Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-07-09
Assistant Attorney
General Opens Of
flee Here
WORK MAY TAKE YEARS
Mr.. McHarg Declines to Dis
cuss Plans Other Than Ad-
init Nature of Mission.

Divers and sundry charges filed in
Washington have led to the inyestl-
cation of alleged land frauds in New
Mexico 1t is stated that the inquiry
win be searching one and that the
probing process may consume year
or more. Although the report cannot
be verified it is rumored that prosecu-
tions will follow II the charges OF
illegal disposition OF Territorial lands
are found to be borne out in fact
Special Assistant Attorney General
Ormsby McHarg VINO has arrived IN
Santa Fe for the purpose OF inyesti-
eating the alleged land frauds in
New Mexico has opened up an office
in a suite of rooms on the second
floor of the Federal building. Asso-
ciated with him Is e. P. HolcOmbe, a
special agent connected with one OF
the divisions of the Department OF
the Interior, who year ago or so
spent several months on similar
mission in New Mexico. Mr. McHarg
1t is understood will also be assisted
in making his investigation by the
field force of special agents OF the
U. S. Land Office in this city, which
is headed by Captain Frederick c.
Dezendorf.
II am not at liberty to give out
any of the instructions received from
the Department of Justice relative to
my proceedings here" Mr. McHarg
stated last evening to a reporter OF
the New Mexican. There is abso
lutely no political significance to be
attached to, my appointment or this
investigation. Later on there may be
some news to give out but not now
don't want to try any cases In the
newspapers" 81
Since the arrival of Assistant At
torney General McIIarg and his cler
ical force rumors have been flying
thick as to the exact nature of theil
mission. These reports are for the
most part simply conjecture and witt
little or no foundation in fact. 1t l.
understood that the land investiga
ton now going on in the Territory
will not be exparte but the validity
OF every transaction since certain
parts of the public domain in the Ter
ritory was segregated for donations t.
Territorial institutions will be consid
ered
Declines to Discuss Charges.
When asked as to the nature of the
charges which had been filed Mr.. Nc
Harg declined to discuss them. There
is nothing to give out for publication
yet If anybody is interested tt
know what the charges are they cal
be seen on file in Washington" Witt
that the interview closed.
Mr.. McHarg laid particular stres
upon the fact that there was no poll
tics or spite work in the present in
vestigation. He said he did not ow'
his appointment to any political in
fluence and came out here unbiased
and unprejudiced. This is his frs
visit to New Mexico.
The charges of alleged land frauds
are said to involve sales to corpora
tions in which individuals were al
legged to have been used as stoo
pigeons and applicants, illegal sal
Of timber on school lands, Illegal fenc
ing of the public domain, and the in
timidation of settlers.
Mr.. McHarg has all OF the appear
ance of a college bred young man an
he is, having graduated from the lay
department of the University of Mich
gan. His legal residence Is in Mort
Dakota but for seven years or NOR
past his official duties have ker
him almost constantly In Washington
Although comparatively young hi
hair which was once jet black
streaked with grey. He is easily az
preached and engaged in conversatio
and talks freely upon contemporary
GUS subjects with the exception of th
business that brings him to the Sun
shine Territory. When that
broached he closes up like the pro-
erbial clam.
Mr. McHarg although young l
years has had much legal and offlcis
experience. He has been a practicin
attorney for twelve years. He ma
served as clerk of the committee o
pensions Of the U. S. Senate and wa
also private secretary to U. s. SEM
tor Porter r. McCumber of Noroth d
lota for some time. In these pos
tions he naturally became well Al
quainted with many of the leadin
statesmen, official members Of Coz
gress and politicians In Washington
and who visit the national capital. Th
position he now holds Is the one (
special assistant attorney general III
der the Department Of Justice and
the only one