ASTOUNDING CHARGES MADE TO U.S. SENATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 309, 21 March 1928, Page 9

ASTOUNDING CHARGES MADE TO U.S. SENATE

PARTY FUNDS SCANDAL TORRID TALK IN SENATE By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 12.35 p.m. WASHINGTON, Tues. The latest developments in connection with the oil scandals occurred today in the Senate. The Public Lands Committee met to consider astounding allegations made by an unnamed witness before the Oil Committee at Chicago. Mr. G. P. Nye, Republican member for North Dakota, said the story ought to be verified before the name of the witness was made public, for it might prove to be unfair and disastrous to perfectly reputable persons to do so at present. This clue is believed to point to a national figure. Mr. Justice Siddons, of Washington, was said to have a part in the case, but he has denied all connection with it. Mr. Nye said the committee must investigate the sale of the newspaper “Star” at Marion, Ohio, by the late President Harding in order to ascertain if the Continental Trading Company’s bonds were involved. HEATED EXCHANGE Various members demanded the removal from office of all officials who refrain from speaking of the case. Mr. R. M. La Follette, jun., said Mr. H. C.. Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, should reprove his party for its actions. He also said Mr. Coolidge, who remains silent, was the chief beneficiary through the payment of money to the party funds, because it cleared toe way for his election. Mr. A. R. Robinson, Republican member for Indiana, accused the Governor of New York, Mr. A. Smith, of having obtained money from Mr. H. F. Sinclair, the oil magnate, to further his Presidential campaign. A heated exchange resulted. Senator Couzens introduced a resolution into the Senate proposing the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. A. W. Mellon, should resign. The resolution accused Mr. Mellon of concealing the fact that Mr. Sinclair had contributed £32,000 in Liberty bonds to the Republican funds, and cited many of Mr. Mellon’s activities and industrial interests as grounds for the resolution.

He also held that it W'as a criminal offence for any person directly or indirectly concerned with business o.r trade to be appointed as Secretary of the Treasury.—A. and N.Z.