The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-10-16
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By International News Service

By International News Service
Everybody around the De-
partment Of Interior in 1922
wanted to make things easy"
for E. l.. Doheny, the Cali
fornia oil magnate, and didn't
want him "to get into
trouble" according to a let
ter produced today by the
prosecution in the bribery
trial of former Secretary of
Interior Albert B. Fall.
The letter was written to Fail
by H. Foster Balm. former director
of the Bureau of Mines. AS
defense witness he was under
going cros-examination as to the
legality of leasing the Elk Hills
naval oil reserve to Doheny. Fail
ia charged with having accepted a
100000 bride for the lease.
Bain's Letter to Fall
Turing that the Attorney Gen
eral he asked for An opinion as to
legality, Balm wrote Fall:
None of us want Mr.. Doheny
to get into trouble and We want
to do everything we can to make
things easy for him"
No opinion was ever asked.
witness under discrimination
Confronted at one stage with his
testimony three years ago in the
Fall-Doheny case, and asked
whether he had said it, the wit
ness replied:
Its a matter of record, but l
would like to change it from my rec
objection this morning
A. w. Ambrose Testifies
Balm, the days first witness. was
followed by A. w. Ambrose, former
petroleum technologist Of the Blu
reau of Mines. He had been in on
MANY of the conferences. Balm had
told Of, and he corroborated his for
mer chiefs testimony.
Ambrose took the data concerning
the bids on Elk Hills to Three
Rivers, New Mexico, for Falls pc.
rusal On cross examination,
Roberts developed he had also taken
along an expert report Of his own
which was in opposition to the
Doheny bid.
MORE
Before adjournment Of court this
afternoon, Frank J. Hogan, chief
defense attorney. expects to reach
Admiral J. K. Robson, and tomor-
rows session will see f. L. Doheny.
the California oil magnate, on the
stand.
1t was Robson who, in the con.
gpiracy trial of Fall and Doheny
came forward and literally sought to
take full responsibility for the lease
of the Elk Hills naval oil reserves
on his shoulders. although the Gov
eminent contends the ex-Cabinet
officer and the oil baron connived
over it.
Fine Deal, Says Admiral
Robson has defended the lease as
one which was exceptionally bene.
fetal to the Government, and he
will tell how in his opinion and that
Of other high naval officials, it be-
came necessary to throw the re-
serve open to private exploita ton
to prevent drainage from the out
side
Doheny will tell about the 800. 900
transaction that forms the basis Of
the present trial. Dohenv will tell
the judge and jury it was an UNI
secured loan from one old friend
to another" and had no bearing on
his acquisition of Elk Hills.
Defense Prolonged
Presentation of the defense has
been heightened at least several
days by the action of Justice HitZ
in permitting the Government to
close its case with the introduction
of evidence about Falls dealings
with Harry f. Sinclair, who got the
Teapot Dome lease. In cash and
liberty bonds, Fall received a total
OF 1904, 500 from Sinclair, which the
defense says represents the pur-
chase price Of one-third interest in
Falls New Mexico ranch, but
branded as another bride by the
prosecution.
Prosecutor Owen !. Roberts put it
in the record to show Falls state
of mind at the time Of leasing the
oil reserves, and Hogan will have
to controvert it with what. in effect.
will be a defense of the Fall-Sinclair
deal within the defense of the cur
rent trial.