Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-08-14
INDIANS WOULD SOON
SQUANDER THEIR MONEY
Red Man Says IL Sales of Property
Should be Made, the Claimants
Would Spend the Cash and in Near
Future Would Become Paupers-
Would Pay McMurray More.
(By Associated Pressl


SULPHUR, OKLA. Aug. l3.-Wit-
nesses testified before the COMPRESSION
al Indian land investigating committee
today that If the Indian lands in Ok
lahoma were sold and the $50. 900. 900
profits were turned over to the In.
dians in cash. the state within ten
years would be flooded with paupers.
1t was asserted that many of the
Indians, who signed the McMurray
contracts allowing a 10 per cent AT
torneys fee" to J. F. McMurray and his
associates. We're finacially irrespon-
sible. They would soon squander the
cash. it is asserted
I Cecil A. Lyon, Republican national
committeeman of Texas. told of his
financial interest in the old tribal
McMurray contracts which provided
for 10 per cent fee. but which were
disapproyed by President Roosevelt in
1908 He said he had talked with
President Roosevelt in regard to the
contract.
Would Induce Buyers
Asked il he had been invited by Nc
Murray to join in the deal because OF
his political influence and his acquaint-
enance with the President, Mr.. Lyon
said he supposed he was, but he also
attributed the invitation TO his bust
ness ability. It was his purpose. he
said. as soon as the contracts were ap-
proved by the President. to induce
the money interests OF New York and
London 10 buy the property, which in
cludes about 10000 acres of coal and
asphalt lands. As soon as the Presi-
dent disapproved Of the contracts. said
Mr. Lyon. his relations with Mr.. MUIR
ray ceased and he was not interested
in the political contracts.
Would Spuander Cash.
Although he had signed the political
contracts and was willing that Mr..
McMurray should receive $4,000 900 as
a fee for selling the land and thereby
rendering service which the govern
ment promised to do without cost. J.
F. Myers. Chickasaw Indian. by in
termarriage. declared that in his opin-
ion many Indians would soon spend
their share of the money and become
dependents. or the $4,000 Choctaws
and 1000 Chickasaws who would share
in the proceeds. many would collect
from $1,000 to $4,000 each.
Instead OF using this money to i'm
prove farms On which they live and
which they still would retain sner
their surplus lands were disposed OF
a great many would soon be parted
from their cash. Is that not so?" ask
ed Congressman c. p. Miller.
Yes. In ten years a lot of them
would not have anything" was the re-
ply They would become paupers.
and with the national government no
longer to look to would become .
charge on the state
Willing to Pay More.
Many Chick2saws testified they were
willing to give McMarray as high as
25 per cent attorneys fees II he worif
sell the land within a year
do you mean to say you would be
willing 20 pay McMurray from 5000
600 to s. .Ooe. Geo for doing something
which the government has promised -
do for ncthing2- asked Senator T. p
Gore. Of Ben Doulsn. Chickssaw.
Yes. we would get a quick settle
ment-
In the two years since the second
contracts have been signed have yoI
heard Of McNrrray doing anything at
washington that would hasten The
salez-
No. but We felt he had the IN
iuence and the experience 20 work
among the congressman there"
Cecil Lyon was or the stand aB
moving. In provious testimony. ID. &.
Nccrrfain. one Of The chiefs OF the
Choc.aws had asserted that in 1896
IN the lobby at washington. McMursss
had offered him $4,000 bribe -
withdraw opposition to the contracts
AZ the time the Offer was made Mr.
Curtain testified. xcMurray had been
taking with Mr.. Igor. bu; ihe lati =
had walked away.
Nr Lyon today said n any bribery
had been attempted he knew noihine
about T.