The Washington times., 1903-08-21
Hitchcock'S Denial of
Their Charges Puts
Them in Bad Light.
ALL WERE DISREGARDED
Secretary of Interior Prom
iSes a Full Investigation
of All Charges.

Secretary Hitchcock has public a full
er statement as to the deposit of funds
received for Territorial Improvement
than was published in The Times OF yes
terday.
II am amazed said he, that
creditable papers should give publicity
TO charges, some of which are so grave
ly erroneous. For instance, the allie
cation that have caused to be deposited
In trust companies in St. Louis funds
accruing from Congressional appropria-
tions and from the sale of improvements
in the Indian Territory, which funds are
to be devoted TO certain municipal pro-
tects. as bridges. road improvements.
waterworks. ETC.. and that have delayed
these improvements in order that the
depositaries might profit by the interest.
is wholly without foundation.
Funds Sent to Subtreasury.
Every cent have received from these
sources has been converted immediate
ly into the United States subtreasury at
st. Louis. Delay there has been, but II
was unavoidable.
Specifications Cor the required pub
lie improvements were prepared and
bids submitted, and, in some cases. ac-
cepted by the local authorities, but on
examination + became evident that
graft rather than the benefit OF the
community was sought by practically all
the bidders. at least by all whose bids
had been accepted
As an instance / might cite one case
where a member OF Congress received
an offer of $500 from a competitor who
soughs the influence OF the member in
getting his bid accepted. MetaphorieaI-
ly speaking, the member OF Congress
threw that bidder downstairs. That is
a sample of the class OF bids first re-
ceived
''On investigation I found that specI-
fcations had been prepared for the
erection of waterworks in places where
there was no adequate wafer supply.
In other instances il was proposed to
erect permanent bridges on piling al
ready rotten.
Under these circumstances ] deemed
II necessary to throw out all bids, and
then sought the assistance OF experts of
the Geological Survey Some of their
photographic men a~o ~1w engaged In
selecting the best sole sites for
waterworks. Other making sur
veys and preparing ..>ccifcations for
bridges which will prove of a suitable
character. IN the meantime there is. of
course, indignation among the 'grafters'
whose bids have turned down
A Personal Investigation
The charges contained in the report
OF Mr.. Brosious, special agent OF the
Indian Rights Association. 1 feel some
delicacy about discussing. IT strikes
me as such an extraordinary proceeding
10 have made public this report before
! had had an opportunity to see il that
l have today written TO President Car
rett. Of the association named. to as
certain II such publication was with his
full knowledge and consent.
In the meantime / can only say that
many Of the charges contained in Bros
ious' report came TO my attention some
months ago. and with view OF securing
full justice 10 the Indian I Instituted an
Investigation and personally made trip
TO the Territory concerned.
In some instances l found oppor-
tunities for making important correc-
tions- For instance, / found that the
allegation that the Indians were about
10 receive far from adequate compen-
saticn for what are known as inherited
lands was correct. then Cancelled the
regulations in existence and issued a
new form. one Of the chief provisions OF
which required that all lands to be sold
must be publicly posted for a specified
time in advance.
Meanwhile / gave Instructions that
no deed should be confirmed by the de-
partment, and those Instructions were
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