The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-24
REPORTED LEAKS" IN LAND DE-
PARTMENT WILL BE TAKEN
UP SOON.
Charged That Eastern Washington
People Obtained Advance lnfor-
nation On Irrigation Plans.

of the interior department officials
from time to time that advance infor-
nation of the governments intentions
regarding the reclamation Of arid lands
in various places mas been given out
to interested persons in advance. NO
general investigation of these allega-
tons has been made, but the charges,
although usually somewhat vague In
character have become cumulative,
and it is not unlikely that Secretary
Hitchcock will cause an official inves-
legation to be made, writes W. f.
Clark to the Post Intelligencer from
Washington city.
Among other charges it has been
said that persons in Eastern Washing
ton nave secured tips" from the Of
fee of the reclamation service engineer
in Spokane, especially in regard to the
governments plans in the Palouse
country. AS a rule charges of this
kind have obtained scant recognition
in the reclamation service here, and
the matter has never been taken up
by Secretary Hitchcock personally.
That an effort is constantly made by
persons bent on speculation to obtain
advance information in regard to irri-
cation projects is a matter of common
knowledge, and some of these persons
have undoubtedly been successful.
Had a Bad Look.
Where definite knowledge of culpa-
bility in this connection mas been
wanting there still have been certain
incidents which at least had bad
look. For example, Thomas Sammons,
formerly private secretary to ex-Sena-
tor Addison G. Foster, and who was
lately for some reason appointed to
consulate in Asia, left Washington at
one time on a visit to the state of
Washington with the avowed intention
of taking up lands in the Palouse re-
gion under the desert land law. No
body has ever said that Sammons had
advance information of the govern
ments intention to irrigate the Pa
louise country, but mis- action, early in
the game was calculated to arouse GU
riosity. Persons associated with sena-
tors in congress or with officials of
the administration are sometimes in a
position to learn what is going on
without any sort of criminal action on
their part.
1t happens very frequently that per-
sons connected directly or indirectly
with the government are approached
by outsiders who wish to find out
whether the reclamation service ex-
of this or that tract of land in one of
the arid or semi-arid states. If the
complaints which come to the interior
department are to be believed, these
efforts and other efforts more secretly
put forth, are sometimes successful.
Appoints Investigating Committees.
1t was reported a few days ago that
the complaints about the reclamation
service were to be investigated by a
committee appointed by Secretary
Hitchcock A committee was actually
appointed, consisting of Frank Bond,
of the general land office; A. c, Shaw,
of the forestry service, and A. E.
Chandler, of the reclamation service,
but it is now given out that these men
are to investigate the general subject
of grazing on public lands in the
western states 1t was said at the in
terror department today that the COM
mittee is not charged with the inves-
tigation of any scandals or improper
doings in the reclamation service but
it is probable that the members will be
ready to listen to any complaints that
may be made.
Secretary Hitchcock is absent from
Washington, although ne is transacting
necessary official business at his sum-
mer home. Upon his return mere it is
not unlikely that he will take up the
consideration of the alleged leaks in
the reclamation service.