AMERICAN OIL GRAFT SCANDALS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8526, 25 February 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN OIL GRAFT SCANDALS

PERPLEXITY, OP PRESI DENT COOLIDGE. Press Assoc. By Tel. Copyright Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assws. * Rec. Peb. 25, 8.5 a.m, Washington, Peb. 22 The new disclosures in the oil scandals have revealed departmental endeavours to shield the oil interests and the accused. Ihe officials are delaying or even refusing assistance to the investigators. Senator Walsh complained that neither the Federal Secret S e r vice, nor the War, Treasury and TVavy Departments had thus far lifted a finger to aid the commit, tee. He added: “I have been both detective and prosecutor but the time bas come when I must have help.” Mr Walsh pointed out that it was futile to expect assistance from departmental heads, who had either resigned or were under Senatorial fire. Meanwhile Mr Daughterty’s refusal to surrender his portfolio of Justice, while strong ly opposed by Senators Lodge", Peppem and Borah, bas nevertheless gained tbe support of M r Adams. Chairman of the Republican Party’s National Committee who issued a statement demand, ing that the leaders cease the defensive and assume aggressive warfare against the Democrats. This attitude has served to strengthen the sensational reports that Mr Daughtorty had threatened to tell many startlm» stories of President ' Coolidge complied with Senatorial desires and sacrificed him for the sake of the party. The present perplex;ty of President Coolidge is re■(led as the first indication of a serious rift within the hitherto solid ranks of the party.