DEMOCRAT CALLS FOR RESIGNATION OF TR III AS ASST. NAVY SECRETARY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 16, 1924, The Sunday Star reports "the resignation of Theodore Roosevelt* as assistant secretary of the Navy was demanded" by Representative William F. Stevenson** (D-South Carolina) in the House of Representatives yesterday.
The demand was countered with a defense of Mr. Roosevelt by several Republican congressmen including Rep. Nicholas Longworth*** of Ohio during a debate on the naval appropriation bill.
The case made against Mr. Roosevelt included the argument that since Navy secretary Edwin Denby "ought to have gotten out" because he received a loan or had connection with the oil people (Teapot Dome) so should the assistant Navy secretary.
Mr. Stevenson also referred to Roosevelt's use of United States Marines to remove squatters from Teapot Dome in behalf of the oil company. He characterized the action as "bringing all the military forces of the United States to the aid of Sinclair."
Congressman John J. Rogers (R-Massachusetts) countered...
"We can have perfect confidence in the assistant secretary of the Navy."
JFK+50 NOTE
Although the reputation of Theodore Roosevelt III was tarnished by the Teapot Dome scandal, he was cleared of all charges by the Senate Committee on Public Lands.
*Theodore Roosevelt III, a.k.a. T.R. Jr., (1887-1944) was born in Oyster Bay, New York & graduated Harvard College in 1909. TRIII served as assistant Secretary of the Navy 1921-1924, governor of Puerto Rico 1929-1932 & governor of the Philippines 1932--1933.
**William Francis Stevenson (1861-1942) was born in Loray, North Carolina & graduated Davidson College 1885. WFS served in the US House of Representatives 1917-1933.
***Nicholas Longworth III (1869-1931) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio & graduated Harvard College 1891, Cincinnati Law School 1894. NLIII served in the US House of Representatives 1915-1931, Speaker of the House 1925-1931.
NLIII married Alice Lee Roosevelt, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt & is the namesake for the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill.
SOURCE
"Roosevelt Backed As Demand Comes That He Quit Post," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., March 16, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
