The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-03-10

hpClAnA ~ AhN AAAaANAf
wAsHISeroN, March g. 9-Should the
administration sustain Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs Jones aud ignore the
contentious OF Abner Mckinley re-
pardinR the lease OF western lands for
grazing purposes Mr.. McKinley's rep
utation for influence with the admins
ira ion will be greatly lessened. and
it is said he will fail TO obtain fees az.
geegating nearly $780, 600
Bids for the leasing Of the grazing
lAuds on the western Indian reserva
tions are called for each year. Usually
there Is sharp competition for the
lands between owners OF large herds
The government heretofore has not
fixed a minimum rental fee, but this
year ID was advertised that no bids at
less than 10 cents per acre would be
accepted, the cents an acre which had
previously prevailed not being consid-
cred sutficient.
1t is particularly desired by the dc.
partment that the Kiowas and Co.
manches shall get the full value OF
their lands, as the income therefrom
will constitute from now on an impor.
tsnt source Of revenue to them, gov
ernment payments under treaties hav.
ing ceased. The leases date from
April /, All the lands in question have
been bid for at 10 Genus per acre,
though none OF these bids are from the
present lessees.
Combination of CdttiomeH.
Cattlcmen now occupying the lands
are making great c fl orts TO retain pos
session of them under the old price OF
six cents per acre They recently
agreed that bids submitted for certain
pastures, notably in Oklahoma, we're
not TO exceed six cents per acre, and
selected irresponsible persons to put
In the bids for them.
Offers for certain pastures, there
fore, did not include the name Of a
single cattlemRn OF any Importance.
This was notably so with relation to
the Kiowa aud Comanche reservation,
which includes about 600, 900 acres OF
land IN Oklahoaa.
Commissioner Jones refused to Gc-
cept any OF the bids, and sgnifed his
intention OF leasing the lands 10 pri.
vate persons at a minimum price OF
tan cents per acre. When the cattle
men were informed OF this they came
to Washington and attempted TO in
duce Commissioner Jones to change
his mind, but without success.
IL is understood that Abner McKin-
ley was then telepraphed for. Mr..
Burnett, large cattleman from
Texas, was told that the presidents
brother could obtain the contract for
the Kiowa and Comanche lands at %
nominal commission OF two cents an
acre, which would amount TO $40, 900.
Other cattlemen agreed to employ
him, and be was Immediately sent for
and came to Washington.
Mr.. Mckinley stated TO the depart.
ment officials that he was familiar
wish Kiowa and Comsnche grazing
lands and that per acre was all they
were worth But Mr. Jonea said he
could lease all the lands IN the reser-
walton for 10 per acre to persons who
would depost certified checks.
Firm Stand Of Mr. Tones.
"This," said Commissiouer Jones,
will mean 500 600 10 the Ind ANS
The contracts can be renewed from
year to year, and from this one reser.
vation alone, in the four years, IL will
mean to the Indians s240 600 more than
the combination proposes TO pay
Mr.. Jones lard the matter before
Secretary Bliss He said the depart
ment should stand by its determine
tlon TO obtain i0-cent rate, aud added
that IL this acton should be overrid-
den he would feel compelled to re-
sign his Office. Secretary Bliss assured
Mr.. Jones of his entire support and
approval, and directed that the leases
at 10 cents per acre bs executed The
necessary papers will be filed in few
days and the combination of cattle
men will be directed TO vacate the
lands bY April /.
II is stated that Abner Mckinley &
fees, In the event OF his success, would
have amounted to SiOO, 900.