The Washington times., 1905-02-14
NEW |ND|CT MENTS
IN LAND FRAUDS
Mitchell, Williamson, and
hermann.
A CONSPIRACY Is ALLEGED
Attempt to Create Blue Mountain Pre-
serve and to Control School
Lands of Great Value.
A CONSPIRACY is ALLEGED

Still more sensational developments
are promised by the Interior Depart
ment in connection with the public land
scandals now being prosecuted in the
West by Secretary Hitchcock.
Oregon has been the storm center so
far. United States Senator, Mr..
Mitchell, and two members of Congress.
Messrs Hermann and Williamson, hav-
ing already been indicted.
1t was announced some time ago that
under the direction of Secretary Hitch
cock Inquiries were being made in every
State in the West where there are pub
lie lands, and that great deal had
been developed tending TO show frauds
on a large scale in public forests, as
we'll as in lands. The timber depreda-
ton cases have been of comparatively
little consequence, although in many Of
them the Government has recovered
small amounts from individual tres
passers.
Will Bag Big Game.
While the department officials decline
to go into "details, there are intimations
that more big game will be bagged by
the special agents of the department.
Operations will soon be begun in earnest
In Wyoming and some of the other
cock has been directed by the President
to make the Investigation as sweeping
as possible, and the Secretary is expect
ed to remain iii the Cabinet until he
finishes the work in which he has al
ready made good progress.
Indictments charging conspiracy to de-
feat the ends of justice We're also
brought in by the grand jury against
ohm H. Hall. Private Detective H. P.
Ford. former Major H. L. Rees. Deputy
Sheriff John Cordano, A. P. Caylor, d
local grain dealer, and Frederick Simp-
son, saloon keeper: Frank Pierce
Mays. w. n. Jones. and George Soren-
son.
Conspiracy Is Alleged.
1t is said the indictments were found
on charges that the defendants had en-
tered into conspiracy to bIacken the
character OF United States District At
torney +. ]. Heney by connecting his
name with that of Marie L. Ware, one
of the defendants in the first land fraud
cases. and of attempting to get the dis
trict attorney of Multnomah county te
begin proceedings against Mr.. Heney.
Representative Williamson said last
night he would attend no more sessions
or the House until the indictment
against him has been disposed of. He
said he believed his presence in the
House before the charges had been
cleared away would be an afront to his
associates
been attending the sessions OF the
House regularly since his indictment.
Senator MitcheIl's Letter.
Senator Mitchell yesterday said In re-
ply to the charges that he had written
letter to Judge a. II. Tanner con-
corning the latter's testimony before the
grand jury:
Yes. 1 sent the letter as published,
ana FOR this reason: as / think, in part.
at least, appear on its face. After / had
been indicted, Judge Tanner had been
retained by me as my leading attorney
5 Tor my defense, and he had consented
Possession would clearly show. Senator
Fulton also had consented to act as his
associate in my defense.
Il was extremely anxious that Tanner
2 shoUld come here for consultation
with Senator Fulton and myself in re-
my letter was, as will appear from the
: letter itself, to induce him TO come and
bring with him all OF our firms books.
in order that we might be fully advised
Is 10 precisely what entries had been
made. and by whom made.
Thought It Confidential.
81 supposed I was writing a conf
dental letter to my retained attorney.
urging an early consultation with me,
his client, and with his associate at
torney, Senator Fulton. And. for
reasons satisfactory to me, when /
wrote The letter, and now l desire to
avoid publicity in regard TO his coming
hence nay statement in the letter that
II should be treated as entirely conf
Dental.
ANY other questions that may be de-
sired of me in reference to this letter
or any other matter connected with my
case viii be ready to promptly answer
when my trial is called. The suggestion
: IN the press dispatches that / desired TO
talk TO Tanner in regard to his teSti-
lying before the grand Jury is prepos-
ferrous. as IL has been publicly known
for some time that the grand jury
would adjourn long before Tanner could
reach this city