The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-08-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

II 10 NObhbSh1iC APNNh@N thol hAIS ~
ident will appoint commission, or COM
missioner, to investigate the alleged
frauds perpetrated on the Five Civilized
tribes of Indians in connection with the
allotment in severalty of the lands in the
Indian Territory, which they have here
tofore held in tribal ownership, the atten
ton of the President having been called
to the scandal by public letter of the
Indian Rights Association. In this let
ter it is alleged that several members of
the Dawes Commission, charged with
the allotment of the lands, are stockhold
ers and directors of companies and syndi-
Gates which are making large profits
dealing in Indian lands and at the ex-
pense of the Indians to whom the desir-
ability of ready cash, even in small
amounts, far outweighs all considerations
of actual or potential value.
*x*
When the attention of the Secretary Of
the Interior was called to the open letter
of the Indian Rights Association he
pointed out that most of the persons said
to be associated with the companies in
question were without his jurisdiction. In
the case of Guy P. Cobb, formerly inter.
nal revenue inspector of the Indian Ter
ritory, the Secretary said Cobb had con-
suited him with regard to the compati-
bility of retaining his federal Office after
becoming director of an Indian Terri
tory investment company, and the Secre-
tary had advised him of the necessity of
handing in his resignation, which Cobb
promptly did. The Secretary further
called to the attention of the Department
of Justice, some months ago, the fact that
District Attorney P. L. Soper, whose
duties require him to protect the rights Of
the Indians, was associated with various
land syndicates. So far as can be learned,
the Department of Justice took no action
in the matter. In so far as members of
Secretary of the interior can do nothing
as they are responsible only to Congress
and to the President whose appointees
they are.
~
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson has
just made public an important and in
structive interview in which he sets forth
the injury now being done to the cotton
industry by the gamblers in that staple.
The Secretary points to the fact that the
producer of cotton is in no way benefited
by the prevailing abnormally high prices,
for the increase in price has all occurred
since the cotton left the producers hands.
He shows the injury done to the manu-
facturers who are unable to operate their
mills because the raw cotton is too expen-
sive to permit of economical manufacture.
incidentally there is, also, great suffering
among the mill operatives who are thus
thrown out Of employment. A further
and possibly more serious result is the
impetus being given to foreign cotton
production by the high price in the Unit
ed States. British manufacturers, deter
mined to free themselves from the power
of the American spectators, are afford
ing every encouragement to the produc-
ers in Asia and Africa and the result may
prove disastrous to the industry in this
country for many years to come. Accord
ing to the Secretary, the only persons to
profit by the present high prices are the
comparatively few spectators who have
cornered the market
~
A report recently circulated to the effect
that the President had ordered thorough
investigation of the relations of all Gov
eminent employees with labor unions,
with view to ascertaining if in any ill.,
stance non-uniop labor was Disseminated
against, turns out to be without founda-
ton. 1t appears that following his ulti-
matum in regard to the William Miller
case, the president caused to be made a
thorough investigation of the methods in
the Government Printing Office, and in
making their inquiry the committee
charged with this investigation asked the
heads of all executive departments GER
tain questions relating to their experiences
with organized labor. Aside from this
incident of the Printing Office inquiry,
the alleged investigation has no founda-
ton. The investigation of the Printing
Office is now completed and Secretary
Cortelyou has gone to Oyster Bay with
the findings. When, if ever, they will be
made public depends entirely upon the
President.
~
An interesting move, now being dis
cussed as likely to be made by Congress
with view to preventing General Leon
ard Wood from occupying the position
of Lieutenant General, is here made pub
lie for the first time. Leading members
of Congress are seriously discussing the
ACCESSIBILITY of enacting law abolishing
the rank of lieutenant general, the law to
take effect when the last veteran of the
civil war retires from that position. This
would have the effect of abolishing the
rank just as Wood was about to succeed
to that position and would, i'll the opinion
of many members Of Congress, be poetic
justice to a soldier whose promotion is
regarded as having been more than de