The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-08
Government Officials Think
Congress Will Enact Laws
to Protect Red Men
COMMITTEE CONTINUES
ITS HEARINGS TODAY
Scene of Activity Is Moved From Mus
kogee TO McAlester, the Home Town
of McsIurray-More Evf-
dence Is Expected

McAlester, Okla. August THAT a
now era of wholesome legislation by
Congress has dawned for the Indians as
a result of the congressional inyestiga-
ton into the McMurray contracts is the
belief generally held among senators.
congressman and other government Off
cials assembled here.
The committee appointed by the House
of Representatives and headed by Con-
gressman Charles H. Burke of South Da-
kota to inquire into the charges of Sem
ator Thomas P Gore that he had been
rendered s25.ooo or $4,000 bribe to help
put the McMurray deal through Congress
arrived here today from Muskogee and
tomorrow will continue its hearings.
McAlester Is the home town of MeMur-
ray, the attorney who, with Others holds
the contracts. 1t is stated more light
will be thrown on Senator Cores declara-
tion that the sale is contemplated for $780,
100000 to New York syndicate of the
Oklahoma coal and asphalt lands now
that does not carry out the original 10
per cent attorneys fees intended, which
would mean 100000.
More evidence, 1t is believed, will be
forthcoming from Jacob Harmon Mon
day. He is charged by Senator Gore with
having offered bribe to secure the ap-
proval of the contracts by Congress.
The testimony given by the congress-
man of Oklahoma that Harmon called
him to a hotel in Washington and there
suggested he might obtain an interest in
the contracts If opposition were removed,
together with the Gore charges, is not be-
lived to be the end of the disclosures.
Mr.. Creagers testimony was regarded
as supplementary to that of the Gore
charges Harmon. who entered a gener-
al denial of all the charges made by Mr..
Creager, Senator Gore, D. F. Gore. the
brother OF the senator, and J. L. Tomp-
son. the secretary of the senator. has
been an interested spectator at all the
sessions.
Congressman Bird Mcclure of Okla
homa and Senator Curtis of Kansas, both
of whom were named by Mr. Gore as
having been mentioned by Harmon
as being interested in the land deal, have
left here.
Senator Curtis Denial
Senator Curtis strongly denied having
any relations with Mr.. Harmon Mr..
Mcguire. who testified concerning meet
ing Hammon in Washington and who.
In response to direct questioning, denied
he had ever been improperly approached
in relation to the McMurray contracts,
told the committee ne was ready to ap-
pear at any time.
The name of Vice President Sherman
who. according to Senator Gore, was
mentioned by Harmon as the man high
er up in the contract has been eliminated
ba INV los for
Gore is concerned
The senator said that he had no OBJ
iect in mentioning Mr.. Sherman's name
other than to relate all of what Ham
mon had said to him.
Since McMurray also has been charged
on the stand with having rendered s25.-
900 bribe to a Choctaw delegate to Wash
ington to withdraw opposition to old con-
tracts that were subsequently disapproved
by President Roosevelt in 1908. it is be-
lived Mr.. McMurray will be called to
testify Monday.
tracts consists of about 1000 signatures
secured individually from the Indians.
The story related the stand by Green
McCurtain. chief of 1900 choctaw In
dians. and venerable fighter of pioneer
days, made a deep impression here.
McCurtain related how his tribe year
after year had waited for the government
to sell their lands and how at last the
Indians, becoming discouraged. had be-
come the prey of attorneys whose prom-
ises were more glowing than those of the
government and real
1t cost his tribe in the last ten years.
McCurtain said, 100000 in fees for at
torneys besides a share in the $4,000 fec
paid to the McMurray firm of lawyers
several years ago in the citizenship cases
involving the Choctaws and Chickasaws.
Congressman j. II Stephens of Texas.
a member of the present investigating
committee, In an address In Congress
once referred to the $4,000 fee as out
rage. He then declared the attorneys
should have been made to pay back the
money
situation Needs Attention
ut is evident that the whole Indian
situation needs to be gone over by the
government" said an official today 1.-THE
Indians are the wards of the government.
vet they have become the prey of at
torneys. For instance. one attorney re-
ceived $4,000 a year for representing one
tribe and he resides in New York.
"In instances only where the govern
ment interests and those of the Indians
conflict should attorneys be employed"
said the official LAS far as the sale Of
the Indian lands is concerned" he said,
'the government itself by treaty has
agreed to dispose of the land and give
the proceeds to the Indians.
"The evidence that has developed, 1t
is asserted. will enlighten Congress on
what ought to be done for the Indians"
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