New-York tribune., 1909-01-19
GIGANTIC LAND FRAUDS
AMOUNT TO $40 ,OOO, 900.
SAYS MR. GARFIELD.
Thinks Much May Be RecoJered by
Government, and disks Congress
for $500, 900.
from The Tribune Bureau J

Washington. Jan. 1s.-Information Of alleged
wholesale and astounding public land frauds has
come into the possession of Secretary Garfield
through special agents in the field. The charge
is made that approximately S110000.000 worth
of lands in states principally west of the Missis
sippi have been fraudulently acquired within
the last two years by corporations and individ
uals.
With view of recovering these lands Secre-
tary Garfield to-day sent letters to Chairmen
Hale and Tawney Of the Senate and House APP
propriations Committees. respectively, asking
for an additional appropriation of 100000.
which. If granted. with that already asked for.
will give the department s1.OOOO0O for that pur
pose. The specific purpose of the appropriation
requested is for preventing "depredations on
public timber protecting public lands. examin-
ing swamp lands etc" II is said that there is
reasonable prospect OF recovering much Of this
alleged fraudulently acquired land if the appro-
priaton is promptly made. 1t is also said that
while s1.0Go.0OO may seem large, it is not 1 per
cent of the commercial value of the land which
the government may hope TO recover
Secretary Garfield also submits a statement
from H. H. Schwartz chief Of the field service
showing more than $4,000 cases OF alleged land
frauds demanding further investigation The
number Of such cases awaiting Investigation now
pending is follows: Oregon. 1852; California
and Nevada. 1909; Washington and Northern
Idaho. 1926 Montana, 1906; Colorado. S.621:
Arizona. 1876; Wyoming 21.155; Minnesota, Mich
igan. Wisconsin North and South Dakota. 5.S94;
Missouri, Louisiana and Arkansas. 1893; Utah.
1882: Oklahoma and Kansas 1.O12: New Mex
leo. 1906. and Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.
1850.
A summary of most of the larger cases af-
fected by charges of fraud iIIegality now
pending is submitted, but the details of identif-
cation and names of parties omitted. be
cause 1t is said this would embarrass further in
quiry into such
The additional appropriation is also required,
the Secretary says, on account of the increased
demands on the field service of the Land Office
due to the transferring to that division of much
work which formerly was done by the Secret
Service and the special service of the Depart
ment OF Justice
Secretary Garfeld's letter was submitted by
Mr.. Hale TO the Senate committee which is to
investigate the Secret Service.
The work accomplished under last years ap-
preparation of 100000 has been so complete
and efficient that II surprised all the members
of Congress who read the letter this afternoon.
and the Secret- Us request seems certain TO be
approved by both appropriations committees.
An investigation looking to the recovery of
lands valued at STA. 1928 at a conservative
estimate. has been begun. Among the latest
cases are those against the Southern Pacific
and Central Paci( railroads These suits in
volve mineral lands valued at S4O.OO0.OOO. An
other is pending against the Union Pacific to
recover coal lands in Wyoming valued at
81. $4,000. There are also five hundred claims
to coal lands valued at S16.OO0OOO. that are
viewed with suspicion by the General Land Of
fee besides titles to 100000 worth of timber
lands There are set for trial and hearing be
fore local land officers total of 1O21 cases.
distributed among various Western states Pat
ented land to the extent Of 1O,933 acres. and
valued at 1924, 500 So. and 61S.240 acres of un-
patented lands valued at SO, "a. 100. have been
recovered and thousands of dollars have been
collected in fines. Secretary Garfield believes
that an adequate appropriation will mean the
recovery of greatly increased amounts of land
and money next year.