Tanana leader., 1910-02-03

dA OutSluO otoAO POAAC' ASO
in part:
am asking for this investigation Of
the general land Office because it is a
notorious fact that for q number Of
years gross frauds have been perpetra-
ted and millions of acres of valuable
public land have been acquired by pri-
vate individuals and corporations in
violation of law. say this fact is no.
torious. It has been published repeat
eddy in the newspapers. 1t has been
referred to and admitted in every re-
port Of the secretary Of the interior,
even including the last report OF the
present secretary just issued.
Only last year thia congress appro-
priated = million dollars to protect the
public lands against these frauds, and
if rumor Is true-and rumor is some
times true-a considerable part of that
appropriation SO made -. has been
misspent and has been used for the pur-
chase Of expensive furniture, amount
ing to tens OF thousands Of dollars, and
the addition Of more than 80 clerks on
the payrolls in tho land Office, and also
to double the salaries of employees who
are competent and willing to stand in
With the ring which now dominates
and controls the land Office. 1t thus
happens that at least one or more of
the subordinatss is now actually receiv-
ing out Of the fund to protect the pub
lie domain more salary than is paid
under the Law to his superior officer.
These, however, srs only rumors.
Now let US come to specific charges
which have been made and which in
cluds ineontrovertible facts. Within
the past few months . sensational con-
troversy has arisen within the land
office itself. An old and valued en-
ployee in that land Office, Mr.. L. R.
CLAWS, at that time holding the impor-
tant and responsible position of chief of
the field division, charged with the
Interrogation of alleged frauds, was
summarily discharged by the President
Of the United States, or by the secre-
tary OF the interior upon the authority
of the President of the United States.
without hearing. .:s= :.-..:.. -
And what was the complaint brought
against this man who was charged
with the duty OF investigating alleged
frauds? Was he charged with comm.
wing with the land wolves who are en-
deavoring to plumber the public do
rnain?' Was he charged with neglect
Of his duties? On the contrary, the
ouiy charge made against him was that
he showed too much zeal in his efforts
TO protect the public interest, and for
that reason he was summsrily dismissed
from the service without hearing.
Since his dismissal Mr. CLAWS has
published in Golfers Weekly, one Of
the responsible great publications in
this country, . specific, temperate and
carefully prepared article in which he
has stated the history Of the contro-
versy which resulted in his discharge.
Now. l want to say 8 word just here
about the unfortunate subordinate in
the government department who by
reason Of his work becomes aware of
frauds attempted against the govern
mspt. pity such man. pity him
hscause ~, Is forced often to choose,
bstwssn holding his position in silence
and speaking the truth and losing his
position. We have had recent cases in
NswYork q subordinatss who saw the
g6vernmsnt boldly robbed BY one Of
ths grsatesa trusts Of this country.
Years sgo thsss Observation-Disclosures
a111pf thS frauds in New York, and
wEsnaAey went to their superior oda-.
sSts Ii IL government Of dc United
ssasss Win the facts which i1ad come
toshsir knoNledes, their fate WAS the.
sslbe - the fais which came to. Glayis
-shsy we're suamarily discharged Or
rjlaoved from the positions which they
hstd. ,-...
The ease Of wskepnsn Is still fresh
ine tks public mind. Had Wakeman-
bAenss, Issaned to, had Wakeman's
ehtrges bssn taken up by his superior
officers, Or had . congressional inquiry
been held many later frauds WOULD
), :. = y y Ss-S @5f $50