The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-11
POWERFUL INFLUENCES
IN LAND STEALS
Ingenuity and Resources Of Despoilers of Public Do.
main Deplored by Secretary Hitchcock in Annual
4l Report Connivance in Land Offices He Indicates
BY W.. w. Jermane. Colorado Building
Washington, D. C.

BY W.. w. Jermane, Colorado BuIIdina,
Washington, D. c.
Washington, Dec. lin the annual
report Of the interior department..
which was made public today, Secreta-
ry hitchcock sums up the results Of his
prosecution of those who have attempt-
ed to defraud the government of its
public lands, and predicts that there
won, It be any let-up in the prosecutions
on the part of his successor.
THE unusual activity in the public
land service referred to in my last an
nual report has not abated,'' says the
secretary. "The prosecution of all per-
sons conspiring to defraud the govern
ment of it's public lands is being con-
tlnued with vigor,r as is shown by the
fact that 400 persons have been indicted
IN the various land states and territories
for the violation of public land laws,
eighty-nine have been convicted, and in
dictments are still pending against 401.''
Land Thieves Powerful.
Then comes the most startling por-
ton of the voluminous report-the
practical charge Of connivance with the
land thieves by agents of the depart
ment. Regarding this Secretary Hitch
cock says: ="
II is to be regretted, however, that
the efforts made to release it from the
grip OF Its despoilers have been met by
every embarrassment that human in
genulty could devise; powerful influences
nave been concerned, and have not hes
ltated to aggressively exert every agen-
cy that could be commanded to weaken
the hand of the law; even local land
office officials have been subservient to
such influences, and the punishment i'm
posed by the courts has, in many cases,
been so conspicuously inadequate as to
encourage rather than deter violations
OF the law. Whether this official stag
nation is due in any degree to local po-
litical influences to which these officials
are more or less indebted for their COM
missions and the retention of their DO
sltlons, is not important to discuss at
this time, it being sufficient to state that
1t is deplorable fact that such action,
or rather inaction, is bringing reproach
upon the public SERVICE besides en-
HANGING the difficulties which beset the
administration in any efforts that it NAV
make to rescue the public domain from
serious peril. ::
~ j.. : { ]: No Mercy for Guilty.
In, the discharge Of my duty under the
| law have proceeded without the slight
est prejudice for or against any person
| Or persons interested. In such efforts
as have been made to protect the serv-
Ice under my supervision from the raw
ages Of inordinate greed, I have not con-
sidered either the station or the power
of the guilty. Apparently they are all
on the same footing; in my judgment,
| however, the higher the offender the
greater the crime against society and
law, because of the force and influence
Of the higher example. 1t is not pos
sible for persons and corporations OF
great influence and power to maintain
Enclosures Of the public lands in open dis
regard of a criminal statute, with
out thereby encouraging others to
| do likewise; and here it may be proper
! ly noted that reports on file in the de-
| partment indicate that approximately
100000 acres and more of the public do
| main in certain states and territories are
by unlawful means appropriated to the
| exclusive use of private interests for
| private gain.
My official influence in this matter will