Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-22
ALLEGED LAND FRAUDS
NO DEVELOPMENTS IN THE IN
TERROR DEPARTMENT.
Gov. Chamberlain Of Oregon Also a
Caller About Land Claim
Recently Settled.

The recent reports of startling discoveries
of fraud in connection with the timber
land reservations in Oregon has not been
allowed to disturb the serenity of the calm
that prevails at the Department of the In
terror. In the cold, judicious manner OF
the Secretary of this department is to be
found a reflection OF what pervades the
whole department. Secretary Hitchcock
has given forth the command to nail the
frauds on the swndlers beyond shadow
of doubt first, then, give him the reins
and he will do the rest. The department
feels that this is all that is needed
Every day Secretary Hitchcock talks
over the situation with his advisors, and
every day teiegraphic or written inStruc-
tions are sent to the agents of the de-
partment in every section of the country
as to what they shall do. Every man
employed by the Secretary in locating the
guilty officials has been given free hand
and will have no interference from head
quarters, SO the Secretary declares, the
only stipulation being that the right par
ties shall be found and convicted.
MI. Pinchot Has an Interview.
This morning Mr.. Clifford Pinchot, the
head of the bureau of forestry of the De-
partment of Agriculture, was closeted with
the Secretary for long time. What was
discussed is not positively known, as
neither of the parties to the conference
wou,u talk. 1t is understood. however. that
Mr.. Pinchot expressed some views regard
ing the forest reservations and the conduct
of an investigation as to any fraud that
might develop.
Governor Chamberlain of Oregon was
another caller. Governor Chamberlain is
interested in the settlement of certain mat
ters connected with the public lands in his
state, about which there has been consider
able controversy during the past few years.
But short time ago the assistant attorney
general for the interior Department was
called upon for an opinion as to the Legality
of private claim to certain land that had
been sold by the state to corporation, and
which, the state had contended not le-
gally sold. The controversy continued for
years. and was only finally disposed Of by the
assistant attorney general within the past
few weeks by confirming the title of the
corporation to the land, which it had re-
claimed from a swamp to a valuable agri-
cultural tract. Governor Chamberlain op-
posed the granting of the title to the cor
poraton in question, and ii is understood
that this has something to do with his visit
here on this occasion.
Mr.. TamS BiNby, chairman of the Dawes
commi ssion, has been a visitor at the de
partment every day since his arrival in the
city, last Saturday. Mr.. BiXby has seen the
Secretary only once since his arrival, it is
understood, and has confined his attentions
to the first assistant secretary, Judge
Thomas Ryan. Mr.. Bixby said this morn
ing that far as he knew there was no
new development in the charges against the
various officials in Indian territory. He ue-
clined to say when he would return to In
dian territory, as he has not yet finished
his business here in connection with TIE
Delaware alotments and his report on the
work Of the Dawes commission for the past
year