Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-08-12
N MURRAY HAD
OTHER CONTRACTS
They Called for a Million and a
Halt Besides His At.
torney's Fees.
HIS OWN AGENT SCOTT SAYS
In Behalf of His Principal Visited In
dians aud Urged Them TO
Sign Contracts.

sulphur Okla. Aug l2.-That ]. +.
| MoMurray had contracts with the In
| dams by which In the sale of their
| lands he would receive not only 5000. q
| 900 as attorneys fees. but also agre o.
| ments calling for ST. 900. 900 in other
fees, was testified t. by George W.
| scott, before the special congressional
| investigating committee today. Scott
acted as an agent tor McMurray.
scott was regarded as one of the most
important witnesses in the INVESTIGATES
growing out Of Senator Il. p Cores
charges that he had been offered
bride TO promote the approval Of the
contracts In Congress.
If all the contracts McMurray held
with the Indians were successfully exc
cuted Scott testified. McMurray would
secure almost S6,O0O.00O in fees. These
we've for the sale on 10 per cent fee
basis Of segregated coal and asphalt
lands valued at s2O.0OO.OOO, unallotted
land valued at 1000, 900. and what s
known as leased district land valued
at sl5,000000
All these lands, Senator Gore CON
tends, could be sold by the govern
ment without the employment of paid
attorneys.
Telling OF hts relations with McMur-
ray. Scott said he had visited many OF
the Indians in 1909 and had urged them
TO sign the contracts. scott. himself a
Choctaw Indian, said he had signed the
contracts because he believed McMur-
ray would have more influence az
Washington than did the Oklahoma
delegation to Congress.
Did you ever have any Official posi-
ton from which you were released be-
cause OF your relations with MCMur-
ray2" asked Chairman Burke
Yes. had been secretary of Green
McCurtain. chief OF the Choctaws and
was asked TO resign"
Scott testified a telegram had been
sent last May to Richard Adams, at
torney at Washington. in which Vice
President Sherman and Senator
Charles curtis Of Kansas we're referred |
to as understanding more than any |
one else what the Indians wanted. |
Both Mr.. sherman and Mr.. Curtis" |
said Mr. Scott. Tong were identified |
with Indian affairs. and we believed |
they knew more about us than did |
one of our congressman"
WAS that the only reason for your
referring TO Mr. Sherman and Mr..
Curtis?' Scott was asked
Yes. we had absolute confidence IN
their ability TO deal with Indian af-
fairs"
Scott denied he ever received any
financial aid from McMurray. He in
sisted that his interest in the con-
/
To get the land sold
SENDING TELEGRAMS
He told Of inducing the Indians to
send kilograms to Washington urging |
the prompt sale Of the land in May
last
"McMurray was in Washington urg-
Ing the approval OF his contracts and
m May 3, three days before Senator
Gore says the OFFER was made TO him.
telegraphed to Scott I'm
oklahoma: Looks better here We
will win, | feel sure"
What did you take that TO mean? |
Did YOU think McMurray was going
10 get his contracts approved soOn?'
scott was asked.
well, IL appeared he felt encouraged
'ver the situation at Washington"
Referring to the contracts, Scott said:
'Out Of these segregated coal and as
halt lands the Indians thought they
ught TO get $50. 900 600 but we didn't
SIX more than 500. 900 900. The surplus
nallottcd land was worth about Sl5,-
90 600 and the leased district land per- |
ANS as much
"McMurray was to get 10 per cent |
( whatever money he got out OF II.
We believed McMurray was in a posi-
ion to expedite the sale OF these lands.
nd that's why I signed the contracts
nd induced others to sign"
"One reason why the Indians were
'illIng To pay bic fee Scott said,
was that they were afraid the govern
vent would reopen the rolls and take ,
l 10000 more Indians now excluded
rom sharing the proceeds"
Scott said he believed the Indians ,
'ould give % rer cent attorneys fees
they could sell NJ once
AID FRIENDS. ENEMIES WAITED
Scott also declared that the McMur- 7
~ law firm had contributed 81 600 10
ie campaign fund i'm tribal election
3 treasurer of the Choctaw nation, |
rott said. he had charge of payment
warrants He said IL was customary I
rst to pay tho warrants Of his friends D
nd then hold up those who were not I
Is friends. I
DO you think that that is the proper r
ay to discharge the affairs OF the ma
?" he was asked. r
Yes. / thought Il was all right: IL =
as frequently done"
Did YOU over visit a town called
obbers' Roost?"
The witness said he had not
A previous witness declared Robbers al
cost was the center OF operations for Al
McMurray agent. al
Questioned further Scott admitted no g,
a received from McMurray $500 for q,
penses. hut ne had not kept an &C. a,
unit Of what McMurray still might m
fe him Il
scott admitted his management OF
q financial affairs OF the Indians was u,
2 subject Of complaint at washing N
n. and that the secretary Of the IN tr
-ior finally took the payment OF war ps
nts out OF his hands. az