East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-09-13

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were made on powers of attorney Sc
2 cured from stenographers, under
clerks and officers working in gen
eral offices Of a prominent railroa
company and all expense Of huntin
out these lands, locating them, sur
veying them, developing and dis
posing the coal upon them, was pai
by certain officers who are director
, and promoters in corporations whicl
, have secured railroad rights Of wa.
from the seaboard to the coal fields il
question. The parties in whose name
these large coal areas were covered
by locations without means; and in
vestigation shows that they are al
most entirely ignorant Of coal-lanC
law, the location of the coal lands
and what is being done under theil
power Of attorney. In other instances
combinations are composed of mer
Of means, and who had organized cor.
porations and had entered into con-
tracts prior to the location of the
claims to prove their issues in the
forming Of a corporation. This last
proposition was illegal under the ex-
lsting coal laws at the time the pools
were formed and these persons will
probably be able to come within the
provisions Of the act of May 2S, 1908,
entitled AN act to encourage the de-
velopment of coal deposits in the ter
ritory Of Alaska 1t is not thought,
however, congress intended or that
hereunder will permit the consum-
nation of schemes which were entire
ly fraudulent in their inception, and
were progressing under a system of
dummy entrymen who had and ex-
pected no ultimate interest in the land
itself after patent was secured"
Pierce Sustains Grabbers' Scheme.
Without any pressure from the gen.
examine the coal claims, until March
10, 1909, when a Telegram was sent
to him requiring him to submit at
once reports upon the present status
of the investigation and directing him
how to classify the claims.
April 3. 1909, CLAWS was requested
by telegram to report when the Cum
ningham reports would be received.
April 20, CLAWS was notified by
wire that the Alaska coal investiga-
tions must be completed within so
days
In May, 1909, CLAWS came to
Washington
In May, 1909, Assistant Secretary
Pierce signed a decision, holding that
the act of May 2S, 1908, allowed the
consolidation of coal claims in Alas
ka, notwithstanding such claims
might have been initiated as the re-
suit of conspiracy to defraud the
United States, and for the benefit of
others than the entrymen. In this
decision he directed the clear-listing
and patenting of claims of certain
character, which would have embrace
ed the Cunningham group.
Pierce Decision Overruled.
On May "a, 1909, CLAWS was sup
piled with copy of the Pierce deci-
sion and directed to make reports in
accordance Herewith.
On June IL the attorney general of
the United States rendered an opin-
ion which overruled the Pierce de-
csion in every particular.
On June 90, 1909, a telegram was
sent to CLAWS informing him that
the Cunningham claimants preferred
to stand under the old law, and that |
an immediate hearing would follow,
and that he should be prepared with !
the evidence.
One June 80, 1909, telegram was
sent to CLAWS requiring him to sub
nit reports on the Cunningham
group, and that notice of charges
would be prepared in the general land
office.
July /. 1909, a telegram was sent
o CLAWS informing him that the re-
ports must be submitted at once, and
hat he might continue investigation.
Prosecuted by Hurry Orders.
Between the dates of these latter
elegrams. CLAWS had wired to the
commissioner requesting further time
nd stating that the evidence was not
n complete shape, and would not be
or 60 days; that if he was forced in
hearing then he would have to rely
pom the entrymen for some of the
but If the hearings were de-
\ Nrp1 hn antt1l |
endent of the testimony of the en-
'ymen and would not be compelled
} put them on the stand or to rely /
pon their testimony.
July l, 1909, Special Agent Sheri- 9
an was required to stand ready to
o from Denver to Seattle to assist
LAWS. C
July Z, 1909, Clarence Cunningham,
gent for the claimants, was request
/ to transmit stipulations waving
ction in these cases by the Juneau !,
'fice, and allowed the commissioner
: to make a decision in the first in =
ance. =
Gu July 16, 1909, CLAWS was re- -
Tested to name towns in which evil 9,
ence might be taken. =
On July 16, 1909, Sheridan was re- y,
Tired by the general land office to :"
'oceed at once to Seattle to assist
LAWS
July II, Sheridan, by telegram. was J.,
quired to take complete charge of :
e cases.
Between the dates of these tele-
ans CLAWS had continued to pro-
st and ask for time.
Appeals 10 Forest Service.
July 16, 1909, CLAWS telegraphed to
ting Law Officer Shaw of the for