New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-26
LAND SCANDAL GROWS.
PROBING TO BE THOROUGH
Investigations Ordered by Dir. Knor
and Secretary Hitchcock.
[FRoM THE rR1RuNE nuREAU. ]


Washington, Aug. 25-A vigorous and ex-
haustive investigation Of the Indian Territory
scandals, which have revealed an organized
system of graft involving lands worth at least
$3.50 600 000 is about to be instituted by AT
torney General Knox and Secretary Hitchcock
each acting Independently however. 1t was
announced at the Department Of Justice to-day
that a special examiner will proceed at once 10
Indian Territory and will carefully scrutinlze
the alleged connection Of United States District
Attorney P. L. soper, his assistant, James H.
Huckleberry and United States Marshal Ber-
jarnin H. Colbert with the Tribal Development
Company and other concerns engaged in secur-
ing control Of the Indian lands, The identity
of the special examiner is not disclosed Out II
is stated that he will make a thorough investlga-
ton and that his report will be submitted to the
President.
1t could not be learned to-day If the resigna-
tions Of these officials will be called for in case
the charges made against them should be sub
Stimulated, or if they would have the option OF
resigning or severing such connections. but
significant reference was made to the expert
ence Of Governor Jenkins of Oklahoma, whom
the President promptly removed from office and
to whom Mr.. Roosevelt addressed scathing
rebuke, without even allowing Jenkins time to
make defence, when it became known that the
Governor was personally interested in the con-
tract for supplying food to the Oklahoma Insane
Asylum.
Secretary Hitchcock has determined to pre-
cipitate an immediate investigation into the
scandals among those responsible to his depart
rnent. including the members Of the Dawes
Commission. The person chosen to make this
investigation will be selected with the full ap-
prevail of the President, but his identity Is thus
far withheld. 1t is stated however, that he will
be man in no way connected with the Interior
Department at the present time.
TROUBLE AHEAD FOR SOMEBODY.
That an investigation by Secretary Hitchcock
will prove a serious affair for those officials who
have been so indiscreet to associate them
selves with land and investment companies is
foreshadowed by the Secretary's prompt action
IN the case of Guy P Cobb. formerly United
State Internal Revenue Inspector for Indian Ter
ritory, and by other instances, Mr.. Cobb wrote
to the Secretary that he had allied himself with
the Tribal Development Company OF Tisho-
Iningo and the Secretary promptly demanded
Mr.. Cobh's resignation pointing out that it was
utterly incompatible for an official Of the gov
eminent to retain his federal position and take
part in the counsels and profits Of such con-
Germ. In at least two other instances Secretary
Hitchcock has peremptorily dismissed subordi-
mates who have become interested in Indian
lands and he has always been emphatic in his
condemnation Of such course.
A resident of Indian Territory who is now in
Washington is authority for the statement that
the Canadian Valley company, of Muskee, Of
which Tams Bixby, chairman of the Dawes
commission is president; G. W. Hopkins, for
rnerly law clerk of the commission, is an en-
ploye, ard P G. Reuter-. clerk in charge Of the
land Office Of the commission is director, has
its Office in the same building as the Dawes
ground floor formerly occupied by the Dawes
commission the commission having removed to
the floor above.
MILLIONS OF ACRES INVOLVED.
AS a result Of this convenient arrangement
the untutored savage walks innocently into the
office of the company, to the representatives Of
which he explains his business 1t is alleged
that these representatives are not always
scrupulous to explain that they not, at that
particular moment, representing the Dawes
commission but are members of a private in
stitution and the Indian who has valuable lands
to lease or sell completes his business according
to their dictation, makes his mark in the pres
ence Of witnesses, and goes his way. all inno-
cent Of the fact that he has not been dealing
with the Dawes board the authorized repre-
sentative of the President and Of Congress- ana
equally innocent, it is maintained. OF the fact
that in the lease he has just executed there is
a
take effect when. under the provisions OF the
law, he will be at liberty 20 sell.
The lands with which the Dawes conmissIoa
is dealing include approximately 3OO0V99
acres, having an estimated average value OF 90
an acre, belonging TO the Creeks who, under the
terms of their treaty at liberty 10 sell their
lands Immediately; II 100000 acres belonging
TO the Choctaws and Chickasaws, having an
average estimated value of SO acre; oOOO-
900 acres belonging TO the Cherokees. estimated
as worth IS an acre, and 100000 acres belong
ing TO the Seminoles. estimated as worth $40 an
acre.
In all but the first instance the Indians are not
allowed to part with their lands in less than
five years but it is charged that leases contain
ing options or contracts for sale are used TO get
around the prohibition by Congress OF imIne-
date sale
The Secretary OF the Interior to-day received
from Assistant Secretary Sniffen Of the Indian
Rights Association d communication statlng
that the Secretary's letter to President Garrett
Of that association had been forwarded 10 MI
Garrett, and that Mr.. Hitchcock would DOUBT
less hear from Mr.. Garrett within few days
In the mean time Secretary Hitchcock teels
that as a matter Of courtesy, he must refrain
from making any statement for publication with
regard to the Brcsius report.