The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1910-11-25
OWEN MAY HAVE TO
EXPLAIN CONTRACT
Proceeding is Now Pending in United
States to Determine What Would
Constitute Reasonable Fee.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 19.-Sena-
tor Robert L. owen of Oklahoma prob
ably will be asked to explain the 80
per cent contracts which he holds
with certain Mississippi Choctaw In
dians when the. special subcommittee
of the house on Indian affairs resumes
its investigation of the charges made
by Owens colleague, Senator Gore,
in connection with the pending legis-
lation affecting individual contracts
held by ]. F. McMurray of McAlester
with citizens of the Choctaw and Chick
asaw nations of Oklahoma.
Senator Owen became interested in
these contracts before his election to
the senate. 1t is understood that
property worth $12,0000O0 to $15,OO0,-
600 is involved. Some years ago, con-
gress abrogated the contracts, but a
proceeding is now pending before the
court Of claims to determine what is
a reasonable fee.
The subcommittee was appointed
in the closing hours of the last session
of congress. 1t will meet in Washing
ton next week to complete its investiga-
tion.
It will be recalled that Senator Gore
went on the. floor of the senate and
charged that man from his home
town of Lawton had approached him
with what he considered bribe OF
$4,000, which might be increased to
$4,000, If he would withdraw his op-
position to these. contracts. Repre-
sentative Murphy of Missouri repeated
the charge ron the floor Of the house
and added ..toS its sensational feature
The special committee, consisting OF
Representatives Charles II. Burke OF
South Dakota (chairman), Phil P
Campbell of Kansas, Clarence Il. Mil
Ter of Minnesota John III. Stephens OF
Texas and Edward W. Saunders of Vir
ginia, spent the month of August In
Oklahoma. About 100 witnesses in the
Choctaw and Chickasaw nations were
examined.
Chairman Burke arrived in Wash
ington Tuesday evening. He said to
night that he received letters from
three members of the committee stat
ing they will arrive here about Novem
Der 20. Until other members of th'
committee notify the chairman, M
date will be fixed for resuming thu
hearings However, the chairman sayi
the committee, will take up its worl
during the coming week.
1--WE have not. yet decided whethe
former Senator's Chester |. Long o
Kansas and. John M. Thurston of Ne
braska, who haye-interests in the Nc
Murray contracts. will be called t.
the witness, stand" said Mr.. Burke
Most of the important testimony al
ready has been taken. The purpose
of resuming the, hearing here is prin
cipally to get the testimony of attor
neys who live. in Washington. The
committee is investigating Indian con
tracts in general as we'll as those helt
by McMurray."
Richard C. Adams, the Delaware In
dian, whose name was frequently men
toned in connection with the McMur
ray contracts during the hearings IL
Oklahoma, will be summoned as ;
witness Mr. Adams is a resident o
the national capital representing tn,
Delaware Indians. When he was OF
the stand in Oklahoma, MIR. McMurra.
told the committee that Mr. Adams
has a perfectly legitimate interest
in the Choctaw and Chickasaw con
tracts.
While the committee was in Okla
homa, Senator Gore voluntarily with
drew the charge that Vice Presiden
James S. Sherman and Senator Chas
Curtis of Kansas were interested" il
the McMurray contracts and the thre
republican members of the committee
officially cleared Representative Bir,
S. Mcclure of Oklahoma of simila
charge
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