Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-13
ALLEGED LAND DEAL
MoRMoNS SAID TO BE ADvERTIS-
ING WRONGLY.
Matter Before Commissioner General
Richards Of tho Land
Once.

letters which have been placed before Com
missioner Richards of the general land Office.
These letters are alleged to have been
written by certain members OF the Mormon
hierarchy. advising brethren of the Nor
mon church. who desire TO settle on lands
within the Cintah reservation in Utah. soon
to be thrown open for settlement. to do
business with the presidency at Heber City.
Utah.
The Uintah reservation Is located in Wa
satch county. and is almost entirely within
the confines OF the Mormon ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction. The communication states In
substance that certain Mormons have 'land
office connections" which will be of value
to those of the church who desire to enter
upon the Uintah lands. The tone Of the
letters Is such as would lead the land office
to the conclusion that fraudulent practices
might be secretly effected and the influence
of the church used strong weapon.
1t is not thought at the general land Of
flee that by reason of any influence the
MormOns might exert over the territory to
be opened for settlement there could pos
sibly be violation of the regulations.
Reticence Observed.
Commissioner Richards said to a Star
man this afternoon that he preferred not
to discuss the alleged practices Of the Nor
mons regarding the opening of the Uintah
reservation. 1t was not known to him.
however, how any one could claim advan-
tage In making entry upon the lands in
question without complying with the regu-
lat1ons strictly and conforming In every
detail with the requirements. He said that
the general land Office will detail special
clerks to the reservation for the purpose of
registration. and that instructions will be
issued clearly explaining the mode of pro-
cedure to be followed in securing land on
the reservation. Commissioner Richards
will use every precaution to see that the
law Is not violated. In this particular case
he will probe the alleged violations of the
Mormons with a view to ascertaining every
fact.
Mr.. Richards has addressed letter to
William H. Smart. the first signer of the
reservation circular; Joseph r. Murdoch
and James c. Jensen of the Wasatch stake
presidency. asking them the meaning Of
the assertion that they have land Office
connections which can be used to advan-
tage in making settlement upon public
lands. He calls attention to the wide pub
licity which has been given to their state
ments and demands an immediate response
explaining their action.
Senators Make Statement
United States Senators Reed Smoot and
George Sutherland Of Utah. in a joint let
ter to Commissioner Richards In reference
to the affair. say that so far as the state
ments Of Smart, Murdoch and Jensen with
reference to any arrangements with the
land officers are concerned. they have no
hesitation in declaring that no arrange
ment could possibly be made. They further
state that the two appontees at the Vernal
office. Messrs. De Moisey and Cotton. have
been well known to them for many years.
and that they are the best of citizens. NO
arrangements, they continue, which would
involve any improper action upon their
part could possibly be made with either
of them. The same may be said of the
other land officials in this state. AS we
understand the drawing for these lands is
to be done by commissioners appointed by
the central office" Senators SmoOt and
Sutherland further state that while they
do not believe any wrongdoing Is contem-
plated by anybody they urge that in order
that there may not be even a suspicion of
unfairness wrongdoing, every precau-
ton be taken to sift the matter to an end
William H. Smart, the initial signer of
the reservation letter, Is quoted in the Salt
Lake Tribune of July on the use Of the
statement land office connections" and at
tempts to explain his conduct. In this let
ter he says:
We were surprised that Importance war
ranting publication should be attached to
our letter The statement that 1t is a de-
sire of the first president that we use our
good offices In behalf of our people who
may wish to settle there. had reference to
the policy that has obtained In the church
from its origin, that the presiding officers
of the stakes or wards shall take an inter-
est In the material upbuilding of their re-
spective districts in behalf of mankind in
general.
The second point in the interview is the
clause relating to land office connections
being formed by representatives of the
Mormon faith.
by said statement he continues I'VE
merely Intended to call attention to the
fact that we intended through business
connections to get in touch with land Of
fee attorneys anC surveyors who will have
officers at Vernal, where the United States
land office is located, and who will assist
under rules and regulations governing the
opening of the reservation in preparing nee
essary papers and locating settlers upon
lands selected by them and through which
connections we expect to be advised as fast
as entries are made and keep informed as
to the land available.