The National tribune., 1903-09-17

his allotment. and the tribal land invest
ment companies have learned to their sor-
Tow that two can play at the game of
grab. 1t was learned the other day that
a Creek Indian had leased his allotment IL
times at $40 n lease, and the companies
never recover their money in any such
case.
Senator Patterson, of Colorado, has just
returned from Alaska, where he has been
as member of the Alaskan Commission
selected by the Senate to visit the Terri
tory and report ON its needs. He says
Alaska needs good roads, and above all
else they need laws. He says every man
is law to himself. and the administration
Of justice is woefully slow. The mining
laws need 20 be reformed. he says, and
courts appointed with power to control
the Territory.
The other members of the committee are
Senator Dillingham;, of Wyom.; Senator
Burnham of y. H., and Senator Nelson,
of AIinn. They sailed from Seattle june
Is, and reached California Aug. %, glad
to get back on earth once more. The
committee has not yet decided what recon-
mcDdatiOns it will make to the Senate,
but it proposes to do everything possible
for the Territory.
Secretary Wilson is now looking for a
market for Macar0ni wheat, and has
asked the Department of Commerce and
Labor to ascertain, through, the Consular
service. suitable markets for it. 1t is a
hard grain well adapted to certain United
States soils, and is increasing in favor.
There were but 100000 bushels raised
IN 1902 and 100000 this year. 1t is
thought there will be a good market for it
abroad.
Here's something to jolt you in this
year of 1903. One might easily fancy it
1903 instead. The State Department has
begun proceedings against some men in
Savannah, Ga, who. are charged with
having shanghied Joseph Terrell Rucker,
nephew of the Governor of Georgia, and
other Savannah young men who were
taken aboard the British bark Kambira
and put to work. This happened nearly
three months ago. As the young men be-
long to de fus' families. suh," their rela-
tives propose to give the British officers
involved a run for their money, and will
push the investigation TO the limit.
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay
have under consideration the appointment
of the American members TO the Inter
national Commission to devise a plan for
lakes. This Commission will consist of
six members, three to be appointed by
President Roosevelt and three by the Brit
ish Government.
1t has been learned by the officials of
this Government that there will be no OBJ
lection on the part of Great Britain to CO.
operating with the United States to bring
about better conditions on the lakes. There
&c nxtr rrt.lt .nY, Of Eve thn
levels of the lakes, and this, of course, has
a disastrous effect on commerce.
This Commission will investigate the
conditions and uses of the waters ada
cent to the boundary line between Canada
and the United States. 1t will report on
the effect on the shores of these waters
and structures located on the shores and
upon the interests of navigation of the d.
version of the waters or change in natural
flow. The Commission probably will agree
upon the ACCESSIBILITY of constructing a
dam at the outlet of Lake Erie Many
months of work will be required to COM
plete these investigations. but the work
will be facilitated by data which has been
gathered by engineer officers of the Army
stationed on the great lakes.
At Augusta. Ga. on the request of
Sam Thorpe, negro prisoner, Presi-
dent Roosevelt ordered the Jail inspected
by Deputy Marshal Stalnaker. and. ac-
cOrding to his report. Federal prisoners
awaiting trial are subjected to frightful
cruelty. If the prisoners laugh or sing
they are beaten with traces locked in cells,
and deprived of food and water. As many
as 20 prisoners, Stalnaker says, have been
shut in one small cell, overrun with YER
min. He declares that it is wonder pris-
oners have not died from the treatment.
Thorpe smuggled letter out of the prison
directed to President Roosevelt. and the
authorities promptly took up the case.