The San Francisco call., 1906-06-19
Scandal to Form Subject
Of Inquiry by the
Senate,
State Disposes Of Rich
Holdings for a
Song.
One Senator Reported to
Be Involved in
the Case.
sPECIAL pIsPArCH 70 rHE cAI.1.


WASHINGTON. June 1s.-The Utah
subject of consideration by the United
States Senate. Many prominent West
ern politicians. at least one United
States senator and several railroads
are involved 1t is believed that enor-
nous sums, aggregating millions, have
been diverted to corporations.
Agitation over the sale of coal lands
secured by Utah from the general Cow
ernment when admitted as a State has
been in progress for years. The State
secured the lands. which were supposed
to be valuable only for grazing and
farming purposes. The aggregate al
lotment was about 1000, 900 acres
These lands were found to contain
rich coal deposits. but were. neverthe-
less, sold by the State for $50 an
acre, while the price charged by the
Government for similar land ranges
from $40 to $40 an acre
The nomination by President Roose-
velt of Hiram E. Booth to be United
States Attornet for the district OF Utah
has brought this scandal to the direct
attention of the Sentae. His nominal
ton is now pending before the judicf-
ary committee Charges have been pre-
ferred against him and many docu-
ments sent from Salt Lake City. 1t is
alleged that Booth was once removed
from Office because of conduct disap-
proved by the Government. 1t is de-
clared that he is president of the Car
bon County Land Company, a concern
that the Government seeks to prosecute
in connection with the coal lands frauds
Carbon County is the center of the
best coal fields in Utah 1t Is also
charged that Booth appeared as coun-
sci for Stanley B. Miliner. who organ
lied the Carbon County Land Company.
The Senate judiciary. committee has
not yet taken up the charges against
Booth and a full inquiry may not be
completed at this session 1t is ex-
pected that a resolution will be intro
duced this week calling upon the Inte-
rior Department and the Department OF
Justice for all the reports submitted by
special agents who have investigated
the coal lands scandal. Tt Is supposed
these reports will show that conclusive,
evidence has been secured by the De-
partment of Justice and preparations
are being made to prosecute all those
connected with alleged frauds perpe-
trated upon the Government
Booth came here and testified before
the Senate committee on privileges ana
elections in favor OF Senator Smoot
His testimony was not only favorable
to Smoot. but to the Mormon church.
although he is not an actual member
VI lNdl OF SdHlldIlOh senator SmCOt
and Sutherland both strongly indorsed
Booth for the District Attorneyship and
urged the President 70 make the ap.
pointment-
1t is not believed the President knew
OF the charges against Booth when he
sent his nomination to the Senate about
ten days ago. although it is asserted
he was warned by an official OF the
Department of Justice who knew prose-
cutions were about to be instituted
Some four years ago some sensational
tips were sent out from Salt Lake City
that various corporations and railroads
were seeking to perpetrate great frauds
by securing control OF valuable coal
lands through improper methods This
was being done. it was alleged. in the
interest Of the Denver and Rio Grande
Railroad Company, Gould line. or the
Rio Grande Western. which is part OF
the Gould system. operating in portions
of Utah.