The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-11-23
No Report
Is Secretary Hitch
cock Holding up
Things
Special to DAILY Leader.

Washington, D. c., Nov 23.-Why is /
ID that the annual reports of the /
Dawes commission. Special Agent J.
George Wright and Indian Agent
Shoenfelt have not been made public |
by the secretary of the interior?
rhe above question is one which is
being frequently asked now, not alone I
by people from the territory but by
members of congress who are anxious /
TO secure information with reference /
to the operations of the federal Of
ficials in the territory No explana
ton can be secured from the interior
department other than that the re-
ports are not ready
But there is another explanation.
One which Secretary Hitchcock prob
ably does not desire made public 1t
Is a story that does not reflect credit
upon the head of the department, and
at the same time indicates how plant
his subordinates are in the territory,
that is if they now do his bidding 1t
is story hard to believe yet it comes
40 me from source which cannot oe
questioned I would not purposely
misrepresent Secretary Hitchcock
His secretiveness, his indisposition to
answer even civil and pertinent ques-
tions pertaining to affairs in the ter
rltory at this time, compels me to be-
lieve that the following story is true
in all essential respects;
why is It that the annual reports
of the officers in Indian territory have
not been made public?' ] asked
prominent attorney of this city
Because the reports, as submitted,
do not correspond with an affidavit
made by Secretary Hitchcock and
which was submitted to the supreme
court of the District of Columbia in
the mandamus suit brought by the
Delaware Indians TO compel him to
segregate certain lands in the Cher
okee nation Secretary Hitchcock
stared in his affidavit that certain
things had not been done; the report
of the Dawes commission showed that
they had been done The report sub
mitted by the commission six weeks
ago has been revised TO suit the secre'
tary and returned to the members OF
the Dawes commission for their sigma
ture"
THAT does not seem possible
remarked.
TT Is not only possible, but true.
the attorney replied. Il know whereof
speak. and the facts are just as
have stated" he continued. "Tht
Delawares would have won their man
damus suit but for Secretary Hitch
cocks affidavit, and now the reports
of the officers in Indian territory are
being doctored to conform to his al
hdayit This matter will shortly b'
carried to the president presented
Ia Mr. Roosevelt, and he win be ask
ed to take appropriate action
There is no doubt but that there i
again a concerted effort to secure ar
other secretary Of the interior and q
depose Mr.. Hitchcock. In this cor
neclon an amusing story is going tn
rounds which will afford Secretar
Hitehcock's closest friends and admit
ers in the territory much amusement
when President Mckinley died, an
Mr.. Roosevelt assumed the reins
government he sent for each membe
OF his predecessors cabinet and aske
him to remain at least temporaril
with him When the invitation wa
extended to the Missourian to RENAL
temporarily at the head Of the int
ior department he is reported to hav
replied. Certainly, Mr.. President
viii not only remain with you tempo
arily, but AS long as you are pres
dent"