The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-04
AT THE HOTELS.

THE deepest interest is manifested Dy
the people Of Oklahoma In the fight for
removal OF restrictions from the sale Of
Indian lands in the eastern half Of the
State, which will be waged in Congress
this winter" said William F. Wallace.
who is financially interested in the cattle
business at the Metropolitan last night.
Mr. Wallace is from Guthrie. and is here
watching the bin.
For the first time in her history Okla
homa has some chance Of securing the
removal Of Indian restrictions. There are
many reasons. from the standpoint Of the
white man. why restrictions should be
removed. The east half Of the State can
never become a farming country until the
Indians sell their surplus land. At pres
ent probably one-half Of the entire agri-
cultural area OF former Indian Terri
tory belongs 10 the several tribes OF
Indians which they hold as allotments.
While held by wards of the government,
this land cannot be taxed or sold except
after a laborious process Of red tape.
White farmers from other States cannot
buy this land for homes because they are
not acquainted with the process, and can
not wait for the red tape to unwind.
AS result, what little Indian land
that Is being sold IN former Indian terri
tory is falling into the hands OF the land
Spectator When the farmer wants 90
buy farm. he must purchase it from
the Spectator OF real estate man at an
advanced price, which dlscourages invest
ment. There are a few INSCRIPTIONS deal
-ers in Oklahoma. and this fact, together
with exaggerated reports Of shaky titles
and grating methods cause the actual
settler to hold aloof, fearing to invest his
money. Homeseekers' excursions either
stop in Missouri Kansas, or Northern
Arkansas, or pass on through Oklahoma
to Texas, where the farmer feels he can
buy land without delay. and with the
assurance Of securing a good title. There
is still more urgent reason from the
standpoint of progress why the restric-
tons should be removed at once. and that
| Is in order to make as much Of the land
as possible taxable. In some portions Of
the State less than one-fOurth Of the farm
land can be taxed. The burden Of main
tanning schools, county and State govern
ment in the central part OF the State falls
almost entirely upon few towns scat
tered over the mineral belt In the Choc-
| taw ana Chickasaw nations a large part
Of the land IS held by the Indians and is
not taxable"
| Col. p c. Bowman, Of Birmingham,
Ala. a strong advocate OF Graduating the
manufacture and traffic Of liquor in every
State Of the Union, is at the New VIII
/ lard. Col Bowman is q well-knoWn law
yer Of Birmingham, and has made the
drink question, as far as it relates TO
criminOlogy, a special study.
The suppression Of the liquor traffic in
Alabama is a blessing" ne said Now,
we need not fear the attacks on our
wives and daughters Of dTink-cTaZed ne
grOes. II this thing Of selling intoxicat-
/ ing drinks 10 the colored population had
not stopped, there would have been
race war in a very few years. I predict
now. that before twenty years the whole
United States viii be free from the liquor
| traffic by that ! do not only mean the
sale, but also the manufacture Of the
stuff
Secretary Taft disappointed Boston"
said John F. jameson. Of that city, at
the New Willard last night. we thought
he was coming up there 20 tell us what
| he thought about the issues and the fu-
| ture of the country. but / have heard
many express the opinion that he had in
| some respects merely repeated his Column
bus speech in different words
"0ne Of the Boston papers headed its
story Of the speech His Masters Voice.
after a certain famous advertisement, and
il about hit OF the general opinion up
there concerning the talk.
The Secretary doubtless gave an ex-
cellent explanation for the financial
trouble, which now is happily passing
away, and I, for one, do not doubt t
was in large measure the correct eX-
PLANTATION. But the defense Of the PTesi-
dent, in view OF the Iatter's repetition of
his disclaimer that he intended 10 again
be a candidate. was not only UnCalled
for, but. il Mr.. Taft really wants the
nomination, was decidedly ill-advised. 10
say the least"
We're not worrying about the Sea-
boards difficulties down in Virginia. 90
said George r. Curry Of Richmond, at
the Raleigh last night TT will all come
out right, and there is no need for alarm
among those who are interested in the
road In fact, I believe that the final
effect Of the reeeivership will be bene-
fetal"