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The Teapot Dome Scandal began long before, when government official were looking for a new fuel supply that was more reliable than coal. In the early twentieth century, the U.S. Navy desired for a ship that could sail along all the world's oceans. But, the U.S. Naval ships were restrained by weight limitation with coal- fired ships, which resulted to having coal- firing stations around the world. The U.S. watched and observed other countries, as they began to develop petroleum- powered ships. In the beginning of 1909 the United States decided to convert the coal- powered fuel, and start using more efficient petroleum. By doing this there would be no need for coal- firing stations anymore, because the petroleum- powered ships would now be able to travel further distances. Now that more and more ships were being fueled using oil, the Navy officials became concerned and needed to figure out a way to preserve the oil before they ran out. Navy officials now asked congress to set aside federally owned lands in places where oil could possibly be found. This land was not to be drilled on unless there was a national emergency. One of the lands that was set aside, was in northern Natrona in a place where a very unusual rock stood, this place was called Teapot Dome. Once this new rock was discovered, oilmen begged to be given the opportunity to drill on it.
Now, at this time it was 1920 and Warren G. Harding was just elected president. Albert Fall had just been elected New Mexico’s first U.S. senator, and within a few weeks, he had convinced president Harding to allow transfer of all petroleum reserves from the Navy to the Department of the Interior. He argued that the Department could better watch and protect the land and ensure that it was only being drilled on in case of emergencies. This soon resulted in creating, the Teapot Dome Scandal.
Once the Teapot Dome field was under the control of Secretary Fall, he started making secret deals with two oilmen, Edward Doheny and Edward Sinclair. Both of these men were very close friends of Secretary Fall and would pay him bribes so that they would have permission to drill in the three naval petroleum reserves.
Later, the Democratic Wyoming Governor Leslie Miller became suspicious once he saw trucks with the Sinclair company logo, hauling out drilling supplies to the oil fields. He then asked John B. Kendrick to look into the matter, after sensing supposition he took the matter to a special Senate Investigating Committee.
While this new scandal was coming about, President Harding was travel all over to, Wyoming, Alaska, San Francisco, and while he was in San Francisco he suddenly died. Most historians believe him to be very lucky, since he died just as the scandal was about to unfold. Secretary Fall was not as Lucky. He went to court and was tried for accepting bribes, was convicted, and eventually sent to federal prison, becoming the first Cabinet- level officer to ever go to federal prison while still serving in office. Both Doheny and Sinclair were found not guilty, but later Sinclair was sentenced to nine months of imprisonment for hiring detectives to trail the jury members during the bribery trial. The federal government had the leases that Fall had given to Sinclair canceled, but Wyoming U.S. District, Judge T. Blake Kennedy, ruled against the government. Then, these leases were finally cancelled once the Supreme Court overturned the Kennedy Decision.
Now, at this time it was 1920 and Warren G. Harding was just elected president. Albert Fall had just been elected New Mexico’s first U.S. senator, and within a few weeks, he had convinced president Harding to allow transfer of all petroleum reserves from the Navy to the Department of the Interior. He argued that the Department could better watch and protect the land and ensure that it was only being drilled on in case of emergencies. This soon resulted in creating, the Teapot Dome Scandal.
Once the Teapot Dome field was under the control of Secretary Fall, he started making secret deals with two oilmen, Edward Doheny and Edward Sinclair. Both of these men were very close friends of Secretary Fall and would pay him bribes so that they would have permission to drill in the three naval petroleum reserves.
Later, the Democratic Wyoming Governor Leslie Miller became suspicious once he saw trucks with the Sinclair company logo, hauling out drilling supplies to the oil fields. He then asked John B. Kendrick to look into the matter, after sensing supposition he took the matter to a special Senate Investigating Committee.
While this new scandal was coming about, President Harding was travel all over to, Wyoming, Alaska, San Francisco, and while he was in San Francisco he suddenly died. Most historians believe him to be very lucky, since he died just as the scandal was about to unfold. Secretary Fall was not as Lucky. He went to court and was tried for accepting bribes, was convicted, and eventually sent to federal prison, becoming the first Cabinet- level officer to ever go to federal prison while still serving in office. Both Doheny and Sinclair were found not guilty, but later Sinclair was sentenced to nine months of imprisonment for hiring detectives to trail the jury members during the bribery trial. The federal government had the leases that Fall had given to Sinclair canceled, but Wyoming U.S. District, Judge T. Blake Kennedy, ruled against the government. Then, these leases were finally cancelled once the Supreme Court overturned the Kennedy Decision.