Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-22
WILL MAKE INQUIRY
Representative Curtis Going
to Indian Territory.
PUBLISHED CHARGES
EXPRESSES DOUBT AS TO THE
TRUTH OF CERTAIN REPORTS.
Favors Decrease Of the Dawes Commis-
sion - Coming Investigation by
Senator Stewards Committee.

representative CndTAcS Sui l6 VI hanodo'
ranking member Of the committee on In
dian affairs Of the House, will go to Indian
territory October 15. and while there will
make an investigation Of the conditions
that have led to the soandaleus reports that
have gained circulation during the past
month regarding the despoilstion Of the In
dams by the sharp practices of the resi-
dents Of the territory. Mr., Curtis was a
visitor at the Interior Department this
morning, and had a conference with Acting
Secretary Ryan. 1t is not thought that the
Indian troubles were discussed at any
length during the conference
Existing Laws Sufficient.
Il believe that the existing laws enacted
for the benefit of the Indians are sufficient
for any emergency that may arise" said
Mr.. Curtis to Star reporter. IF there is
need Of moro stringent laws I believe
that Congress will be glad 70 enact them.
There are so many conflicting reports re-
garding the condition of affairs in the ter
ritory that it is very difficult to arrive at a
proper conclusion. 1 am of course familiar
with the affairs Of the territory. having
visited there frequently as member Of
Congress and on other occasions. The law
now in force in the territory certainly seems
to provide for the punishment of the Of
fenses which have been charged in the
press, and I am Of the opinion that the
charges will not pan out as they have been
represented in every case. There!is no rea-
son in the world why q scandalous condition
of affairs should exist. The present law.
known as the Curtis law, provides for the
rigid inspection of all leases Of the allot-
ments, and there Is not the slightest chance
of the allottee getting the worst Of 1t except
through the perversion of the law.
"One would be led. from the published re-
ports. to believe that the people Of the ter
ritory, the white people I mean, are the
veriest highwaymen and skinfiintD. waiting
to grasp an opportunity to rob the Indian.
This Is not true in any sense of the word.
The territory has thousands OF honest white
citizens who are eager to get possession Of
the Indian lands. and who are willing to
either for leases or to purchase them out
right.
The Dawes Commission.
'"There Is one thing, however, that think
would improve the aspect OF things in the
territory-a reduction Of the number of
commissioners connected WITH thu Dawes
commission.
II believe that the commission. as 1t now
exists. is unwieldy. and that the number
should be reduced. Three years ago I
counseled this reduction, advising the ap-
pointment of only one commissioner, but it
was thought best to continue with five.
At that time the Secretary of the Interior
wanted to appoint seven men on the COM
mission. I believe that the work Of the
government could be done much more ex-
peditiously and that the commissions la
bors could be completed in q much shorter
time by the adoption Of one-man commits
sion. Too many heads complicate matters,
you know, and affairs In Indian territory
are in much the same condition the affairs
OF the Interior Department would be II
there were five secretaries instead of one
The House committee on Indian affairs
Will not go to Indian territory, but will
go alone. l am going to my home in Kan
sas shortly. and expect to leave there for
the territory about October 1b have tust
returned from a visit to the President at
his summer home. He is looking we'll and
will shortly return to Washington"
The Senate committee on Indian affairs
VIII send subcommittee. consisting Of
OF Pennsylvania, Senator Platt Of Connec-
ticut and Senator Clark Of Wyoming, SEN
ator Quarles Of Wisconsin was invited to
go with the committee, but he declined to
go on the ground that he visited the ter
ritory last year and was familiar with the
conditions. Senator Steward is the chair
man both Of the committee and the sub
committee, and he does not desire to take
his associates into the territory until Mr.
Bonaparte has concluded his investigation.
He has set October rs as the probable date
of departure for the subcommittee but no
one at the Interior Department believes
the investigation will have finished by that
time.
A letter was received from Mr.. Bona
parte at the department today. but he did
not say whom he expected to come to Wash
ington or how he would prosecute the in
vestgation. He Is expected to arrive here
within the next two or three days, how
ever.