The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-26
HITCHCOCK HAS
STIRRED THINGS
Alleged Corruption in New
Country Is Talked About
PEOPLE GOT IMPATIENT
Recent Fires Made the Delay
Exasperating.
PEOPLE GOT IMPATIENT

Guthrie, o. T., Aug. 25.-The interview
recently given out by E. A. Hitchcock,
secretary of the interior department in
regard to the alleged corruption in south
western Oklahoma in connection with
the letting of contracts for public i'm
proyements has caused considerable COM
ment in the territory. The interview'was
caused by the recent attack on the sec
retary of thhe interior department be-
cause of the delay in the construction Of
water works systems in the cities of Ho-
bart, Lawton and Aandarko. Not only
has there been delay in the water works
matter but requests have been made for
bridges and people have be6ome impa
tient because of supposed non-attention
from the department.
After theh recent fires in Hobart and
Anadarka charges We're made against
Secretary Hitchcock, the statements be-
ing numerous that the town lot money
of two years ago had been deposited
in st. Louis and that the secretary was
deriving benefit from the use of the
same. Other serious statements were
made, and the secretary now comes
back at his aecusers saying that the peo-
pie Of Oklahoma have selected men for
office who are either corrupt or careless
and cites instances of alleged fraud in
the three new counties. AT the time Sec
retary Hitchcock visited Oklahoma he
saw that he believed TO be evidences of
fraud, and gave it out at that time that
public Improvement contracts had to be
carried out to the letter. The recent in
vestigation by United States o1s&als re-
suited in the arrest and arraignment Of a
prominent contractor for the alleged re-
turning of false vouchers, and 1t is stated
that other cases are to follow.
Since the ire of the secretary has been
raised by the charges filed against him.
it now means, in the minds of those who
have been watching the situation, that
southwestern Oklahoma will get no por-
ton of the town lot money now in the
st. Louis sub treasury until the sqg,retary
of the interior department is convinced
that every contract is all right and that
every portion of the contract will be cal
ried out.
Territorial officials are not surprised
that Secretary Hitchcock made charges
against the local officials in southwestern
Oklahoma At the time of the letting
of contract for water works systems,
which were afterwards turned down, per-
sons from the new country came here
and made statements that there had been
fraud. and ''boodling'' charges were num-
erous. Owing to the fact that Secretary
Hitchcecks consent must be secured 10
use any portion of the town lot money,
he has the better of the situation and
from indications the charges filed against
him will have little or no effect when th,
allegation made by this official is con-
sidered. 1t is a certain thing that the
three new country cities should have
their water works systems, and other i'm
provements. but before these things are
secured. the secretary will be satisfied
that there is no fraud or deception Of
any kind in connection with the contracts
or construction of the improvements.
In connection with the southwestern
matter. il became known here today tina.
Agent Brosius of the Indian Rights As
sociation of Philadelphia is in Oklaho-
ma looking up certain cases which have
been brought to the attention of the as
ISOLATION 1t is learned by the repre-
sentative of the Eagle from reliable
source that one or more agency super
intendents have been involved in the matt
ter which are being investigated. 1t Is
not known what the nature of the forth
coming report will be, but the interior
department. may have cause to order an
investigation in Oklahoma in addition TO
the one now on in Caddo county under
the supervision of Francis Leupp.