The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-12
LAND FRAUD SUITS
j NOT TO Be HALTED
Attorney General Bonaparte
Denies Intention of Drop
ping Prosecutions.
Reduces S eCret Service
Force in Colorado as
Being Too Large.

Land fraud eases viii lie prosecuted
as Vigor IusIy in the future as they have
been IN The pas;
The Attorney General OF the United
States is authority for this statement.
The reports N various newspapers that
these cases would be dropped have
aroused the Department Of Justice 10
a realization that the public was fast
coming TO a belief that there would be
few more, if any, prosecutions for land
fraud cases. This impression was
heightened by the recent decision Of
Judge Lewis.
Bonaparte Issues Statement.
cit was stated officially at the Depart
ment of Justice yesterday that there
would be no cessation in the prosecu-
ton of the land fraud cases in Colo
RADIO and other Western States, al
though the decisions OF Judge Lewis
have made it necessary to change the
procedure in some respuects-
1t IS pointed out by the Department
Of Justice that, pending the appeal
from Judge Lewis decisions, which
viii be expedited in the Supreme Court
as rapidly as possible. there would be
no advantage in bringing further crimi-
nal proceedings for similar charges, ex-
cept such as might be necessary 10
avoid the operation Of the statute Of
limitations.
In cases in which there is danger of
prospective defendants securing i'm
mGaIty by reason Of the expiration OF
time, it is intended TO have indictments
brought within the time limits. but not
70 ask for further trials until the pend
ing questions are settled.
To Recall Detectives.
EN- view of this course, which is en-
forced by the present status of the
matter, It Is regarded as wholly IN
necessary to retain the same organiza-
ton in Colorado that would have been
necessary to prepare and bring 10 trial
new cases of this character, and ar
rangements have. therefore. been made
that number OF Secret Service opera
tives, who have been engaged in the
work Of preparing these cases in Colo
RADIO, shall be released from this duty
and that the field force in that State
shall be considerably reduced.
This reduction does not in any way
affect the legal forces Of the depart
menL at work on these cases, and no
designations from this force have yet
been received by the Department OF
Justice, AMI no reductions are IN con-
Temptation at the present time
1T IS stated positively that there is
no change in the purpose, either OF the
interior Department or the Depart
.1neut of Justice, 10 continue activity In
the prosecution OF land fraud cases and
the only change which has taken place
3 that which necessarily followed Judge
1-eWis' decisions.
Division Of Work.
1T is also stated that an arrange
meut has been made by which a strict
division OF the work in these cases be
tween the TWO departments has been
laid down, so that hereafter the Depart
meat of Justice viii undertake no pre-
llminary investigation, but such work
viii be done wholly by the Interior De-
partment. which viii have control of
cases until they are fully ready Tor
prosecution
When these have been certified to
the Department Of Justice for legal ac-
ton. either in the matter of criminal
prosecution. or for civil proceedings for
the protection of some of the rights OF
the Government The matter viii be
wholly under the direction Of the De-
paTtment OF Justice, and all steps Will
be taken by, and all negotiations must
be conducted with, that department and
Of Ion