The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-08-25
CRIES Of FRAUD
ARE BASELESS
Government Satisfied With Uintah
Reservation Opening.
LATEST TALE FROM VERNAL
LANDS SAID TO HAVE BEEN AL
LoTTED TO DEAD INDIANS
Especial to The HeraId.)


WASHINGTON, Aug 24.-Up to this
wv time Acting Secretary of the IN
terror Ryan and Indian Commits
sioner Leupp are entirely satisfied with
the manner in which the Uintah In
dian reservation is being opened to en-
try, and from advfces the officials have
received. both are convinced beyond
doubt that the opening VIII be COM
pleted under the direction of Land
Commissioner Richards in a manner
that viii be above fair criticism 10
surprise is expressed m the interior de-
partment or I'm the Indian office that
there should have been cries of scandal.
corruption, unfairness and the like,
for such outcTies have attended the
opening of every Indian reservation
that has heretofore taken place.
Proof Always Lacking.
It may be said positively that not one
iOta OF evidence has been produced
showing the least SUSPICION of cor
ruption in connection with the Uintah
reservation. but on the contrary,
everything has been satisfactorily ad-
justed. There was at one time con-
fusion over the segregation of lands for
irrigation and AGRICULTURAL purposes,
due to a misunderstanding between
various bureaus of the government,
but this misunderstanding has been
cleared away and that incident salts
faCtOriiy closed.
Story From Nernai.
The attention of Indian Commissioner
Leupp was today called TO story en-
anating from Vernal in which p. G.
Clark. alleged former chief ranger and
chief of Indian police ON the Uintah
reservation. intimated that there had
been corruption in Indian aIlotments,
that lands had been allotted 10 dead
Indians and that segregation of graz
ing lands for Indians had been made
unduly large with a view TO giving part
OF this good land TO 'faVoriteS" after
the general rush had subsidized.
Commissioner Luepp was aghast at
Clark's charges, and while not positive.
said he believed Clark was the man
who. when dropped from the Indian
service, announced that he would make
trouble. His talk was therefore antici-
pated.
Charge an Old One.
Commissioner Luepp says this charge
of allotments to dead Indians has been
raised at every opening. He. himself
though not then in the government
service. was sent by the. president to
the KiOwa country in Oklahoma az the
time Of that opening, 20 Investigate
similar reports, and was accompanied
on his trip by the man vino preferred
charges. Jointly they examined every
allotment and failed TO find a single
allotment to a dead indian. but on the
contrary. were met face 10 face by
every Indian who RECEIVED an ailot-
ment.
Captain Hall Reliable.
Commissioner Leupp says he is con-
fident the same result would follow an
Investigation al Uintah. for Indian
Agent Hall. a most conscientious and
honorable man. has been careful TO
preserve accurate lists of his Indians
and would not sanction aIlotments TO
Indians who could not be produced. AS
a further testimony 10 Halls integrity
Commissioner Leupp said Hall has re-
ceived many requests from senator's
and representatives to permit some OF
their friends to go upon the Uintah
reservation in advance OF the opening
for some purpose not permitted, but
he had firmly though politely denied
every such request.
Commissioner Leupp does not give
serious consideration to cries that have
been raised that the Mormons are con-
trolling Uintah lands.
Must Be Specific.
If T. c. Clark makes affidavit or
written statements alleging specific in
stances OF fraud in connection with
the Uintah opening, some attention
may be paid TO his charges. or II any
responsible person presents facts
which warrant investigation, they will