The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-12-15
(saclal to The Heraldl


Washington, Dec. 14-Senators Raw
Inns and Kearns and Representative
Sutherland had another conference
this morning with the secretary Of the
interior on the subject Of the lease Of
the Florence Mining company, on the
Uintah reservation. A delegation Of
Indians consisting of Verney Mack.
Tim Johnson, John Johnson, John
Duncan and Big Joe were present, and
were questioned by the Utah delega-
ton, when it developed that they knew
scarcely anything about the terms OF
the lease, except that they wanted it
granted. Two important things, how
ever, developed First, that the In
dams would not object to the opening
of the reservation if they were amply
paid for the same by the government
and second, that the lease granted TO
the Florence Mining company would
undoubtedly be approved unless the
directors cOrroborated by af1idavits
the assertion that the consent Of the
Indians to the same was obtained
through gross Misrepresentation. The
directors were given ten days in which
to file these additional affidavits.
If the representations of the Indians
to the effect that they are willing TO
dispose of their lands if guaranteed
payment for them, amounts TO any
thing, Senator Kearps will immediate
" introduce a bill in congress asking
for the appointment of a commission
to confer with the Indians and report
as soon as possible upon the terms
for opening the reservation.
After the hearing the secretary had
a conference with the Indians and
Agent MytOn for the purpose Of ques-
tiOning the Indians, stating they were
evidently timid about expressing them
selves in the presence Of so many
strangers and that he desired to learn
something further. if possible, of them
Representative Sherman of New York
has been present at both hearings. At
the last he was accused Of having an
interest in the lease, which he denied
explaining his presence by reason Of
the fact that he was chairman Of the
house committee on Indian affairs.
Senator Rawlins' Views.
Speaking of the leasing proposition.
Senator Rawlins said:
1.-THE Florence Mining company ap-
pears 10 have been incorporated under
the laws Of New Jersey. No one in the
interior department has seen its ar
ticles of Incorporation nor seems to
know who the officers or stockholders
of this mythical concern may be. Tt
appeared in the examination of Ny
ton that Henry G. Payne, chairman Of
the executive committee of the ma
I tiOnal Republican committee is pres
idenL The secrecy and dispatch which
has been displayed in obtaining for
the Florence Mining company the priv
ilege Of exploiting the wealth of the
| Uintah reservation, together with 9TH
er suspicious circumstances, indicate a
disposition to secure to a few favor
ties in public life valuable rights from
/ which other people are excluded
Secretary Wilson intends to secure
/ the transfer Of the appropriation for
the care and maintenance of forest re-
serves from the interior department
1 budget TO the department of agricUl-
I ture and thus secure congressional
sanction for a proposition to place the
/ full control of forest reserves with the
/ forestry division under GuiffOrd Pin
ChOt in line with the recommendation
made by President Roosevelt in his
message. It is believed Secretary