The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-13
LYONS PART IN 1T.
Texas Committeeman Testifles in Nc
Murray Land Case.

sulphur, Okla, Aug. 13.-What
part Cecil A. Lyon, national commit
teeman of Texas. took in the activity
at Washington for the approval Of the
old tribal McMurray contracts for the
sale OF Indian lands was described by
Mr.. Lyon in the hearing before the
congressional investigation committee
today These contracts were disap-
proved by President Roosevelt in 1908.
The new contracts which are the cause
OF the present investigation, Mr.. Lyon
said he had no interest in.
Asked If he was requested to Join
IN the old contracts because of his
political influence and acquaintance
with President Roosevelt, Mr.. Lyon
said:
1T was entirely possible"
In 1905, said Mr.. Lyon, he Joined
with J. F. McMurray's law firm in the
contracts by which 10 per cent at
torney's fee was to be obtained in the
sale of the land.
Mr.. Lyon went to Washington and
in company with Francis A. Leupp,
commissioner of Indian affairs, dis
cussed the subject with President
Roosevelt. There was some discussion
of making the Indians stockholders in
the land, but this plan was not gone
into.
YES it pc ssible that your connec-
ton with the president and your po-
litical influence induced McMurray to
get you to join him % asked Chairman
Burke.
'Is is possible, but I 1atter myself
that 1t was partly my business ability"
But it was known that you were a
welcome visitor at the White House ?"
yes, believe so.'
A Friend of Roosevelt.
1T was known then that you were
good friend of the president and that
you called on him often. That was pub
licly known, wasn't it?"
Yes, l suppose So"
do you think this prompted McMur-
ray to ask you to join him; that is
your friendship with the president?'
LAS I said it may have been partly
this, but 1 fiatter myself it was because
of my business experience"
Mr.. Lyon continued:
II told Secretary Garfield that my
employment in the matter was to be
open and above board and If there was
anything not proper about the contracts
1 would have nothing to co with them.
Mr.. Lyon testified he made an effort
to have investigated certain indictments
against the McMurray law firm.
The indictments had been returned In
connection with Indian affairs. 1t was
represented to him Mr.. Lyon said, that
the indictments were unjust.
The attorney general later recon-
mended to the president that the in
dictments be dismissed and the in
dictments subsequently were dismissed.
What was your idea in bringing the
matter to the attention of the authori-
ties at Washington"
Believed in Square Deal.
well. we had a president then as we
have now, who believed in a square deal
and if these indictments were not fair
they ought to have been investigated
Did you enter into the Indian land
contract deal with McMurray prior to
or after the indictments were dismiss
ed?"
"I think afterward. 1 took up the
McMurray contracts purely as a bust
ness DEAL said Lyon, after they were
disapproved I had nothing further to
do with the matter. ..,.4..-.,,.. ,-.....
81 have had absolutely nothing to
do with the present contracts that
McMurray has.
ION the floor of the house of rep
resentatives in the last session, Rep
resentative A P. Murphy of Missouri
unjustly attacked me by saying Nc
Murray in lobbying for the present
contracts was ably assisted by myself.
That statement by Mr.. Murphy was
made either in ignorance or through
desire to misrepresent. 1 have done
nothing for the contracts now under
investigation
Many Indians testified today. 1t is
probable that the committee will re-
quire another week to complete the
gathering of evidence. The report to
congress will then be formulated This
report will deal with two subjects. The
first of these will. be the charges of
Senator T. P. Gore that he was Of
fered a $25, 900 bride to withdraw his
opposition to the McMurray contracts,
which provided for the sale of the
$3O,OO0,000 to $50.000,00O worth of
Indian lands on 10 per cent contin-
gent fee basis to private attorney.
The other feature of the report will
be in the form of a recommendation
to congress for legislation to prevent
any future conditions similar to those
which brought about the present in
vestigation. 1t is the belief here that
the government hereafter will take a
more arbitrary hand in enforcing its
IT u Indiana