LEASES UPON NAVAL OIL RESERVES. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1923. UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS AND SURVEYS, Washington, D. C. The committee met, pursuant to adjournment, at 10 o'clock a. m., in room 210, Senate Office Building, Senator Irvine L. Lenroot (chairman) presiding. Present: Senators Lenroot (chairman), Smoot, Cameron, and Kendrick. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order. Senator Smoot, will you make a statement relative to Senator Fall? Senator SMOOT. I will state that I am informed this morning that Senator Fall is ill in New York. I suggest, Mr. Chairman, that the committee adjourn subject to the call of the Chair, and just as soon as he is able to come he will come and we will proceed with the hearings. The CHAIRMAN. Without objection that will be done, and the committee will stand adjourned subject to the call of the chairman. (Whereupon, at 10.10 o'clock a. m., the committee adjourned, to meet at the call of the chairman.) 1353 LEASES UPON NAVAL OIL RESERVES. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1923. UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS AND SURVEYS, Washington, D. C. The committee met, pursuant to call of the chairman, at 10 o'clock a. m., in room 210, Senate Office Building, Senator Irvine L. Lenroot (chairman) presiding. Present: Senators Lenroot (chairman), Smoot, Cameron, Ladd, Kendrick, Walsh of Montana, and Dill. The CHAIRMAN. A quorum is present. The committee will come to order. Last week at the request of Senator Walsh I addressed Mr. Sinclair a letter requesting him to send the manager of his farm here to-day; also requesting his personal attendance with reference to a contribution to the Democratic national campaign in 1920, my letter being as follows: Mr. H. F. SINCLAIR, 45 Nassau Street, New York City. DECEMBER 15, 1923. MY DEAR MR. SINCLAIR: During your testimony before the Public Lands Committee you were asked by Senator Walsh concerning the appearance of the manager of your farm, and you stated that he could come at any time. Senator Walsh would like to have him appear before the committee on Wednesday, December 19, and bring with him the records kept at the ranch concerning the shipment of Holstein cattle to Senator Fall at Three Rivers. You also offered to produce before the committee information concerning a subscription made by you to the Democratic National Committee in 1920. Senator Walsh would like to have you appear for further examination and bring with you the records you have in relation to the transaction. Very sincerely, IRVINE L. LENROOT, Chairman Committee on Public Lands and Surveys. This morning I have the following letter from Mr. Sinclair, which I will read: Hon. IRVINE L. LENROOT, NEW YORK, December 18, 1923. Chairman Committee on Public Lands and Surveys, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR LENROOT: I have your favor of the 15th instant and in accordance with your request have arranged to have the man from my farm who knows the facts in connection with the shipment of certain stock to Secretary Fall attend the hearing before your committee on Wednesday, December 19. Referring further to your letter, in which you say: "You also offered to produce before the committee information concerning a subscription made by you to the Democratic National Committee in 1920. Senator Walsh would like to have you appear for further examination and bring with you the records you have in relation to the transaction." A reference to my testimony given on October 29, 1923, and December 4, 1923, shows that I was then in doubt as to the year when such a contribution was made. An examination of my records shows that the contribution was made in 1918 and not in 1920, and I am transmitting certified photostatic copies of the receipt therefor and of the letter transmitting the receipt. This covers all the facts in my possession touching the transaction. Inasmuch as this is all the information I have on the subject, I hope it will not be necessary for me to make another trip. Very truly yours, H. F. SINCLAIR. Mr. Sinclair inclosed certified photostatic copy of receipt from the treasurer of the Democratic National Committee under date of November 23, 1918, and of letter from the assistant treasurer of the Democratic National Committee under date of November 27, 1918. Senator Walsh, shall I put these into the record? Senator WALSH. I think so. The CHAIRMAN. I will read the certificate and receipt as well as letter: STATE OF NEW YORK, County of New York, ss: I, G. D. Wahlberg, of the city and State of New York, do hereby certify that I have the custody of the records and accounts of H. F. Sinclair; that the attached photostat copies are true and correct photostat copies of the original receipt for $5,000 received from the Democratic National Committee and letter transmitting said receipt, the originals of which are in my custody. G. D. WAHLBERG. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of December, 1923. [SEAL.] RUTH COSTELLOE, Notary Public, Kings County. No. 445. Kings County Register No. 5173. Certificate filed New York County No. 331. New York County Register No. 5304. Commission expires March 30, 1925. No. 200519. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, Received from Mr. H. F. Sinclair, New York City, N. Y., $5,000, for the maintenance and continuation of the work of the Democratic National Committee; to elect a Democratic Senate and Congress and local Democratic candidates; to continue in office a Democratic President and to aid in all possible ways to make the world safe for democracy. WILBUR W. MARSH, Treasurer. Countersigned: E. M. PARK, Cashier. W. D. JAMIESON, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, DEAR MR. SINCLAIR: I inclose official receipt for the very generous contribution you sent just before the election in response to our urgent appeal. This help was of great aid to us in making the showing we did. However, we regret that the result did not come up to full expectations, but we do not feel at all discouraged as to the future. We are going ahead with active preparations for the next campaign, and in Mr. H. F. SINCLAIR, 120 Broadway, New York, N. Y. W. D. JAMIESON. With reference to Mr. Sinclair's inquiry as to whether his attendance before the committee is further desired in view of these papers, I take it, Senator Walsh, that this clears up the matter. Senator WALSH. Oh, yes. The CHAIRMAN. I will also state that I had a letter from former Secretary Fall last week saying he expected to appear before the committee again on Monday. On account of members of the committee having other engagements I wrote him requesting that he not appear until to-day. This morning I received a telegram from Mr. Fall, which I will read: Hon. I. L. LENROOT, ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., December 18. Chairman Public Lands Committee, Washington, D. C. I acknowledge receipt of your letter 15th instant saying you do not desire me to come before the committee before Wednesday the 19th. I am physically unable to appear the 19th. I will advise you as soon as my health is regained. ALBERT B. FALL. Senator WALSH. I gather from the letter of Mr. Sinclair that the manager of the Rancocos Stock Farm is present this morning. Mr. RAYCRAFT. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The manager of Mr. Sinclair's stock farm will please come forward. Senator WALSH. I will ask that the witness be sworn. TESTIMONY OF F. RAYCRAFT, MANAGER OF RANCOCAS STOCK FARM, JOBSTOWN, N. J. (The witness was duly sworn by the chairman.) Senator WALSH. Please give your name. Mr. RAYCRAFT. My name is Raycraft. Senator WALSH. Give your initials. Mr. RAYCRAFT. F. Senator WALSH. You are the manager of Rancocas Stock Farm? Mr. RAYCRAFT. Yes, sir. Senator WALSH. How long have you filled that position, Mr. Raycraft? Mr. RAYCRAFT. Going on four years; since the farm started with Mr. Sinclair. Senator WALSH. Do you remember the occasion of a shipment of some stock from that farm to Senator Fall at Three Rivers, N. Mex.? Mr. RAYCRAFT. Yes, sir. Senator WALSH. About what time was that shipment made? Senator WALSH. What did it consist of? Mr. RAYCRAFT. It consisted of 6 heifers, 1 yearling bull, 2 young 6-months boars, and 4 sows under 6 months. Senator WALSH. Was there anything else that went with the shipment? Mr. RAYCRAFT. Yes; one horse. Senator WALSH. Did they all go in the same car? Mr. RAYCRAFT. Yes, sir. Senator WALSH. Upon whose direction did you make that ship ment? |