The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-12-03
DELAY THE MAIN POINT.
General Cry Of the People in lndiar
Territory Troubles.
special to Daily Leader.

opeclAi 70 daily L61uels
Muskogee, I, T., Dec 3.-The fact
that IN his investigation Of INDIAN
territory affairs It is the intention of
Clinton Roger Woodruff, Mr. Bona
parties assistant. to inspect the system
in vogue here is gratifying to many
who have complained OF delay. This
has been the general cry Of people who
had business with both the Dawes
commission and the Indian depart
ment here, especially SO where these
two departments are dominated by the
interior department
IH a statement made yesterday, Mr..
woodrufi declared this was his inten-
tion. II he finds the delay in righting
difficulties was due to the fact that
the authorities here did not use due
diligence, he intimated, this would be
considered worthy Of criticism. Then,
too, II the red tape with which the
interior department has hedged about
the problem Of ailotting Indian lands
is found to be unnecessary and only
cause confusion. Mr. Woodruff said he
thought II would be well to suggest its
diecontinuance, providing the welfare
OF the Indian would not be injured
thereby rs>FI
During the time he is in Indian ter
ritory Mr.. woodruff win make his
headquarters here, but this week he
proposes to go TO ohmulgee, 'Tisho-
mingo and Atoka After returning
here he viii make at least enc trip to
South McAlester and Tahlequah The
trust companies at all Of these places
with which the names of members of
the Dawes commission and olhsr gov
ernment officials have at various times
been connected win be examined care
fully
The fact that there is grating go
ing on here" said Mr. Woodruff yes
terday. "is, believe, tacitly admitted
on allsides. But the question resolves
itself into whether this grating has
been done by government officials or
private individuals. II It has been
done solely by the latter and is within
the strict letter of the law ! do not
see where II can be stopped"
In his investigation Mr.. Woodruff
Is not deyoting all his time to the Of
ficial data and records. He mixes
with the people and frankly asks their
views. To all he lends a ready ear,
but gives vent to no expression of his
own, or II he does make answer to a
direct question he 80 guards It that It
reverts back to the truth or falsity OF
the question. AS people talk to him
he takes notes and when necessary
asks questions. but for the most part
he is a silent listener During his
trip this week he win be readily ac.
cessible to any who have complaints
TO make, and all of such he intends to
investigate.
There is a general air Of expectancy,
both with the people here and the Of
ficials. One man who holds fat gov
ernment job. and upon whom the
breath Of suspicion has blown, is said
to have given sigh of relief when he
heard yesterday of Mr.. woodruH's ar
rival h@lf FsfEI 81 HWN
ITS the suspense" said he "IYe
felt like man under cloud, and with
this investigator here have chance
TO clear myself Al least can fight
in the open"
The people, apparently, have the ut.
most confidence that the investigation
Will be thorough aud that II the wrongs
of which they have complained have
been due to the officials here a report
10 that effect will be made