Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-12
IS NOT SATISFACTORY
Work OF the Dawes Commission
Not Satisfactory to Interior
Department.
Fight May Be Made in Congress
to Prevent Any Further
Appropriation.
Members OF the Commission Ac.
cused OF Unnecessarily De-
laying the Work.

Washington. Nov. 12.-No confirma-
| ton can be secured at the interior de-
partment of the rumors which have re-
Gently been revived that Mr.. Tams Blk
mission is to be displaced. On the con-
trary, positive denials are given. 1t is
suspected that the reports to this effect
are but revival of the stories which
gained circulation just before the open
ing of the last national campaign. At
that time dissatisfaction was 80 general
with the course of affairs in relation to
the vice chairman of the commission
that he rendered his resignation. A
satisfactory adjustment was reached
then, and since that time no plan has
been under considera ton at the interior
department which had for it's object the
supplanting OF Mr.. Bixby by st. Lou
isan or any one else.
The work of the Dawes commission
as whole has not been satisfactory to
the officers of the interior department.
Judging from the complaints which
have been made by the leaders of the
five civilized tribes, 1t has been unsatis-
factory to the Indians themselves.
Heavy appropriations have been made
eacn year for the use of the commission,
and 1t was expected that the work in
hand would have been disposed of long
before this time. There have been dila-
tory tactics employed by the commits
sion which have resulted in much of the
annoyance and dissatisfaction referred
to. A movement Is now on foot and
seems to gain strength as the time APP
proaches for congress to assemble, look
ing to the procurement of legislation
which will supplant the commission en-
tirely. just what will be the recommen-
cations in this line can not be ascer-
tanned now. as the secretary of the in
terror will not discuss 1t In advance of
the publication OF his annual report
There is reason to believe, however,
that instead of having a number of
commissioners with good salaries, a
single. broad-gauged man of wide ex
perience and sound judgment be select
ed to take charge of the work now in
the hands of the commission.
Some of the dissa tisfaction which has
been due to difference among the COM
missioners themselves These differen-
ces were settled some time ago by the
vigorous action of the secretary OF the
interior. Claims were made by Messrs.
and Needles that the act
ing chairman, Mr.. Bixby, repeatedly
usurped the authority of the commits
sion as a whole and delegated 1t to
himself. When the other members. of
the commission than Mr. Bixby were
held responsible for acts OF the COM
mission, 1t is claimed the discovery was
made that the acts complained of were
those of Mr. Bixby individually who |
signed papers and made authorization |
as chairman without consulting the
other members When THE condition of |
affairs was brought to the attention of
the secretary OF the interior some time
ago he took prompt and vigorous meas
ures. A set of rules and regula tons to
govern the actions of the commission |
were drawn up and approved Tney
were designed to insure division OF the
responsibility and We're accepted and |
agreed to by the parties Interested. So
far as Is known here. the work of the
commission has progressed With much |
more satisfaction and there has been
more harmony among the members. All
of this Is an old matter disposed of sew
eral months ago by the interior depart
ment.
The dissatisfaction now felt with the |
lack of progress and business methods
on the part of the commission will prob |
ably be evidenced in the coming session
of congress both in the recommends
tons which will be made by the interior
department and by the members of con-
sress themselves
Several vigorous fights have previous
~ been made against the Dawes COM
mission and ita annual appropriation, |
but they have not been successful. Mr.
Bixby and others of the commission
have been able to dispense some valua-
Bile patronage among members In the
southwest, who are naturally most IN
terested in the affairs with which the
commission deals. There can be no
question but that this has had the effect |
Of bringing to theSaid of the commission
influences which have prevented the
failure of appropriations in the past.
Mr.. Rixby. because Of his Identification |
with Minnesota politics. has had some
backing from his own state, and be-
cause of effective political work there
from members of the national party or
To what extent this viii
avail him in the fight which will I'M
loubtedly be made during the coming
session of congress is problematical.
rvN,AMtrE GIN Tested