Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-28
REVEALS OIL TALK
WITH PRESIDENT
Witness Tells Lobby Commit
tee He Consulted With Hoo
yer on Pending Tariff.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Testimony that he had talked with
President Hoover and a number of Sen
ators with regard to the proposed tariff
on oil was made today before the Sem
ate lobby committee by Writ Franklin,
spokesman for group of independent
oil producers, but the witness asserted
that he did not consider the duties
sought q political proposition.
He made this assertion after testify
ing that he did not reply to a letter
from Representative Stone, Republican.
OF Oklahoma, which informed him that
Representative Tilson, the Republican
moor leader, had said he would assist
in getting an oil tariff If the Oklahoma
and Texas delegations lined up for it.
Franklin, who Is president of the
American Independent Petroleum As
ISOLATION, said his organization had
raised $4,000 to advocate q duty of
81 . barrel on crude OIL and so cents
on refined oil in the pending tariff
Pill. He continued that the suggestion
had been made that the Oil, sugar
and lumber interests combine forces
but added that his group had en-
ployed no one to represent them and
had decided to present their own case.
The support Of the Colorado SEN
ators was obtained for the oil tariff,
Franklin testified, after q telegram was
read which said that the Colorado at
torney general had failed In an effort
to enlist their support.
Franklin testified that he talked
with Claudius H. Huston, chairman of
the Republican national committee, and
added: He didn't say anything He
just listened" and telegram sent to
the oil representative by Representative
Garner, Democrat, Of Texas, said it
was believed that both Texas Senators
would vote for the proposed oil tariff.
Letter Presented.
Walsh read letter from Representa-
tive SpFoul OF Kansas to Franklin on
February Is which said:
II thought you might be interested in
knowing that W. s. Fitzpatrick Of the
Prairie Oil Gas Co. has been for some
time in washington, and while here has
been stopping with National Republican
Chairman Huston and while stopping
there has dined with the President.
You understand, perhaps, that my
predecessor, Mr.. p. p. Campbell, is one
Of the lobbyists for the oil company,
and ! think, likewise, Mr.. Frank Mon.
dell OF Wyoming. You will remember
that when I succeeded Mr.. Campbell
he was chairman of the rules commit
tee, committee which at that time had
2 very tremendous power over legisla-
ton. The committee still has a great
power, but not 50 much.
"Mr. Mondell, as you may know, is
the ex-Republican floor leader of the
House, and has the reputation of being
one OF the high-powered lobbyists for
big business.
Suggests Advertising.
"You probably know that Mr.. Walter
Newton, former Representative from
Minnesota, is the Presidents executive
contact man. 1t has occurred to me
that . little advertising might possibly
aid the oil tariff cause"
Walsh also read Franklin's reply
which, Walsh said, indicated that the
witness was not greatly interested"
In response to Q question, Franklin,
referring to the reported combination
considered between the sugar, lumber
and oil forces, explained: 1T has been
suggested that II Senators wanted an
item protected that it would help to
unite forces"
He said, however, that he knew moth
ing of a letter sent by Charles Flint
OF Tulsa, Okla, to q Mr.. Brown, who
was represented as member of
Franklin'S group. This letter spoke of
talking to Senator Dale of Vermont"
and also of seeing Senator Nye of
North Dakota. It added that Nye
said that he had not made up his
mind yet"
Mrs. Willebrandt Mentioned,
A telegram was read which discus
sed the employment of Mabel Walker
Wtllebrandt, former Assistant ATTORNEY
General, but Franklin said that nothing
was done about 1t.
He said Cornelius G. Hamilton of
New York, president Of the Sun Ray
Oil Corporation, came to the Washing
ton headquarters and said he had been
to see Mrs. Willebrandt and that he
thought she could be employed for
5000 to $4,000.
She was represented as being friendly
with the President and with many of
the Senators, Franklin said, adding that
Hamilton had arranged an interview
which was not kept.
He asserted he had opposed any plan
to employ ltside help to present the
tariff views Of the association, insisting
that members do this work.
The truth Is all that believe neces-
sary," he said.
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