THE OIL SCANDAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1924, Page 3

THE OIL SCANDAL.

FURTHER SENSATIONAL EVIDE NCI-'. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received tins day at 10.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON. March 16Before the Oil TnquiVy Commission. Gaston B. Means, a former secret agent of the Department of Justice, added further sensational evidence to that already cabled. He declared that he asked no quarter and intended to give none. From diaries covering the past few years he produced evidence that lie had been acquitted on a charge of murder. He had worked as a secret agent for Britain, then for Germany, and then for America. He was discharged in 1922 and lie demanded from Mr Dougherty specific reasons. Dougherty explained ho had been too active in investigating the oil matters in Mexico, and that another Cabinet Minister demanded his head. Witness took his instructions from Smith whom he often saw in Dougherty’s office. Witness said Smith wanted to catch Mellon. Secretary to the Treasury, and he did s". He found. Mellon had entered into an agreement to furnish certain permits, but lie slipped through their fingers that time. Witness detailed investigations in connection with Senators (faraway and La Folctte when they were attacking Air Dougherty and Mr Harding in Congress. ITe instatmed how lie had bribed coloured servants to write down what was said at the tea-table. He also went through La Follelte’s mail.

ST A R T L fXG EVIDEXCE. (Received this day at 10.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 16 Means evidence was with reference o tlie receipt of one hundred thou-

sand dollars from Alitsui Company in connection with aircraft frauds, for which Doughterty is being charged with failure to prosecute the Standard Aircraft Company. Witness saiil that during the recent Congressional investigation of the matter, the Department nf Justice had agents following witnesses and investigating various

Congressmen’s doings. The Aireralt Company was trying lo evade claims for two million dollars made by the Government. The Company bail not been prosecuted. Documents wore submitted indicating the Alitsui Cmnpauv were acting as paymasters for the Japanese Government, and controlled the Standard Aircraft Coy.. which wa-, selling models of American aeroplanes to the Japanese Government. Afenns explained the permits which Mellon issued had to do with liquor removals tinder the \ olstead law. witness said he received probably forty thousand dollars from different people for his services. Smith always gave him instructions alone, never in Mr Dnughterty’s presence. Witness added bitterly, "They knew the game.”

Frank Qttinby, it New York movie operator told how the Dempsey-Car-pentier pictures were exhibited through 30 States, though such action was in defiance of the law. He a,id Tex Rickard entered into on agreement. with n reporter on AfeLean's newspaper and another man, a friend of Smith’s. The plan was to exhibit the film in each State first before returned soldiers organisations. and then if the officials wore complaisant other showings were made. In niic case they were fined a thousand dollars Thov were furnished with a list „‘f lawyers in each State through whom legal formalities were arranged, and it worked in every ease, except one.

FALL’S AMBTTTOrS SCHEME

(“Sydney Sun” Cables)

(Received this day at 10.10 a.m.) NEAV YORK, Afnreli 10. Santa Ee telegrams state that sensational charges are published i'u a Now Mexico newspaper that the former Secretary for the Interior. A B Fail, conspired in 1921 with a former Governor. Cantu, of Lower California, to form a new republic of Northern : lexico with the object of ultimately bringing about intervention by the United States. , The newspaper claims that the a - It,rod plot involved the annexation of a portion of Lower California as well , 1S the oil regions about Tampico.