The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-19
LOOKING OVER FIELD
2 OF NEW ACTIVITIES
&c. j. Bonaparte Seeks Light
on Indian Land Frauds.
CONSULTING JUDGE RYAN
Interior Department Officials Said to
80 Doubt Distinguished Law
1919 yer's Success.

Charles J. Bonaparte, who has b@en
engaged by the President and Secretary
Hitchcock. OF the Interior Department,
to investigate the land frauds in the
Indian Territory. was at the Interior
Department yesterday and had long
conference with Judge Thomas Ryan,
Acting Secretary. for the purpose of ID
forming himself on the general sitIa-
ton and of gaining some idea of What
he is expected to do. rhe officials look
for Mr. Bonaparte to return next '9eek.
No great enthusiasm is. felt by deparI :
ment officials over the results apt to be
obtained by Mr. Bonaparte. His rlaus
sare not known. but there has been
much talk of his not going TO the Ter
~rftory in person. but making his report
on the documents in the department
and upon the reports of the assistants
The will name later. All in position 10
know the true inwardness of the frauds
assert such an investigation would be 50
imperfect as to be practically worthless
and the work could be done better by the
department itself.
Complicated Legal Questions.
g Many complicated and delicate legal
questions. it. is pointed out, enter into
the alleged frauds and there will be
masses OF conflicting testimony from all
sorts and conditions of persons. Under
the circumstances experienced Indian In
spectors and agents cannot see how MI
oBonaparte can hope TO accomplish mueh
while so far from the scene Of action.
Mr.. Bonaparte is also special counsel
for the Government in the prosecution
of the Postofice Department frauds His
work on those trials viii require his at
-tention until November, and in the mean
time those interested in seeing the LAND
fraud cases pressed are wondering how
he will be able TO go to the Territory tC
obtain evidence and at the same time
remain in Washington and prosecute
tie Postofice grafters
-saIt is generally recognized the lndiaI
sfrauds should be prosecuted with ta'
greatest possible dispatch The news
paper and special reports from the Ter
ritory are TO the effect that the alleged
grafters are making hay while the SUI
shines and are grabbing the Indian lands
with additional force and enthusiasm
because they anticipate an early gov
.ernmentaI check upon their operations.
Covering Their Tracks.
The longer drastic action Is delayed th'
harder it viii be to procure positive evi.
dence. Several OF the accused men are
able attorneys who stand at the top o.
their profession in the Territory. and
those who are really DESTROYS of seeing
punishment inflicted upon the despoIl-
ers of the Indians say that should these
attorneys be guilty they will not fai
to take advantage of the delay in the
investigation TO cover their tracks.
Mr.. Bonaparte's failure to call or
Scott Smith. private secretary to Secre-
tary Hitchcock. yesterday, was a source
of speculation this morning. Mr.. Smith
has exchanged a number or letters viii
Mr. Bonaparte and has seen him severa
times In regard TO the investigation
Mr.. Smith is also probably better in
formed upon the material the depart
ment has to furnish an investigator thar
any other man In the service, whil'
Judge Ryan has never professed to be
especially IN touch with Indian affairs