The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1891-04-10
WASHINGTON CLAIM AGENTS.
The San Francisco "Exantiner" Estab.
fishes a Claim Agency in
Washington.

Tho San Francisco Erimiltcr is fro
qucntly in receipt OF complaints from its
subscribers In all parts of tho Coast States
and Territories that legitimate claims
against the Government for Indian dcprc.
ddtions and land, postal and pension
claims intrusted TO the care OF various at
torneys md claim agents havo not beou
properly prosecuted, or, II so, that tho
charges OF the agents or attorneys for fees
aud alleged expenses have been so great
as 10 leave little or nothing for the cluini-
ants. We have been frequently urged to
make war upon these rapuc.ous attorneys,
but for many reasons 1t is almost impossl-
bio TO do so In SUCH manner us 10 benefit
our subscribers. We might possibly sue
Good in driving dishonest or oyer-grcedy
| attorney out Of tho field, but his place
would bu Immediately taken By another,
ind the fight would DO endless and its re-
suits practically useless. We have thero-
fore decided, as tho best means OF curing
tho evil, TO establish in Washington "
Bureau of Claims, which will take charge
of nll such matters and push them to
speedy and, in nll cases where II Is pOssi-
bic, successful Issue. MIR, John Wodder-
burn, our Washington correspondent,
and up to tho timc of his death,
Secretary to tho lato Senator Hearst,
In which position ho has Ind
| much experience In presenting aud
pushing such claims, will have charge of
this bureau and will employ ali necessary
legal and clerical nSsigtanc. Of the first
grade, making only such charge fur their
| services as will cover the actual cost and
pay him u reasonable price for the timo
| devoted I'd tho work. MIR. Welderburn Is
known to every member of the Pacific
Coast congressional delegation, 10 whom
inquiries us TO bis standing and reliability
IN h., Hl,.. auttx, tpt. fh,l
| establishment OF such bureau ia well
shown by the following petition, which
has been extensively circulated In north
cru California;
To The Hon. The Senate Of The United
States, ~ CDnurrSs ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MEN; The undersigned petitioners would
most respectfully represent that we arc
claimants against the government for
| losses sustained by Indian dcprcdations
committed In Humboldt County, Califor-
mia, ut different times since lo5O; that we
were induced to employ AN attorney here
to properly prepare such claims. md an
| other ut Washington by power OF attorney
TO prosecute them there, that we have
| paid our attorney here for making out all
papers in said claims, b sides being ut con
siderable expense in attending with wit
nesses the Government commission hero
that examined our claims; that now our
attorneys at Washington iAiessrs. -
| are asking us to sign contract giving
| them one-ihird OF whatever may be re-
covered from the Government us their fec,
besides requiring US to pay ali accruing
costs for prosecuting said claims. This
we consider an extravagant and unrc6aon-
nblc charge. Therefore we pray your
honorable body TO so amend the bill now
pending before you for settling these
| claims that IL will onbody u clause allow
| ing attorneys such fees and commissions
| for attending said claims IA shall be
deemed Just and equitable, and your poti-
| TONERS will ever be most thankful.
Persons having claims OF any kind
agnist the Government, will address all
letters 10 tho Examiner Bureau OF Claims,
10 Corcoran Building, Washington, ID. C.,
where Mr.. Weddorburn may also be con-
| suited In person.