New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-19
ACCUSED OF BRIBERY.
Il LAND FRAUD ARREST.
John &. Benson Said To Be Head
of Fast Western Conspiracy.


Washington. Dec. 1s-John A Benson. a
wealthy San Francisco real estate operator.
charged by the Interior Department with being
the head of The alleged land frauds extending
over q dozen Western States and Territories. 10
which Secretary Hitchcock referred vigorously
and at length in his annual report. was arrested
here to-day at the Willard Hotel by John A.
Burns. a Secret Service officer, just he was
preparing 10 leave the city for New-York.
The charge which the arrest was made was
briberv. it being alleged in the affidavit of Mr.
Burns. and in the warrant that Benson had paid
$500 10 Woodford D. Harlan formerly chief of
the Special Service Division Of the General Lana
once. and now a clerk in that office, on March
Is Of this year. for the purpose of securing from
him information regarding the investigation of
bis operations at that time being made by the
Land Office.
The warrant was issued by United States
Commissioner Arson 6 Taylor and as soon as
Benson had been arrested he was taken before
Commissioner Taylor He wished to have a
preliminary hearing Of his case postponed. and
the date OF the hearing was fixed for December
90 He gave bail for his appearance at that
time when the government attorneys will ask
TO have him held for the grand jury.
MORE ARRESTS TO FOLLOW.
The statement was made by an officer Of the
government tonight that the information OBJ
tsined regarding the alleged conspiracy impli-
Gates number Of persons at present employed
IN the Interior Department at Washington and
elsewhere. Numerous arrests are expected to
follow that Of Benson in short order. and some
employees who may not be arrested will be dis
missed from the service. II is said that Secre-
tsry Hitchcock and the special attorneys in the
case have considered It absolutely necessary to
,FT Tna hat v,c
action be taken with reference TO any of the
other alleged offenders until the principals in
the case had been arrested.
The government attorneys. Arthur B. Pugh.
who has been the special attorney for the In
terror Department in the land fraud cases. and
Oliver B. Pagin. assistant attorney Of the De-
psrtment OF Justice, who has also been en-
ployed the cases. said in asking for large
bail bond for Benson that he had been guilty of
bribery in his present visit 10 Washington, since
last Monday, and in the Interior Department it
self Notwithstanding that he was aware that
his connection with the alleged frauds was fully
known by the department. The statement was
made later that Secretary Hitchcock was so in
oensed the hagrancy Of this alleged offence
that he told the officers TO have Benson arrested
sr once, although II had not been planned TO ap-
prehenc him at present. Another assertion of
The government officers is that Benson came 10
Washington in answer 10 decoy letters and with
The intention OF bribing people in the Land
once who were IN reality acting for the secret
service.
THE CHARGE IN DETAIL.
The warrant on which Benson was arrested
charges that on March - last he unlawfully
gave "A sum Of money. TO wit, $500. to one
Woodfor5 y Harlan. who was then and there
al officer Of the said United States, 10 wit,
chief Of the special service division Of the
General Land Office Of the United States with
the intent 20 induce the said Woodford D. Har-
lar TO do an act in violation of his lawful duty
IS such officer. that is to say, reveal TO him.
The said John A. Benson. The contents of the
reports OF certain OF the subordinates in the
Office Of him. the said Woodford D. Harlan.
concerning an investigation of thes conduct of
TIE said John A. Benson and his associates in
making fraudulent selections and entries of
public lands Of the said United States in lieu
OF lands owned By them within the limits of
forest reserves heretofore established under
The lava Of the United States in the States of
California and Oregon, and in committing tres
pass upon the said public lands"
The Information on which the warrant was
issued stated in brief that Mr.. Harlan. in his
capacity as chief Of the special service diVi'
sor OF the General Land Office. had charge o.
the Investigation Of the land frauds, sending oui
special agents in suspected cases OF fraud and
Receiving the reports OF such agents on tn'
cases aud that Benson had paid 10 him the sun
Of $500 IN return for being allowed TO examine
The reports OF the special agents in his own case
The specific offence alleged is that Benson un
lawfully gave money TO en- officer Of the United
States, acting in behalf Of the United States fl
an Official capacity .gith intent 10 induce hin
10 Go act IN violation Of his lawful duty
contrary 20 Section 5.45l % The Revised Stat
uies
Nessrs. Pugh and Pagin were yesterday sworr
r. as assistant United States Attorneys for the
purpose OF prosecuting the case against Benson
PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Ar Benson is said TO have been taken entirely
ty surprise in ms arrest. although he has
NhoRn that the government has been inyesfi-
Continued third page.