Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-10
Indian School Officials Have
Thirty Days for Defense.
ALL HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED
Secretary Ballinger Advised That
Instructor Is Below Standard.
RESULT OF AN INVESTIGATION
Department Received Information of
Activities Inconsistent With
Duty Of Employees.

Supt. John c. Benedict Of the Five
Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma and five
supervisors of the Indian schools, Calvin
Ballard of the Choctaw nation, at Nc
Alester. Okla; f. II. Umholtz of the
Chtckasaw nation. at Ardmore, Okla, and
Walter Farwell of the Creek nation, at
Muskogee. Okla, who were suspended
yesterday by Secretary Ballinger of the
Interior Department on charges that the
schools under their direction are not up
to the standard set by the Interior De-
partment and that ''disgraceful condi-
tons exist, nave thirty days in which
to reply.
Oscar H. Lipps Of the Indian office, su-
pervisor of the Indian schools, arrived in
Oklahoma yesterday and relieved Supt.
Benedict pending the result of the in
vesttgation. The supervisors duties will
he assumed by clerks detailed from the
Indian office
Reports Received by Department.
The investigation which resulted in the
action Of Secretary Ballinger was entered
into because of various reports reaching
the department charging the officials sus-
pended, as well as others, with activities
which it was thought were improper for
government employees. The condition of
the schools, it is also declared, is not up
to the standard required. Supt. Bene-
dict, 1t appears from the report made in
ests which have more or less business
with the Indians, which relationship it
was believed. Is wholly incompatible with
his service as superintendent.
According to the advices received in
this city. the superintendent makes a full
hints at IL
ties may be responsible. This latter
charge it was stated at the Interior De-
partment this afternoon, is without foun-
dalton. as the Secretary Is looking to the
Improvement of the service in making the
suspension.
In special dispatch received today
Mr.. Benedict says:
For some time l have had an idea
that something of the kind would hap
pen. 1t has been brought to my atten-
ton in more ways than one that other
fellows are after my job. and as a re-
suit l telegraphed to Washington last
week asking that should any charges be
made aga INST my administration I might
ceived a reply that l would have full
opportunity to prepare and present my
answer
Fails to Understand Charge.
Il have no idea what is referred to by
disgraceful conditions 1t is proba BILE
that Lipps came to Oklahoma expecting
to find the schools in the same condition
that he would government reservation
schools. All the buildings used by the
schools under my supervision are lapi-
dated, and many of our teachers have
left us to teach in the state schools.
Mr. Lipps did not come to see me and
ask about affairs, but went to each one
of the schools without meeting the super
visor in any. 1t IS an easy matter for
any one to go to any school and by
quizzing the pupils about conditions and
the treatment accorded them make an
unfavorable report.
Enters a Denial.
I'm regard to my connection with In
dian affairs. which renders 1t wrong for
me to hold official position. think that
there must be some mistake In the re-
port. The only position that hold that
could In any way have any bearing on
the situation Is that on the state text
book board. to which l was appointed
by Gov. Haskell.
II would consider this as advantageous
and. tending to help me in my regular
work. l wish to say. though, that
have never had any business dealing
with the Indians, nor have l dealt in In
dian lands