COOLIDGE DECLINES TO TURN OVER TAX RETURNS TO OIL COMMITTEE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 6, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge "declined...to turn over to the oil committee* the tax returns of individuals and corporations predominantly mentioned in the oil investigations."
The President did, however, offer "to co-operate with the Secretary of the Treasury" in an attempt to get an amendment to the regulations allowing the oil committee to inspect the returns.
Mr. Coolidge was advised by the assistant Attorney General that he did not have the authority as POTUS to comply with the request made by the committee.
*Senate Committee on Public Lands & Surveys, chaired by Senator Thomas Walsh^ (D-Montana), investigated charges that Albert B. Fall, Secretary of Interior, issued no-bid oil reserve leases in exchange for illegal gifts.
^Thomas James Walsh (1859-1933) was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin & served in the US Senate 1913-1933.
SOURCE
"President Denies Probers' Right to Study Tax Returns," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 6, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
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