The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-11-27
OSAGE NATION WILL
NOT TOLERATE IT
LONGER
NEW INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED
By the Interior Department
TO Agent Frantz.

Captain Frank Frantz. the csase In
dian agent has received Instructions
from the interior department to notify
all bankers and tyaaers operating IN the
Usage Indian nation that the depart
ment VIII no longer sanction the loan
Ing Of mosey 20 Indians at any higher
rate than that fixed by the statutes
This decision refers TO all persons or
Arms who may loan the Indians money.
and all are advised to govern their
transactions with the Indians accord
iugly
It has been known for some time that
upon information furnished by captain
Frants the Indian office at Washington
has been considering the rates Of in
terest that have been paid by the Osage
Indians for borrowed money and has
reached the conclusion that Indians
should not be required 70 pay a higher
rate than that fixed by the Oklahoma
statutes. The statute places the MAKE
mum rate at twelve per cent per an
mum. well as for short time loans.
When a greater rate is charged( tlIe
person paying #, or his personal rep
resentatiye, may recover the excess
from the person taking II in an action
In the proper court. Both Captain
Frantz. representing the Osages, and
United States Attorney Horace Speed, in
behalf cf the Indians. have advised with
the departments along this line.
About 1901 trade system was adopted
among the Osages with view to bet
tering the Indians financial condition.
Arrangements were made TO pay their
old debts and their future transactions
We're to be restricted 10 keep them out
Of debt If possible This refers to the
annuity money paid 10 the Indians by
the agent at PawhuslSa. The policy
carried. with il the appointment Of
tribe supervisor and It has 50 far been
decided success. Financially the
Osages are in better condition than
they have been for many years.
The Indian Office at Washington Is OF
the opinion that there has been a great
Improvement in the affairs Of the Usage
reservation since 1901. that there is
much more money in the locality Of the
reservation at this time than there was
at that date. and therefore there Is no
necessity for the Indians paying such
high rateg OF interest In view OF the
great frauds practiced upon the Indians
IN loaning them money at usurious
rates. the department win use every
effort 10 have the legal rate OF interest
enforced in all parts Of Oklahoma
where Indians are located.
AS a result Of the department taking
this step in other parts OF the territory
the legal rate of interest is being en-
forced to pptect the Kiowas and Co
manches. Only recently at Hobart
Horace Speed. United States attorney,
prosecuted c. ]. HnI. a Gotebo banker,
and recovered from him for TIE IGdians
excess interest amounting to over a
thousand sdollars. HUI had charged a.
high as 33.lS per cent The next case
OF Importance TO be tried under this
ruling Of the department. VIII be at An-
4darlso, where L. W Myers, bank
president. IS charged with collecting
interest from the Indians. II
Is charged against Myers that he
DRESSED In Indian costume and con-
cealed himself in an Indian tepee in or
der to collect his interest money dur
ing annuity payment. He is over aev-
enty years old