The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-09
Defense in Indian Contracts
Case Tries to Spring
New Sensation
WITNESS DEC| ARES THAT
CREAGtA WANTED MONEY
Congressman Crenger Makes Statement
Explaining the situation in Which
He Tried To Borrow Money
ON Some Land

EreSsional sensation was sprung to-
day when it was reported that Con-
gressman Creager of Oklahoma had
solicited money from j. Murray al
legged holder of the Indian contracts.
The report was made by Jacob Ham
mon before the special committee ap-
pointed by the House of Representa-
tives. The charge developed in connec-
tion with the inquiry into the declara-
ton of Senator Gore that he had been
offered $4,000 or $4,000 bribe to
help put through Congress the Nc
Murray contracts by which, he assert
ed, McMurray and his associates would
be able to secure s3.0OO,000, or 10 per
cent attorneys fees in the sale of $780,
600 acres of coal, asphalt and timber
land now belonging to the Indians in
this state.
Senator Gore said Harmon had Of
fered the bribe in behalf of McMurray,
and Congressman Creager had also
testified that it had been suggested
that Creager might secure interest
in the contracts If he helped to remove
all opposition to the approval of Con-
gress and President Taft.
Appearing before the committee to-
day Harmon made the counter-c charge
against Creager. He said the congress
man had solicited money from McMur-
ray during the tendency in Congress
of a bill which had been drawn up by
McMurray and which Creager intro
duced.
Sale of Surface Lands
The bill provided for the sale of the
surface lands to private individuals and
fay f1oa sol nf ha min
the government.
Although the McMurray contracts
were not referred to in it, the bill.
Harmon said, was so termed that Nc
Murray might have been enabled to
put in a claim for the attorneys fees.
The measure, however, was not
passed
"I want Mr.. Creager recalled to the
stand to answer these charges" said
Mr.. Harmon. 81 want him to explain
why, just after he introduced that bill,
he went to McMurray and under guise
of loans demanded from McMurray
large sums of money. l think it will
throw considerable light on the Indian
land situation at Washington IL Crea-
ger is recalled and asked about his re-
peated demands of money from Nc
Murray"
Upon being informed by Congressman
Charles H. Burke, chairman of the com
would be recalled. Harmon asked to be
allowed to Introduce witnesses to testify
as to his character. His request was
taken under consideration.
1t was Indian day at the hearing alto
gether. Many Indians testified that they
had signed the McMurray contracts al
lowing 10 per cent attorney fees because
they had become impatient with govern
mental delay. AS the wards of the gov
eminent, they said they had concluded
they had to employ attorneys to fight
the government In order to secure what
money had been promised.
Thousands Sign Agreement
II was pointed out that IS per cent of
the Choctaws and Chickasaws had signed
the 10 per cent agreement. This repre-
Sented a large proportion of the 10l, ,0UO
Indians in the state which contains more
than one-third of all the Indians in the
United States.
That McMurray's agents had gone
among the Indians and asked them to
sign the contracts and to send kilograms
to President Taft urging him to approve
the sale of the land on a 10 per cent at
torneys' fee basis was the burden of the
testimony of the Indians.
I'VE have become used to the 10 per
cent idea," declared Parke Anderson q
Choctaw Most of the Indians in this
state have to pay 10 per cent on all debts
and borrowed money. We have become
20 dependent on attorneys that they have
. hand in almost everything we do"
do you mean to say that to sell your
lands you are willing to give McMurray
100000, or enough to hire all the law
yers in Oklahoma?" asked Congressman
Miller.
yes; we have waited SO long for the
government to act that some of US would
give % per cent if it would quicken the
sale. We need the money to develop the
land
c. c. Choate. another Choctaw Indian
estimated that If his land was sold
through the McMurray contracts his
share would be 5000, with a reduction OF
)S0o In fees. Now. said he. II would
rather have $4500 while / am living than
walt until the government acts and ge'
5000 when I'm a dead Indian"
ssWhy Is 1t that while you have attor-
peys paid on regular salary and ap-
proved Of by the government that YOU
employ special attorneys?'
because our regular attorneys get paid
whether they work or not, while the spe-
etais on a contingent work basis have tc
obtain results or get nothing In the way
Of fee."
Much Battered Indian
\ singular appearance was presented
BY Charles LAHORE, Choctaw Indian
Who, as captain of police. had figured
II many battle of the plains. He had
only one eye, three of his fingers were
shot away, and his body was covered
with bullet scars. Asked about the activ-
ny of McMurray's agents he narrated
that he had been approached by George
w. Scott, acting for. McMurray, and hat
been induced to sign a telegram, thu
wording of which he himself had never
dictated, this being telegram addressed
70 Richard c. Adams Of Washington, ar
attorney and chief of the Delaware
Indians.
The substance of this telegram, he said
vas that the Indians approved of tht
contracts and asked Adams to call OF
President Taft and urge him to sell thu
land without delay.
s'Who did you think Adams was?''
\ wWhy, thought he was somebody will
N powerful influence who could so to thu
V6Rosident and to congress and tell then
Ewhat Ne wanted. We wsre not % anx