The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-02
THOMAS WALSH
DIES ON TRAIN;
STUNS CAPITAL
End Comes as Senator Is on
Way to Washington
With Bride.
Continued From Page One)

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brilliant legal and political career.
Washington looked upon Walsh
as one of the strongest members Of
the incoming cabinet.
AS leading figure in the SEN
ates investigation of the Harding
administration oil scandals, the
somber Montana senator established
reputation as a relentless prose-
cutor. Long before that he was
known as an outstanding authority
on constitutional law.
Had Brilliant Career
The capital also had looked for
ward to the return of Walsh and
his Cuban bride as an event which
would add to the brilliance of official
society during the Roosevelt admin
istration
The senator's marriage just a few
days ago to Sonora Maria Moves
Truffin, widow of wealthy Cuban
had been surprise to most of his
friends and they had planned many
celebrations on the couples return
Walsh was born at Two Rivers
Wis, on June II, 1859. His parents
were poor and he earned his own
way from boyhood. He was gradu-
ated from the University of Wiscon-
sin law school in 1884 and went to
Montana to practice in 1890.
Dignified and Austere
After some dabbling in politics,
he ran for congress in 1906 and was
defeated. He tried for the senate in
1909, but was defeated again I'm
daunted, he ran again, was elected
in 1918, and had served continuously
since then.
Not a man in the senate was more
dignifed or more austere than the
senior Montana senator. His long
eyebrows and dropping mustache
gave him fierce expression that |
added little to the comfort of wit
nesses whom he faced across a COM
mittee table. He rarely smiled dur
ing senate debates. But at social
functions, which he enjoyed, he was
charming conVersationalist.
First Wife Died in 1917
Senator Walsh's first wife died in
1917 tWenty-seyen years after their |
marriage.
Socially, he was somewhat of
bridge fan. He dressed neatly but |
plainly, spurning frock coats, flow
ing neckties and double breasted
white vests that some senators seek
to think the job requires.
He spent most Of his summers in |
a cabin beneath the snowy peaks of
Glacier national park in Montana. |
In conversation he was courteous
but none too warm, cycling his in
tervleWer quizzically over his glasses.
The senate's greatest investiga-
tor, Walsh used no tricks or ca
Jolery in crosS-eXamination
Those pale blue eyes, set in
serious and expressionless face.
bored into the witness from across
the table while questions are hurled
at him as by a machine gun.
Made Men Exile Selves
Men exiled themselves in Europe
to escape that relentless ordeal. |
Another man-Will H. Hays-bit his
lips until the blood came. Hundreds
went under That searching gaze and
few have emerged feeling very COM
Portable.
Hoover has been likened to a
bear, Borah to great bear, Norris
to an owl.
WalSh-he of the frosty hair and
icy eyes-made one think of
Siberian tiger.
Like Al Smith, Walsh was a
Catholic, but there all similarity
ended.
Mr. Walsh had experience with
oil ever since he was 10 or II years
old, having been employed as a boy
to light the street lamps in his home
town of Two Rivers, Wis.
Walsh won local fame as a law
yer in suits against Montanas big
copper companies and this led to a
political career.
The World war found Senator
Walsh one Of President Wilson's
most trusted supporters and closest
advisers.
In 1916, he managed Wilson's
western campaign from head
quarters in Chicago
Remained Wilson'S Friend
After the war he took a leading
part in the senate fight for Ameri-
can entry into the League of Ma
tons and other measures that VIII
son desired.
At one time or another, Wilson
broke with nearly every one of his
closest advisers-but Walsh re-
NAMED his friend throughout.
In 1922 and 1923 came the first
rumblings of the oil scandal and
Walsh started on the road that was
to make him national figure.
About the time that control of
the oil reserves was transferred from
the navy department to Secretary
of Interior Fall and Teapot Dome
leased to Harry Sinclair, strange
rumors came to certain western
senators. These rumors limited
that something was rotten-not in
Denmark. but in Wyoming, where
the Teapot Dome field was located.
The matter was referred to an
investigating committee of which
Walsh was a member.
Uncovered Oil Scandals
Walsh asked Secretary Fsll-who
had been his personal friend when
both were in the senate-for data
on the oil reserves and Fall sent
him a ton or so. Reading the stuff
proved a long job and a waste of
time.
Secretary Fall was voluble in his
explanation that the reserves were
being drained by Offset wells of
others. that they had been leased
to patriots to conserve the navy's
oil supply, and limited darkly of a
threat of war on us by some great
power in the Pacific.