The Lamar register., 1891-04-11
WASHINGTON CLAIM AGENTS.
The San Francisco "Examiner" Estab.
lishes q Claim Agency In
Washington,

Tho San Francisco "Examiner" Estab.
lishes q Claim Agency In
Washington.
Tho San Francisco Eramifler 10 fire.
quently in receipt Of complaints from its
subscribers in all parts of the Coast States
and Territories that legitimate claims
against tho Government for Indian deprc-
ddtions and land, postal and pension
claims 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 SO great
as TO leave little or nothing for the claim
ants. We have been frequently urged to
make war upon these rapacious attorneys,
but for many reasons 1t is almost impossi-
Die TO do so in such a manner as to benefit
our subscribers. We might possibly sue
ceed in driving dishonest or over-greedy
attorney out Of the field, but his place
would be Immediately taken by another,
and the light would be endless ana its re-
suits practically useless. We have there
fore decided, as the best means of curing
the evil, to establish in Washington a
bureau OF Claims, which will take charge
OF all such matters and push them to q
speedy and, in all cases where it is possi-
bic, successful issue. MIR. John Wedder-
burn, our Washington CORES pondent,
and up to the time of his death,
Secretary to the late Senator Hearst.
in which position he has had
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 u reasonable price for the time
devoted to the work. MIR. Wedderburn is
known TO every member of the Pacific
Coast congressional delegation, TO whom
inquiries as TO his standing and reliability
can be addressed. The necessity for the
establishment of such a bureau is well
shown by the following petition, which
has been extensively circulated in north
ern California:
To the Hon. the Senate of the United
States, IN Congress sAssembtcd-GENrLE-
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 1850; that we
were induced 10 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 at Washington (Messrs. y
are asking US 10 sign contract giving
them one-third OF whatever NAV be re-
covered from tho Government as their, fee,
besides requiring US to pay all accruing
costs for prosecuting said claims. This
we consider an extravagant and unreason-
able charge. Therefore we pray your
honorable body to SO amend the bill now
pending before you for settling these
claims that it will embody a clause allow
ing attorneys such fees and commissions
for attending said claims as shall pe
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 Claims,
20 Corcorau Building, Washington, d. c.,
where MIR. Wedderourn may also be con-
suited in person.