated
why did you hesitate?" Walsh ask
ed
THAT is none OF your business, Een-
atOr. nor lis 1t any Of the business OF the
committee. / say that with all defer
eHce."
| Silent on Liberty Bonds.
Then the Standard official again de-
! clined 10 answer.
Walsh prOpounded series OF ques-
Continued on Page s. Column 81