Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-15
0hioan with Democratic Senatorial
Microbe Shuns Inquiry.
DEBATE CHALLENGE
Senator Burkett Says After Primary
is Time to Consider It.
OMAHA INDIAN LANDS TO FORE
Bill Providing for Their Taxation
FnvOrnbly Reported to Senate
Agreement on Opening More
Dakota Territory.


Telegram )-senator Norris Brown put a
crimp In at least one Of the public service
corporations today doing business In the
District Of Columbia by favorable report
from the committee on corporations or
ganized in the District of Columbia. Of
which he is a member, on his resolution
directing a searching investigation Of the
affairs of the Washington Gas Light COM
pany, whose president is John r. Mclean
owner and publisher Of the Cincinnati En-
quirer and Washington Post. and who Is
seriously considering becoming a demo-
cratic candidate for senator from the
Buckeye state Senator Browns report
recommends a thorough investigation Of
this company, to the end that model
law for the control Of public service cor
porations in the District OF Columbia may
be enacted. He says in his report he be-
lieves the nation owes It to the people Of
the District of Columbia to have its house
put in order so far as corporations of this
sourt are concerned.
Senator Gallinger, chairman of the Dis
trict Of Columbia committee, wanted the
resolution referred to the committee over
which he presides and took occasion to
say that it was the first time in the
nineteen years of his senate service that
been invaded. Senator Browns resolution
was referred TO the committee on contin-
gent expenses, as it dealt with matter re-
quiring the expenditure of money for the
purpose of investigation. After some
little talk the resolution went over until
tomorrow, when it is expected there will
be things doing in the senate, the Gas
company being determined to sidetraCk
the investigation If possible.
Too EARLY to Talk Debate.
Announcement of Gilbert M. Hitchcock's
candidacy for the senate did not surprise
anybody here, as II had been discounted
months ago. The time, however. did not
seem propitous to Mr. HitchcocH to am
nounce his candidacy In February, so he
left 1T until March 13, four days before
st. Patrick's day
Mr.. Hitchcocks suggestion that Senator
Burkett and he enter upon a series of
joint debates throughout Nebraska after
the primaries does not meet with encour-
agement among republicans temporarily
residing in Washington. Senator Burkett
had nothing to say when approached to-
day on the Hitchcock announcement. He
did say, however, he would undoubtedly
be heard in Nebraska frequently In the
next few months and that his time would
tried to legislate to the best of his ability
during his congressional career He
thought he would wait in the matter of
the joint debate until he knew how the
Issues were joined There might be a de-
bate with someone else than Mr.. Hitch
cock.
The bill introduced by Senator Brown
providing for the taxation of the lands
Of the Omaha Indians in Nebraska was
favorably reported to the senate today. The
senate committee amended the Brown bill
to provide that lands of the Omahas, so
long as held under trust patent. shall not
be subject to levy and tax sale, as pro
vided under the laws OF the state of Ne
braska for collection of such taxes, but
II such tax shall not be paid within one
year after the Same shall become due and
payable, as provided by the laws of the
state of Nebraska, then the list of all such
unpaid and delinquent taxes on such lands
Of the Omaha Indians shall be certified by
the county treasurers Of the counties in
which such lands are situated to the secre-
taIy of the interior of the United States.
who shall be authorized to pay the same
from any funds belonging to the Indian
allottees owning such lands so taxed and
arising from rentals thereof or under his
COHhoL' ana IN event no such funds shall
be In the possession or under control OF the
secretary of the interior he shall certify
that fact TO the county treasurers, which
certificates shall operate as release and
discharge OF tax assessed against the land
of the Indian so without funds.
A conference lasting nearly two hours
occurred today between Indian Commits
sioLer Valentine, Senator Gamble School
Superintendents Michael and Beldin. Major
James Mclaughlin and some eighteen Of
the leading men Of the Standing Rock and
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