New-York tribune., 1910-01-10
BALLINGER GUSTS
Indian Officials Suspended Fol-
lozcing Inquiry.

Washington, JAN 9.-Secretary Ballinger
of the Interior Department to-day sus-
pended from office Superintendent John D.
Benedict of the five civilized tribes OF Okla
homa and three supervisors as the result Of
an investigation which has disclosed "a
disgraceful condition affecting the mate
rial and moral welfare OF the schools. The
suspended supervisors are Calvin Ballard.
of the Choctaw schools at McAlester: Fred
erick H. Umholtz, of the Chickasaw
schools Ardu1ore, and Walter Falwell, OF
the Creek schools at Muscogee. Before any
further action is taken in their case the
four men will be allowed to make answer
to the Secretary Of the Interior as TO the
charges against them
AS a result of the investigation which the
Interior Department has been carrying on
for some time, and which will be continued.
other officials of the Indian service may
suffer a similar fate to that OF Superin-
tendent Benedict and the three supervisors
suspended to-day.
The investigation which resulted in to-
days action was ordered because Of vari-
Gus reports reaching the department here
charging the suspended officials. as we'll as
others. with activities which it was thought
were improper for government employees.
From the report made in the case Ii ap-
pears that Superintendent Benedict is con-
nected with certain interests in Oklahoma
which have more or less business with the
Indians, which relationship 1t was believed
was wholly incompatible with his service as
superintendent. He had permitted the
schools. it was reported. 20 fall into a dis
graceful condition, and the supervisors
had neglected their duties In the enforce
ment of school contracts and in matters
affecting the material and moral conditions
surrounding the conduct OF the schools.
Secretary Ballinger and Commissioner
Valentine OF the Indian Office announce
that the investigation Of conditions sur
rounding the schools, although not con-
Quoted publicly, will be thorough. and that
the conduct OF the officers responsible for
the present conditions VIII be looked into
most carefully.
Muskogee. Okla. JAN a-John d. Bene-
dict and other accused Indian officers made
a full denial of the charges OF Secretary
Ballnger tonight. With their denials they
hinted that politics might be held respon-
sible for the accusations. and that the
methods of Supervisor oscar ii. Lipps Were
unfair. Mr.. Benedict said:
For some time have had an idea that
something or the kind would happen IL
has been brought to my attention in more
ways than one that other fellows are after
my job; and as a result / teiesraphed 70
Washington last week asking that. should
any charges te made against my admin
isIrauon. / might have a chance 10 an
swer them. / received a reply that |
would have full opportunity to prepare and
present my answer.
] have no idea what Is referred to by
''dsgracefui conditions" II Is probable
that Lipps came TO Oklahoma expecting 20
find the schools In the same conditl on that
he would government reservation schools.
All the buildings used by the schools un-
der my supervision are dilapldated. and
many OF our teachers have left US 10 teach
in the state schools.
Mr., Lips did not come 10 see me and
ask about afYairs. but went 10 each one OF
the schools. without meeting the super
visor in any. 1t Is an easy matter for any
one 10 so to any school and. by quiZzing
the pupils about conditions and the treat