"ROCKING THE BOAT"

Evening Post, Issue 59, 10 March 1924, Page 7

"ROCKING THE BOAT"

OIL SCANDALS INQUIRY

SITUATION BECOMING MORE

COMPLICATED

WERE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS OF 1920 AFFECTED?

(UNHID PRESS ASSOCIATION COPrRIfIHT.)

(SIDNEY SUN CABLE.)

(Received 10th March, 10.30 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, 9th March,

A telegram from Mr: Ira Bennett, editor of ths "Washington Post," to Colonel Edward B. M'Lean, the Washington newspaper owner, was discussed by the Senate Committee which is inquiring into the oil leases scandal. The telegram read as follows:—"Saw .principal and delivered message. He says it is greatly appreciated, and sends regards to your wife. There will be no rocking o£ the boat and no resignations." Mr. Bennett, under examination, denied that the principal mentioned was President Coolidge, but referred to Senator Curtis, the Republican .Whip in the Senate. Mr. Bennett, however, admitted that the phrases "No rocking of the boat" and "No resignations" were his own interpretations of President Coolidge's opinion following a, conference which the President had~ with him and other journalists. He explained a number of other coded messages sent to Colonel M'Lean, but the situation was complicated by the exchange of other personal. friendly wires between President Coolidge and Colonel M'Lean. Senator Curtis, when examined by die committee, denied Sir. Bennett's statement that he was the principal referred to. In view of this denial Mr. Bennett will be re-examined, and also (Julonel M'Lean. The Senate Committee has directed the telegraph companies to supply copies of the telegrams which passed between the wife of Senator Pall, a former member of the Cabinet, and the wives of others concerned in the oil transactions. The Senate has started out on a new investigation, and has summoned Leonait Wood, jun./son of General Wood, and others who authorised the publication of a story that General Wood was offered nomination at the Republican National Convention in 1920 by the oil interest* if he would appoint Jake Hamon, one of their number, as Secretary of the Interior. In other words, that the oil interests controlled that convention when the late President Harding was finally selected after long deadlocks.