Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-04

, said an official higher up in the gov
ernment was also interested in the
deal" He then named Sherman
Gore Gives Details.
Telling the story Gore said that in
1908 President Roosevelt refused to ap-
prove certain contracts which McMur-
ray had secured with the Indians as
tribes. Under the law the contracts
made with the tribes Of Indians were
not valid until approved by the presi-
procured contracts individually with
about 10000 Indians, whereby the In
dams were to give 10 per cent Of the
gross receipts Of the sale Of their
lands.
"McMurray came to my office at
Washington and wanted me to support
his contracts. told him would not
do so, but on the other hand, thought
1t would be absurd for the Indians to
pay that vast sum of money for SER
vices which the government was In
duty bound TO perform"
The Appeal to Roosevelt.
McMurray interests then went to
Roosevelt and sent telegram to
the president urging him not to ap-
provo the contracts. It was notable
how active was the McMurray. inter-
ests. When ! called on Secretary Bal
linger to protest against the contracts
was told not to talk so loud, as Ex-
Senator Long, of Kansas, was present
and he was interested in the contracts.
Il had introduced in the senate a reso-
luton requiring that all contracts made
with Indians should be approved by
congress before they became valid.
May last, the committee having it
under consideration instructed Senator
Hughes to report 1t favombfy.
Harmon Appears on Scene.
'sThe very next day Jake Harmon, of
1awton. Okla, came to my office He
said he had q telegram to visit me and
he was interested in the McMurray
contracts. Then he mentioned the
name Of an official very high up in the
government, and when I expressed as
tonishment Harmon said: "well, you
know there's lot of. money In this
thing. II you say the world I'll ar
range for $4,000. There will be no
checks IN this deal. and no marked
money. It will be all new, clean
money "Hammon also said: There's
a lot Of money tied up in this deal and
big fee for somebody"
other Members Involved.
slHe then explained that he wanted
| me to withdraw my bill [Gore's bill
was against the McMurray contractsl
or at least have 1t reported unfavor-
ably. 1t seems he did not know it had
already been reported favorably. When
q scoffed at the offer Of q bribe, even
II it were raised to $4,000, as Harmon
suggested 1t might be-" testified Gore.
my visitor (EIammon) in my Office at
Washington went on to say that other
! members of congress were interested
in the contracts. He said Senator Cur
tbs was Interested and Congressman
Mcclure. OF Oklahoma. and then he
| mentioned the name OF a man higher
up in the government. was appalled,
when heard that name.
"What was the name OF that man
| higher up?" asked Chairman Burke.
Mentions Sherman Reluctantly.
| "well," replied Gore, II don't like to
say; indeed could not repeat 1t with
out great deal OF reluctance"
| "Now, Senator Core" explained
Burke, "this committee has come here
to get all the facts and we want you
to tell all you know"
| "well, aIs that Is true" responded
Gore, y will tell all know. The man
mentioned by Harmon as being high
en- up and interested in hhe McMuray
contracts was Vice President sher-
man." M
| No further questions were asked
concesnang the mention OF Vice Presi-
dent Sherman. On cross examination
0ore ssdd he. had business relations
witch HAmmon. their relations always