The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-13
Makes Complaint to Taft
About Wisconsin Indian
Reservation.
PRESENTS SPECIFIC
CASE TO PRESIDENT
Assistant Secretary of Interior
Pierce Makes Stout
Denial.
By J. C wELLIvER.

BY ]. c WELLIvER.
Senator La Toilette recently took a
hand in the controversy about conser-
walton, by making a direct complaint
to President Taft that the work of
caring properly for the forest areas
within the Wisconsin Indian reserva-
tons. had been dropped. As a result,
President Taft has secured from the
interior Department an explanation
which is regarded as a very accurate
forecast Of the defense that department
VIII make of its general policy toward
conservation activities.
Not only does the Interior Depart
ment defend It's own course. but IL In
dulges something very much like a di-
rect attack on the business Of the Forest
Service Of the Department OF Agricul-
ture. 1t is not yet possible to, learn
whether the issue between the two de-
partments has been raised, in this con-
nection, so broadly and definitely as TO
force the Executive TO take sides and
render any verdict. Built is very defi-
nitely stated that Assistant Secretary Of
the Interior Pierce has gone very vigor-
ously about the business Of defending
his department. and that he has not
been sparing his comment on the bust
ness methods Of the Forest Service in
handling the Indian woodlands
Senator Le Toilette has been a par
usan OF the Forest Service throughout
the conservation controversy. When
he went back to Wisconsin, after the
adjournment Of Congress. ne looked into
charges that had been coming to him
= q OBJ g--Ha-
forests, and, apparently, satisfied HIM
sell that there was ground for CON-
plant.
Wisconsin Situation Peculiar
The Wisconsin situation is peculiar.
There is great Indian population in
the State and very large area in reser-
walton, much Of ii timbered. A vast az
gregate wealth, In land and timber. Is
owned by the Wisconsin Indians, and
for many years there have been con-
slant charges that powerful numbering
interests in the State have been profit
ing by the privilege Of Swimming the
cream of the Indian timber holdings
on most advantageous terms. Mr.. La
Toilette has for years been fighting to
protect the Indians, and has secured i'm
portant legislation.
Under the Forest Service, these Indian
forests were managed by the Pinchot
organization in fashion highly salts
factory 70 Senator La Toilette. But
when their Jurisdiction was transferred
from the Forest to the Indian Office, the
Badger Senator found occasion for COM
plant He didn't think the interests Of
the Indians were being properly looked
after, and beyond that he didn't find
evidence that the public's concern about
forest conservation and perpetuatiOn
was getting enough attention. That
was the substance of the complaint he
transmitted to President Taft.
A specific case being presented. which
invited a showing Of the merits as be-
tween the Forest and the Interior Serv-
gage. Secretary Ballinger being absent.
Assistant Secretary Pierce received
President Tafrs demand for an eXpla-
nation. and prepared the answer 10 il.
The President wanted TO know II Il
were true that the Indian Offices had
ceased 70 cooperate with the forest of
ncials in caring for the Indians forests,
and. II so. why Mr. Pierce's reply.
which is understood TO be detailed and
specific. has Just been placed in the
hands OF the President.
Pierce Makes Denial.
The assistant secretary denies vigor-
ously thar the Indian Bureau has aban-
Goned the policy Of protection Of the In
dian interests or Of conservation Of
their forests. on the contrary, he I'M
Certakes in detail to prove that Il has
provided a better and more efficient sys-
tenn OF protection and conservation
than the forest officials tver had
worked out. and AT less eNpanse.
IL is shown that the expense o. con
Quoting this service for the benefit Of
the Indian forests has alway@ been
charged against the Indian fumes or
property. When the Indian forests were
under the Forestry Bureau. experts
H.a. 81 l..
Of them. Later. when jurisdiction of
these forests was transferred TO the
Interior Department, that department
retained the very same force Of forest
experts that had been organized by the
forest service. merely making them re-
sponsible TO the Interior i'-stead of the
Agricultural Department. They contin-
ued TO be paid from the Indian funds
Mr. Pierce, II Is stated. charged that
the Forest Service was responsible for
lavish and extravagant expenditure OF
the Indian money in administering these
forests. Costly and unnecessary i'm
made, with the result that tho Indian
funds were depleted and the Indians
themselves much disaffeCted. Moreover
II Is charged that no satisfactory record
has been keFt OF these expenditures.
Complain About Waste
The Indians have been complaining
about the waste Of their money, and the
most definite Information the interior
officials have as to details Of the ex-
penditures comes from this correspond
euce with the Indians
officials i'm position 10 have some ia
miliarity with this matter. express the
opinion that Mr.. Pierces reply TO the
Presidents demand for explanation will
draw forth some animated rejoinders
from the Forest Service officers. if they
are given the chance to reply to Il. The
general attack by MIR. Pierce on the
alleged lax business methods and eN-
travaganCes Of the Forest Service Is
looked upon as indicative Of the line of
attack which Will be made by the IN
terror Department on the whole conduct
or the Forest Service, whenever the con-
servation discussion reaches a joining
OF Issues. This is the same line which
has been persistently followed by anti
conservation Senators like Hepburn
carter and others from the mountain
states who have protested, session
afler session. that conservation was I'm
TACT a huge extravaganza. Mr.. PinchOt.
vigorously supported b. Secretary Of
Agriculture Wilson, s. prepared not only
20 cOmhat these charges, but, II Is un-
derstood, 10 present evidence that there
mas been In fact a decided change Of
policy as TO these Indian forests.
significance is attached. particularly,
10 the fact that Senator la Toilette has
espoused the cause OF the Forest Ser
vice. so far as concerns the controversy