New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
CHARGES SUPPRESSED.
Interior Department Acton an Case
of Indian agent Chamberlain.
La rELFGRApn 10 rHr rRIRuNE.l


Washington, Feb 10-The results or Two dlstncI
Investigations into serious charges against 4nolan
Agent y. D. Chamberlain of the Crow creek
Agency in South Dakota. withheld from the
public by the Secretary of the Interior, VINO says,
Reports Of government inspectors are connoental
and cannot be made public
The charges against Indian Agent chamberlain
include dishonesty and various other orences- iney
are supported by the Indian Rights Association OF
Philadelphia, by the statement Of Chief Whiee
Ghost. of the Crow Creek Agency. and by the re-
port OF j. E. Edwards. an Indian inspector VINO
made the first investigation for the department.
When il was found that Inspector Edwards sup
ported the charges made, his report was oiscaioeo
as Unsatisfactory" the matter was taken from
the hands Of the Indian Commissioner. MI Jones'
and Frank Churchill q special inspector who re-
ports directly to Secretary Hitchcock. was oe'alieo
the case. Mr.. Edwards has since left the ser
vice. For several months after the report OF MI
Churchill fled with Secretary Hitchcock d1e
latter did examine its contents, ana up 10
Thursday last he knew nothing Of its purport-
After being asked about he read the ChurcnllI re-
port but declines to reveal anything as 10 us hl-
tngs or recommendations. It is pretty well KNOWN
however that Churchilrs report suostanuates the
Edwards findings, least to the extent that grave
irregularities have been committed under the Juris
diction Of Agent Chamberlain, but the Secretary OF
the Interior is disposed TO ascertain beyond any
doubt that these Irregularities may not be ascrloe0
TO a conspiracy the part of Dr. Charles East
and J. Thomas Hall, superintendent OF scnoois
subordinates OF Chamberlain.
Chamberlain's appointment IT appears was "1gor-
ously opposed by the late Senator Kyle VINO
charged that he was "a un-horn gambler aho
utterly unfit for place of trust Notwithstanding
this vehement protest, the South Dakota delegation
in Congress indorsed Chamberlain, and Senators
Kittredge and Gamble stand as his ackno"ledseo
hackers to-day.
There is understood to be effort on the part OF
some officials 10 make DR.. Eastman the scapegoat
for Chamberlain alleged irregularities, but hls rec
ord with the department is Of the highest NOT
wthstanding this fact, earnest attempt 10 haVt
him transferred because Of his knowing TOO mucn
was made by the South Dakota Senator's some
months ago. Charges more insinuating than oeE-
mite made al that time and were met with tLle
statement that properly preferred charges 9 Woula
be Immediately investigated and, II suoSta
would be followed by Dr. Eastnans dsn1!ssa1; O+e ~
such charges were never fled The attempt 70
charge Chamberlains irregularities 10 Eastman Is
therefore, regarded with grave suspicion as pe!ns
further demonstration Of the same enrnity y men
was surrepttiously displayed several months ago.
Until Secretary Hitchcock decides 10 make PUBIC
the reports of Inspectors Edwards and Churchlll,
more definite details be given, but IT may ne
said that emitting the Secretary ana me SCUM 4
Dakota Senators. the consensus OF opinion among
those officials in touch with the situation is ina.
affairs in the Crow Creek Agency require Ihorough
and drastic remedies.