Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-18

Japanese Peril Plea Caused
Pearl Harbor Tanks Work,
Fall Jury Told.

Edward L. Doheny, millionaire oil man
OF Los Angeles, from whom the Govern
ment charges that Albert B. Fan ac-
cepted a $1,000 bribe In releasing of
the Elk Hills Naval Oil Reserve in 1921.
and the principal witness for the de-
Tense of the trial of the former Secre-
tary of the Interior, told his story to the
jury today.
1t was much the same story that the
72-year-old oil man told two years ago
to another jury during the conspiracy
trial, although related under different
circumstances. At that time Doheny
though he himself Is under a bribery
indictment. his role today was solely that
OF, witness.
The friend of the former cabinet on
Ger dramatically described the patriotic
appeal made to him in 1921 by the then
Rear Admiral John K. Robson, chief
of Naval Engineers, which got him SO
worked up over the Navy's preparations
to resist 3 feared Japanese invasion
from the Pacific, he again told the
jury that he consented to undertake
construction of fuel oil tanks at Pearl
Harbor to strengthen the Hawaiian base
against possible attack.
Witness in Tears.
At one time during his testimony Mr..
Doheny broke down and wept when
mention was made of his son, the late
Edward L. Doheny, ir., who was killed.
some months ago. Counsel had asked
him how he first became acquainted
with Admiral Robson Mr.. Doheny
said Robson had come tc him about
the Pearl Harbor project because he
had known him when. At this point
the witness faltered, and finally stam-
mered, Through an officer of his ship"
The officer was Dohenys son, who
had served with the former admiral
during the World War. Unable to con-
tinue through tears that rolled down
his cheeks. the witness paused There
was dead silence for moment as
he tried to recover his compoSure. Mrs.
Doheny, who sat among the spectators,
was visibly affected. Frank j. Hogan,
chief defense counsel led the witness
of on another track and the incident
passed over.
Fall Requested Loan"
Just a few minutes before Doheny
had related to the jury the 44-year
friendship with Fall and the latter's
personal request for loan of 500, 900
with which to safeguard the water
rights of his New Mexican properties by
the purchase of Harris Ranch.
Inc W1GOeSS Te1aLeO simply also the
story of the mutilated note which Fall
had given in return for what the de-
fense claims was a loan between two
old friends. Mrs. Carrie EstelIe Doheny,
previously had told how her husband
had torn Falls signature from the note
asking her to guard 1t carefully so that.
in event of their deaths, the executors
of the estate would not press Fall for
payment.
During his dramatic recital of the
supposed Japanese menace, Doheny, in
his agitation, turned to the jury and
said with emphasis, ut was a real
menace, too."
He told how Robinson had described
the dangerous situation of the fleet,
of mobilization orders and of the hor-
rors that an invansion would incur.
Oil in Secret Storage.
Doheny said the naval officer told
him Japan had millions of barrels of
oil in secret storage at the time.
"It was fortunate that the Japanese
earthquake destroyed this oil," the w.t.
ness remarked, turning toward the jury.
The California earthquake occurred iE
1923. two years after Doheny's confer
ence with the naval officer who had
charge of negotiations of the Pearl Har-
Dor oil contract for the department.
The courtroom was crowded today IN
anticipation of Mr.. Doheny's appear
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