Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-26
Wants Title to Indian Lands in
Oklahoma Cleared.
CASES NUMBER THOUSANDS
Coming Reports of the immigration
Commission.
INFORMATION FOR CONGRESS
Heney, the Pacific Coast Graft Prose
cutor, One of the Presidents
Callers Today.

Senator Owen of Oklahoma. who is one
brought by the government TO clear UP
titles to Indian lands there, has been urg-
ing President Roosevelt to have these
cases settled at the earliest possible mo-
ment by directing Attorney General
Bonaparte to take them directly to the
United States Supreme Court, IL posi-
bic. Gov. Haskell and many other
prominent men in Oklahoma are defend
ants in these suits. for which the gov
ernment has been preparing for two
years Senator Owen says that the slow
dragging Of the cases, of which there are
23. 900, is damaging to business and de
velopment generally. 1t is the contention
of the defendants that the federal courts
have no jurisdiction, the matter belong
ing entirely In the state courts. Senator
Owen believes that much unnecessary dc
lay can be avoided by framing up the
direct question as to jurisdiction and SUBJ
mtting 1t to the United States Supreme
Court.
Secretary Garfield. who has consulted
Senator Owen and Attorney General
Bonaparte as to these cases. and who
was with Senator Owen part of the
time at the White House today. said that
he would be glad to see a test case ar
ranged, as desired by Senator Owen. The
question of such a case, he said, is before
Attorney General Bonaparte for con-
sideration.
Work of Immigration Commission.
Representative Bennett of New York a
member of the immigration commission
| that has been at work for about a year
and a half, said at the White House to-
day that the commission would make
| some preliminary reports to Congress i'm
January, at the same time submitting
proposed changes in the existing immigra-
ton laws. These changes will be in the
form Of a bill. which members of the com
| mission who are senators or representa-
tives will push in their respective houses.
The full report of the commission will
probably be made in the extra session OF
Congress. Senator Dillingham; is chair
| man of the commission. which has Wis
ited Europe and studied immigration at
| first hand
Mr.. Bennett said that the reports of the
commission would be full and compre-
| hensive. and ought to throw much light
! upon the problems of immigration. with
which Congress has been struggling for
| many years The commission was the
elimination Of much agitation two years
| ago for strict revision of immigration
laws, and the promise was made that
Congress would act upon questions when
| it had received full information from
| the commission.
Some of the Days Callers.
Senator Burkett of Nebraska was with
the President today. Among the other
visitors were Representatives Hepburn
and Stevens. both members of the House
committee on interstate and foreign com
merce, which is about to leave for the
Isthmus of Panama. They talked with
the President about their trip.
Francis Heney, the graft prosecutor of
San Francisco. made short call on the
President, obtaining an autograph photo.
| He said lie had no important matter to
discuss with the President
! Representative Bartholdt. who has rep
! resented this country at the annual meet
ings of the interparliamentary union.
composed of members of the great parlia
ments of the world, told the President to-
day that the United States should join
| Great Britain and other countries in
maintaining permanent headquarters. DR..
Bartholdt will ask Congress TO grant a
small annual appropriation.
James Wadsworth. speaker of the New
York house of representatives. called on
the President today to introduce friend.
Judge Purnell's Successor.
Judge Thomas r. Purnell of the east
ern district of North Carolina died week
ago and President Roosevelt is called upon
| been in i'll health for long time, and tie
work of his district had been done by
Judge Boyd of the western district and
Judge Waddill of the eastern district of
| Virginia. The work is much beh
and the President will probably act as
quickly consistent with thorough
| knowledge of the candidates who may he
named. SO far there seems to be only
one candidate. Harry Skinner, for seven
! | nlted States attorney
! trict. Mr.. Skinner is in the city and filed
| his Endorsements at the White House to-
day. He was at one time member OF
| the House from North Carolina and is
| well known throughout the state. His in
dorSementS. il is said. include the Judge
of the federal and state courts of Nortl,
Carolina and most of the prominent MEM
| berS of the bar of his district. He is
personally known to the President, and
| the chances are strong in favor of his
/ ,,i,,..f ian