The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-13
Rake-Ott In Indian Contracts Would Have Anu nted to
 Over s5,OOO,OOO
M'MURRAY GOT BIGGEST
 FEE PAID ID ANYONE
Land Deal and Ten Per Cent Had Been Agreed Upon as Amount
 for the Attorneys

Sulphur. Okla, August f2.-Lawyers ex- pressed In figures their expense accounts running as high as ssoo,o00, a single fee already paid amounting to $75o000 and contingent fees still pending that would aggregate about $5,000,O00 according to the investigation in the Indian contracts by the special House committee today
 It was pointed out that the Indians had aided materially In the contemplated bribes in Indian lands by their own per- sstency in making demands for their allotments in cash payment. It was shown that they paid for the special coun- sel.
 The fee of s750,o00 was paid to J. F. Me- Murray several years ago. and his law partners, after they had prosecuted what are known the citizenship case" which it was stated kept off the rolls 32000 persons who wanted to participate In the claims against the United States government.
 By the winning of the suit it was ex- pained by witnesses that the value of the property of the Indians who remained on the rolls would be enhanced sl6, ,O00,- 900.
 The sale of the property and the di- vision of the proceeds is still being fought for by the Indians outside of the inves- tigation. The testimony of George F. Scott, choctaw, developed the situa- ton.
 Scott was active in securing signatures for the McMurray contracts to promote the approval of which by Congress Sena- tor Gore had been accosted to obtain his own influence in the passage of the con- templated reformation of the contracts.
 $50 0,OO0,G0O Involved
 Over N0,000,000 worth of property, MT. Scott said. was involved, and from this 10 per cent had been agreed on as the legal fee if the measure had passed through Congress. He said Senator Gore had interrogated him closely and had end ed the conversation abruptly by assert ing 1t never could muster or marshal any strength in the lower legislative body to receive it's first welcome in extravaganza of attorneys fees.
 Scott admitted that he and McMurray had been treasurers respectively of the Choctaw nation previous to being connect ed with the Indian contracts.
 On cross-examination the witness said the department of the interior had several times complained over the method of cashing due bills for 50 cents presented by Indians just prior to disbursement pe- riods. He said the money the Indians claimed was necessary for their immedi- ate sustenance.
 Did you ever make any payments after you had received notification from the de- partment that you were to cease the prac- tice?" asked Representative Miller.
 Yes, I believe I did. but it was not obeyed by the other agents" replied the witness.
 MT. Scott said that the department or der was widely circulated.
 1T understand several lawyers received large minor fees?'' asked the chairman.
 Fees of Lawyers
 Did you ever see one who didn't know how to charger"
 That is not germane, answer the ques- ton," insisted the chairman.
 T don't know replied the witness, but the good Indians said so. If 1 needed lawyer I conferred with Mir McMurrays firm
 Scott testified that McMurray taught the Indians new game in politics.
 Did McMurray ever give you money for the work you were doing for him?" asked the chairman.
 He gave me 5000 once for expenses and some money l had collected as fees on the head tax of s1, but the other taxes he retained"
 Scott said McMurray had always re- imbursed at stated times when the h. dians received any money from the sale of their land himself and the others di- rectly interested in their welfare.
 Do you mean to say that the Indians were going to pay S0,000 for agreeing to that which was virtually one tax case in ritigation?" asked Representative San ders
 Yes sir; s1o a head would figure out sS0, coo"
 On cross-examination by Dennis Flynn, attorney for McMurray, Scott said there was nothing discreditable for him to carry out the order inhibiting him from paying due bill warrants. He said he was under bond during the tenure Of his office as treasurer and the government was protected from any probable pecula- tions.
 Refused to Turn over Books
 The witness said he refused to turn over his books to the government agents upon demand with a view of protecting the government, himself and the attorneys for the tribe.
 The Chickasaw treasurer had turned over his books and the officials were in- dicted subsequently,. Scott testified
 In response to a question of MT. Flynn. Scott declared that he had not at any time been indicted after he finally turn ed over the Indian books.
 MT. McMurray in view of the sugges- tions made by Representatives Sanders and Stephens and Senator Gore that no item in the expense accounts was ever filed by his firm told the committee that such accounts were on file in the depart ment of justice and in the interior de- partment and at all times accessible
 The chairman said he was aware of this fact. He asked why the contracts of Mr. McMurray were so assiduousiy prose- cuted after Scott had withdrawn upon his indictment The witness said he knew nothing more of the nature of the con- tracts as he had given up hope of re- covering his own personal losses.
 Memphis Gets a Pitcher