New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-28
INDIAN LAND FRAUDS.
UGLY RUMORS DENIED.
to Discredit Admirlistra-
tion-Mr. Hitchcock's Statement.
GFRo1i THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

Washington. Aug. 2I.--There are some indl-
cations that political enemies are taking advan-
tage Of the Indian Territory scanoal to bring
discredit the administration, and that per-
sonal opponents of the Secretary of the Interior
are availing themselves of what appears 10 them
to be an opportunity TO viify Mr. Hitchcock.
This view is, at least entertained by the Secre-
tary himself, and arises from several reports
which have been circulated recently.
One OF these reports, founded interview
given by Colonel StiIwen H. Russell, of Ard
more, Ind T., is that the Secretary Of the Treas
ury, by assuming the position of executor or his
brothers estate. had placed himself in a posi-
ton where he was leasing Indian Territory coal
lands to himself. It was alleged that the late
brother of the Secretary was vice-president OF
a company which enjoyed extensive leases in
the Territory and that, as his brothers ex-
ecutor. the Secretary had assumed the interests
Of the company
When seen by a representative Of The Trib-
une Secretary Hitchcock said that. in the first
place. he not his brothers executor, that
place being filed by his brothers son, and, in
the second place, the company Of which MS
brother had been vice president had never, to
his knowledge. held any Indian Territory coal
leases. The Secretary further said that ne had
at one time. prior to his service as Ambassador
to Russia, been president OF the High Tower
Coal Company which had extensive mines in
Southern Illinois, and the experience he gained
while in that place had enabled him to super
wise the leasing Of the coal lands Of the Indians
with experts knowledge. In so doing be had
made many enemies but had at the same time
secured to the Indians much larger returns from
their coal lands than they had hitherto enjoyed.
For instance, he had increased the rental to
companies working the mines from 10 cents
ton for lump coal to eight cents ton mine run.
He baI ole
companies had attempted to secure extensive
leases, and then use them collateral for build
ing railroads and other enterprises
Another rurnor in circulation to-day was that
the auditor for the Interior Department had no
record of Secretary Hitchcock having deposited
IN the Sub-Treasury at St Louis the funds real
lied from the sale of the town sites Of Hobart
Lawton and Anadarko, Okla. When Secretary
Hitchcock's attention was called to this report
he pointed out that there was no occasion for
the auditor of the Interior Department to have
such record, because he had. under special
provision of the act Of Congress- deposited the
funds under the supervision Of the Treasurer OF
the United States, who would verify the state
Inent that the funds were so deposited
Secretary Hitchcock to-day received a COM
munication from Tams Bixby ard T. B. Needles.
of the Dawes Commission, which reads fol-
lows
Secretary of Interior. Washington.
Widespread and continued newspaper criticism
our work and fidelity to duty impels to
ton be instituted and that the President be IN
formed Of this desire work unparalleled In the
history OF civilization the result Of years Of
renting toll. is threatened by fanatical reports
to The %or Of e on whoe
reputation for honesty ability and feaIlesSness IS
versaily accepted anu "-iO'7 FANS BTXBY UNI
Commissioners.
To this telegram the Secretary Immediately
replied that as soon as the proper man could
be employed he would be sent TO the Territory
with instructions to make a complete and i'm
partial inquiry into conditions there.
1t is learned that Secretary Hitchcock is ex-
| periencing some difficulty in persuading the
commissioner selected by himself and the Presi-
dent to serve on what promises to be a ex-
! tremely arduous and somewhat thankess IN
| dertaking the investigation Of the land scan
| dals. At the close Of business to-day the Sec
rotary had received reply from President
! Garrett of the Indian Rights Associa ton. a
| statement reached Wash ngton to-day from
! W. Z. Stanley Of the Dawes Commission who
| was the last member OF the commission to be
! accused of being associated with the Indian
! Territory land companies. Mr. Stanley says
| that, before leaving the Territory for his home
| in Kansas, he gave his approval to the o.
| ganzation OF a company to make short time
| loans. During his absence and accompanying
! illness the Tishoningo Trust Company was
! organized, and he was elected vice president
| but without his knowledge or consent He says
| he never would have consented to being con-
nected with a company dealing in Indian lands
| and that he regards the leasing of such lands
| as an outrage, although it is not in the over
| Of the Dawes Commission to prevent it. He
| asserts that there is crying need for a law
| which will make the leases now being executed
| invalid, If they are not so already
| report received from Muskogee is to the
effect that James Mccoy, assistant TO the United
| States Attorney. handed h his resignation be-
cause he could make no defence, his name ap-
! pearing on the letter head Of the Canadian Val
| ley Trust Company, OF which Tams BXby is
| president, and he having occupied he o7ce #
| that company on the ground floor of the build
| ing in which the Dawes Commission makes its
| headquarters, as described in yesterdays Trib-
|