New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-22
INDIAN LAND SCANDALS.
IN NQUIRY EXPECTED.
President Likely to Appoint a Com
mission to Look Into CHARGES.
IFRoN TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU.J


[FRoN TIE TRIBUNE BUEEAU1
washington. Aug. 21-The appointment bv
the President Of q special commission or com
missioner 10 investigate the frauds alleged 10
have been perpetrated on the five civilized tribes
Of Indians in connection with the allotment in
saveralty Of the lands in the Indian Territory
heretofore held in tribal ownership is confident
IL expected by persons familiar with the situa-
non II is admitted by those possessing ac-
cu-ate knowledge Of the land companies and
their operations. referred to in the report of
M Brosius. special agent Of the Indian Rights
Association printed in The Tribune last Sum
day that in the main the allegations made by
NJ Brosius are correct, but the point is en-
phaslzed that as most Of the Irregularities are
chargeabIe 70 the Dawes Commiss on they are
without the Jurisdiction of the Secretary of the
Interior.
As was told in The Tribune Of August 16 the
President now has q personal representative in
the Indian Territory. who. it has been expected.
would extend his Investigation to include the
scandals 10 which attention has been called by
the indian Rights Association. This representa-
live Francis z. Leupp. went TO Oklahoma to
make AZ inquiry regarding the conduct Of an
Indian agent against whom charges were fled
in the last days Of the With Congress. and as
soon as the BrosiUs report was made public Mr.
Leurp was Immediately requested to look into
the matter Il IS now learned, however through
a personal letter from Mr.. Leupp TO an asso-
,iate il Washington. that the condition Of his
health. together with the trying climate and
1he arduous duties he has already performed
VIII render il impossible for him to undertake
the new duties which it has been sought to
impose On him.
SECRETARY HITCHCOCK'S ATTITUDE.
Evidence Of the attitude of The Secretary Of
the Interior 10 government officials who engage
in enterprises in which the profits must be mace
at the expense Of the Indians is furnished by
The case Of Guy P Cobb, mentioned in the
Brcsius report as being the largest stockholder
in the Tribal Development Company. Of Tisho-
uingo, Ind. T, and also internal revenue in
spector for the Territory. At the time of the
organization Of this company Mr.. Cobb wrote
70 the department asking if il would be in
compatible with the public interests for him TO
remain in the government service He was
promptly informed that il would and his resig-
nation was Immediately sent to the department.
In the case OF P. L. Soper. United States Dis
trict Attorney, mentioned in the Brosius report
IS being stockholder in the Tribal Develop
Dlent Company, a stockholGer in and attorney
for the Cherokee Oh and Gas Company and
general counsel for the st Louis and san Fran
cisco Railroad Company, whose interests fire.
quenty conflict with those Of the Indian" il is
said that Secretary Hitchcock filed a protest
against this anomalous condition Of affairs with
the Department Of Justice, whose employe Soper
is some months ago, although it cannot be
learned that the Department OF Justice has ever
taken any action in the premises.
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION LIKELY.
With regard to other officials mentioned n the
Fg~oc
the Dawes Commission, and only the President
or Congress can interrogate with regard to their
various enterprises It is a matter of record
however, that some years ago Secretary Hitch,
COCK brought 10 the attention of the President
the cellcacy Of TaEns BiXbys position as chair
man q The Dawes Commission. because Of Mr..
blNbys varied interests In view Of the differ
eHl allI pr-lles involved and the fact that
port from any subordinate Of the Department
OF the Interior would fail TO carry with il the
weight Of one made by a disin1e~este5 outsider
u knoWn ability and prObity. il is believed T-at
President Roosevelt viii promptly appoint such
a commissioner with authority TO probe these
: di.3z IS 70 the bottom, and report directly 10
Documentary evidence has been submitted TO .
I ne 1Tlblnes correspondent which effectively
li-loseS Of the allegation that charges of cor
ruI-lol in the administration Of funds of the
towns of LAYTON, Auadarko and Hobart Okla
nave tee1 made against Secretary Hitchcock
and filed with the President Included in this
-7l-, t, r lhe LelLioa on which the allegation
was evidently founded. forwarded 10 the Presi-
-eAl and by aim referred TO the Secretary of
the interior without recommendation The petit
non. Nl-cl was signed by the Mayor of I.avgt0u
Iec-lAd the inconvenience these towns are si1f-
ierlns because Of The delay III public improve
lneAts. sad that the funds necessary for such
III pi oN eleIlls were Ia the hands Of The Depart-
He--l OF me Interior. and urged the President 10
s&prol-7 me construction Of wa1ervorlys
.--lzeS. &C acre i. however, no intinlation of
. .a-l ----tt-l1i IN tf@ document The eynIana-
non - Secretary Hitchcock in The 0-r5F--ra -f
MS .9l.-ns reveals The cause Of the DELAY in
h.o' -e--s me Improvement desired and that.
y IN tler evidence submitted to-day
leads 10 tEe inevitable conclusion r1ar tFa -,boi
.7F --a4 3e summed up q conflict between
-r impatient boom spirit OF the Wesr which
.-eoHS no delay IN improving its towns and The
4e -eiii liaflon ot the Secretary OF ma Tnrerior
l--t ne pleEe works TO be constructed under
-i- 71t7iF- s-a-- OF ia7 government shall be Of 2
IL .siellj and Merlt0riCus character