Imperial Valley press., 1930-03-22
Millionaire Oil Man Is
Found Not Guilty of
Bribing Fall
ENDS LEGAL ACTION
All Cases Arising From
Teapot Dome Scandal
Now Concluded
By HAROLD o. THOMPSON
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Mar. 90. U.H-
Edward l.. Doheny, oil multi-mil-
lionairc from California, was ac-
quilted by a jury today of bribing
"A cabinet officer.
The verdict frees the old oil man
of the last charge against him. The
Indictment had been vending five
years. All the other criminal charg-
IS have been finally disposed of as
far as the trial courts are con
cerned
The Jury of nine men and three
women brought its verdict at 1907
p. IN. after one hour and five min
utcs of dclibcration on the com
plicated ease, which was placed be
fore il in rapid fire order in nine
DAYS. This was the shortest of the
major oil trials.
The Jurors have been locked up
night and day under constant guard
since the trial started, March -.
Doheny had been charged with
giving Former Secretary of the In
terror Albert Il. Fall 100000 to aid
in obtaining the valuable Elk Hills
oil lease.
Despite the admonition of the
court for silence and no dcmonstra
tion there was an outburst of cheer
ing when Chclsy H. Ray, foreman
of the jury, announced the verdict
Dohcnv, still shaken from the re-
cent tragedy in which his son, who
had carried the 100000 to Fall,
tary. was ovcrioyed at the passing
of the heavy cloud which has hung
over him for six years.
The government has sought 10
put him behind prison bars since the
day when he appeared before the
Senate Teapot Dome committee and,
his ruddy face and twinkling eyes
grave for once, admitted having
given Fall the mysterious 100000
TO help out an old friend who had
gone through hardships with him on
the western prairie years ago.
"I'm just an impulsive old pros
pector," Dohcny said in explaining
his act at that time.
Norris Sarcastic
Senator Norris Republican, Ne
hraska, today upon hearing the yer
diet, repeated the statement he had
made after the previous acquittals
of other principals in he oil eases;
"This is further proof you can't put
800, 600, 900 in Jail"
This was the last of the major oil
eases, growing out of the Teapot
Dome investigation begun by the
senate at the insistcncc of the late
Senator LaFollcttc, Repu blican
Wisconsin. Both the Teapot Dome
and Elk Hills leases have been in
validated by the United States SUI
preme court in civil actions on
grounds of fraud.
Harry +, Sinclair, oil man, who
obtained the Teapot Dome nava
reserve lease from FAN about the
time Dohcny received the Califor
mia lease, was acquitted of conspir
acy charges.
After the verdict Dohcny issucC
the following statements:
"Twicc now American iurics have
found me guiltcss of charges made
against me. Three years ago a jury
said | was not guilty of conspirinl
to dcfraud my government To-day
a jury has said that ! did not in
tend to bribc my friend, Albert b
Fall, when he was secretary of the
interior.
"My earnest hope now is that thi
ends the relentless prosecution b,
which | have been bounded for si'
years, and that | will be allowed t.
spend the evening of my life il
peace"
1t was learned only one ballot wa
taken. 1t was unanimous vote TO
acauittal.
Doheny and Mrs. Doheny shool
hands with each Juror. Mrs. Doheny
said to each with tears in her eyes
"Thank You and God bless you.
Justice Ilitz took the bench n
i2:o6 p. m. to receive the verdict.
Mrs. Edward l.. Dohcny, wife o
the acquitted defendant, gave
gasp Of JOY and buried her face i
her hands. Other members of tn
Dohcny family cried out with relic
and many spectators burst int
clapping. ml