The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-10
-FOUR FIRED
FROM j. 6.
Sc Rv|C
JOHN d. BENEDICT AND
THREE OTHERS sUS-
PENDED
ALLEGED DIseDscEfuL
CONDITIONS DISCLOSED

Washington, Ian. 10.-- Secretary
Balllnger OF the interior department.
today suspended from office Super
intendent John u. Benedict, OF the
Five Civilized Tribes OF Oklahoma,
and three supervisors. as the result
OF an investigation that has disclos-
ed disgracefuI condition affecting
the material and moral welfare of the
schools.
AS the result Of the Investigation
that the Inferior department has
hcon carrying on for some time and
which viii be continued, other OFF,
cals Of the Indian service may suf-
ter like fate to that OF Superintend-
ent Benedict and three supervisors
suspended today
Four Suspended
The investigation that resulted In
today's action was entered into be-
cause OF charges that officials are
connected as well as others. with
activities improper for government
employees. The suspended supervis-
ors, are Calvin Ballard. OF the Choc
taw schools at. McAIester: Frederick
II Umholtz, OF the Chickasaw schools
AZ Ardmore; and Walter Falweli, OF
the Creek schools et Muskogse.
Before any other action Is taken In
;helr eases, the four men will be al
lowed to make answer TO the sccre-
tary Of the interior as to the charges
against them.
"psoraceful Condition" Charged
From the report made OF the case,
II appears superintendent Benedict Is
connected with certain interests In
Oklahoma that have mere or less
business with the Indians His re-
lationship. II was believed was who'll
" incompatible with his service as
superintendent. He had permitted
the schools, Il was reported to fall
Into dlsgraceinl condition. and the
supervisors have neglected their du-
ties In the enforcement OF school
contracts and In matters affecting
tho material and moral conditions
surrounding the conduct of the school.
Benedict Superseded
Oscar II Lipps, supervisor OF In.
dian schools who has been sent TO
Oklahoma, notified the department.
loday OF his arrival and that he has
feleyel superintendent Benedict
pending the result of the investiga-
tion The duties of the suspended SUI
peryisors win be performed tempor-
nrly by detHiled clerks OF the In.
dian office superintendent Bene-
/ diet has been connected with the In
dian service for ten years
Secretary Ballinger and Commis-
sloner Valentine. OF the Indian office.
announce that the investigation OF
conditions surrounding tho schools.
although not public viii be thorough.
/ The last prop was knocked from
undes Benedict when Speaker Can
non consented to his suspension az
head OF the indian schools. Benedict
owes his job to Cannon and formerly
lyed at Danyile. Illinois.
Falwell was appointed from Kansas
and the chances are he will be rein
stated in the service and may possi-
l bly, succeed Benedict as superintend-
mt of schools.
The official head of j. Carter Cook.
superintendent OF the district Indian
AGENTS In Eastern Oklahoma. with
headquarters at Mnskogee, Will also
Re cut off pending further investiga-
ton.
Official Geeapitations in Oklahoma
are just beginning according TO the
high official In the government and
even the Commissioner TO the Five
Civilized Tribes. J. George Wright,
may soon be minus $4,000 job.