Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-26
Dos Moines River Claimants Look
to Congress.
BILL TO REIMBURSE SETTLERS UP
Provides for the Appointment. of
Special Commission to Investigate
and Review Matters and Report to
the Secretary Of the Interior.
waebincton n = lime %

necIlon Win the rights TO their homes
have never been settled, are still look
ing to congress for relief
Bill Introduced.
It will be recalled that Senator
then Dolliver, after re-
peated efforts, finally was able to Sc
cure tardy action in many cases of
evicted settlers, and secured them re-
lief. However, many cases remain
unsettled. Congressman Conner has
taken the matter UP and Will press it
TO conclusion. He has just intro
duced bill into the house bearing
upon this case, as follows:
Provides for Commission.
Sec. l. The secretary of, the int
rior is hereby empowered to, and shall
appoint special commissioner to in
vestigate and review the claims of
settlers upon Des Moines river lands
in the state of Iowa, already filed and
which have not been heretofore allow
ed and paid, and such other claims of
settlers as may be filed with said
commissioner within ninety days from
the date Of his appointment.
Report to Secretary of Interior.
Sec. 2. In said investigation to ne
made by said commissioner all claims
fled shall stand as denied and after
q consideration of each claim the
commissioner in all cases where he is
of the opinion that the claimant is
entitled to relief shall determine and
report the amount he finds to be due
each claimant to the secretary of the
interior, together with his reasons for
his determination and finding, and in
all cases where he finds the claimant
not entitled to relief he shall state his
reasons for denying the relief.
No Appeal From Finding.
Sec. g. The said investigation shall
not include any claims which have
heretofore allowed and paid in any
amount whatsoever, and the decision
of the commissioner in the matter of
indemnity of settlers upon said land
when approved by the secretary Of
the interior shall be final and the pay.
ments made under this act, if any,
shan be treated as final and COM
plete adjustment of all claims in fav-
or of settlers upon said land.
Then Congress Makes Appropriation.
Sec. 4. The secretary of the int.
rior when the report of the said COM
mission shall have been completed
and shall have been acted upon by
him shall then Immediately report the
same to congress for such appropria-
ton as may be necessary to complete
said final settlement and pay the
claims allowed by said commissioner.
fN
Sec. 5. There is hereby appropriate
ed,lto be paid out of the treasury of
the United States, the sum of five
thousand dollars, or SO much thereof
as may be necessary to cover the ex-
pense of said investigation and COM
pensation of said commissioner in
making said investigation and report
to the secretary of the interior provid-
ed herein to be made
Covers Entire Proposition.
This bill is 50 comprehensive as to
cover the entire proposition and close
the matter entirely. 1t was a ques-
ton just what committee this bill
would properly come before. Some
thought public lands and others
claims and some said neither commit.
tee covered the case. 1t was, however,
decided that the committee on claims
would have jurisdiction and to that
committee the bill has been reported
May Get Through House.
AS has been stated it is very late
to expect to reach final action upop
any new legislation. The fact that
this is a simple proposition of equity
involving only an outlay for prelim.
mary investigation expenses of $4,000
may facilitate its passage through the
house In case a favorable report Is Sc
cured from the committee It will
then rest with the speaker to grant
recognition to bring up the bill and
consider 1t. OF course, in the event
Of favorable committee report the
speaker will naturally favor the prop
osition, IL legislation is in such condi
ton as to permit If the bill can be
squeezed through the house at this
session the senators will doubtless be
able to take care of it in the north
end of the capitol next session.
Shaw Talks.
AS perhaps the most prominent ant
distinguished exponent of the "busi
ness" life in official position in Wash
ington, Secretary Shaw, of the treas
ury was asked to talk to the graduate.
of the business high school in Wash
ington. the class numbering 1876. TIL,
secretary's remarks are considered t,
have been the soundest, most sensibl,
doctrine offered to business higl
school graduates in many a year,man,
distinguished officials and educator
upon the platform personally express
ing their sentiments to the secretar,
upon the conclusion of his remarks
His talk Is equally applicable to low,
graduates and those who have no
passed from school doors as we'll a
those who graduated years ago an,
who are now in business. Secretar,
Shaw said:
Had Something to Say.
II would not have accepted the inv
tation to appear here this evening /
l had not had something to say t
these young people. They are gradr
ates of business college, and al
sumo they are to become bushes
men and women; that they intend t
z follow business life and seek to b