The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-19

ON BRIBERY
CHARGE
John A. Benson Said to Have
Paid Clerk $500 for Trip on
Investigation Of Land Frauds

Washing ton, Dec ie.-John A. Benson,
. wealthy San Francisco real estate OPP
orator, charged by the Interior depart
ment with being the head OF the alleged
land frauds extending over dozen west
srn states and territories. to which secre-
tary Hitchcock referred vigorously and at
length In his annual report, was arrested
here yesterday at the willard hotel by
secret Service Officer John A. Burns Just
as ne was prepaing to leave the city TOT
New York.
The charge on which the arrest was
made was bribery. It being alleged In the
affidavits OF Mr. Burns and In the war
rant. that Benson had paid 500 to WOOD
ford ID. Harlan. formerly OF the special
Service division of the General Land Of
fce. on March ID of this year. for the pur-
pose OF extracting from him information
regarding the investigation OF his opera
tons at that time being made by the land
Office.
Tho warrant was issued by United
States Commissioner Taylor and Benson
was taken before him. lie wished 10 have
n preliminary hearing Of his case post
ponAd and the date of hearing was nxed
as Dec 90 lie gave bail for his appear
snce on that date, when the government
attorneys will ask 10 have him held for
the grand jury.
Numerous arvests are expected to FOL
low that OF Benson in short order, and
some employees who may not be arrested
viii be dismissed IL is said, from the ser
vica.
TO ANSWER DECOY LET TIERS.
The government attorneys, Arthur ID
PuEh. who has been the special attorney
for the interior department on the lano
frauds. and oliver H. Pagin. assistant at
torney Of the department OF justice. VINO
has also been employed on the cases,
stated in asking for larger paii BOND
Tor Benson that he had been guilty or
bribery during his present visit TO wash
ington since last Monday. and In the In
terror department itself. Notwithstanding
that he was fully aware that his connec-
ton with the alleged frauds was fully
known by the department..
The statement was made later that sec
retary Hitchcock was so in yensed At the
fagrancy OF this alleged offence that he
told the officers 60 have Benson arrested
at once. although II had not been planned
TO spprchend him at present.
Another assertion OF the government Of
fcials is that Benson came TO Washing
ton 10 answer 10 decoy letters and with
the intention OF bribing people in the land
office. who were In reality acting FOR the
secret service.
Mr.. Benson made formal plea OF not
guilty. and then his attorney asked that
he be released on bail. The accused Of
fered bail in x2oD cash. while the govern
ment attorneys demanded $1,000 bonds.
Finally Commissioner Taylor hxed tho
bond at 5000. and Mr. Benson was re-
leased 70 appear Pee 80 when a prelimi-
son is the senior member OF the real es-
tate firm Of Benson e. Hyde OF San Fran
cisco. and Ii Is asserted has defrauded the
government out OF at least 10000 acres OF
land by various schemes since the pass
age OF the Forest Reserve act I'm 1897. Tee
Information alleges that frauds were per
petrated as 10 lands IN Washington. ore
gon. California. Montana. Idaho. Nevada.
Utah, wyoming. Colorado. North Dakota
South Dakota. Nebraska. Kansas, Min
nesota- Arizona and New Mexico.