The Delta independent., 1891-04-15
WASHINGTON CLAIM AGENTS.
The San Francisco "ExaH,insr" Estab.
fishes q Claim Agency In
Washinaton

sH0 SAn GoUSt1SV sAStshsBs eSkAb~
fishes q Claim Agency In
Washington.
The San Francisco Eran'ti.er 10 fire.
quently In receipt Of complaints from It's
subsoribers In all parts Of tho Coast States
and Territories that legitimate claims
against the Government for Indian deprs-
ddttons and land, postal and pension
cldtms intrusted to the care Of various At
torneys and claim agents have not beeu
properly prosecuted, or, II SO, that the
charges Of the agents or attorneys for fees
and alleged expenses have been 30 great
Rs to leave little or nothing for tho claim
ants. We have been frequently urged to
make war upon these rapacious attorneys,
but for many reasons it II almost impossi-
BILE to do so in such manner as to benefit
our subscribers. We might possibly sue
coed In driving dishonest or oves-greedy
would be immediately taken by another,
and the fight would be endless and Its re-
suits practically useless. We have there
fore decided, as tho best means Of curing
the evil, 70 establish In. Washington y
Bureau Of Claims, which will take charge
OF all such matters and push them to .
speedy and, in all cases where 1t 10 possi-
bic, successful issue. Mr.. John Wedder-
burn, our Washington correspondent,
and up to the time of his death.
in which position he has had
much experience In presenting and
pushing such claims, will have charge Of
this bureau and will employ all necessary
legal and clerical assistance Of the first
grade, making only such charge for their
services as will cover, the actual cost and
pay him o reasonable price for the time
devoted to the work. Mr.. Wedderburn IL
known to every member of the Pacific
Coast congressional delegation, 10 whom
tws.. ~ "A tnt,t
can be addressed. The necessity for the
establishment Of such bureau Is well
shown by the following petition, which
hus been extensively circulated in north
ern California!
To the Hon. the Senate Of the United
States IN Congress Asssmbtcd-9ESrLE,
MEN: The undersigned petitioners would
most respectfully represent that we are
claimants against the government for
losses sustained by Indian depredations
committed in Humboldt County, Califor-
mia, at different times since ls5Oi that we
were induced TO employ an attorney here
TO properly prepare such claims. and an
other at Washington by power OF attorney
TO prosecute them there; that We have
paid our attorney here for making out all
papers in said claims, besides being at con-
siderable expense in attending with wit
nesses the Government commission here
that examined our claims; that now our
attorneys ut Washington (Messrs. -
are asking US 10 sign contract giving
them one-third OF whatever may be re-
covered from tho. Government as their fee,
besides requiring Us TO pay all accruinR
costs for prosecuting said claims. This
we consider an extravagant and unresson-
able charge. Therefore we pray your
honorable body TO so amend the bill now
pending before you for settling these
claims that 1t will cmbody y clause allow
ing attorneys such fees and commissions
for attending said claims as shall be
deemed Just and equitable, and your petit
TONERS will ever be most thankful.
Persons having claims OF any kind
agaist the Government. will address all
letters to the Examiner Bureau OF Claima,
20 Corcoran Building, Washington, ID. c.,
where Mr.. Wedderburu may also bs con-
suited In person.