The San Francisco call., 1910-06-25
Senator Gore Declares Attempt
Was Made to Bribe Him
in Indian Deal
MEMBERS OF HOUSE AND
SENATE ARE INVOLVED
OklahOmal Holds Up Bill Which
Would Give Lawyer a Fee
of Millions
FULL INVESTIGATION OF
CHARGES MAY BE MADE

NV yAOdlNGlONs June 24--Sena-
w tor Gore of Oklahoma disclosed
in the senate today what he
interpreted as an effort to bribe him
in connection with legislation AFFECT
ing the fortune in attorneys fees
claimed by J. F. McMurray of Okla
homa for services rendered to the
Choctaw and Chickasaw nations in
land and townsite cases.
The charge created a sensation in
the senate, which later extended to
the house. The latter body in coDse-
quence sent back to conference the
general deficiency bill, which carried
an item relating to contracts between
the Indians and their attorneys.
As the result of the denouement,
Senator Gore finally involved mem
ber of the senate committee on. Indian
affairs. a member of the house COM
mittee on Indian affairs, two former
senators-one from Nebraska and the
other from Kansas. but whose names
were not made public in debate.
May Be Investigated
In response to suggestion by Sena-
tor Bailey that he saoald name the
senate members of the Indian affairs
committee Gore demurred. but declared
that he would welcome an investiga-
ton of the charges so that the whole
matter might be brought out before
body authorized to deal with his
allegations. 1t is not improbable that
such an investigation will be ordered.
Gore was compelled to address the
senate three times before that body
was fully aroused to the seriousness of
the charges he made. His first effort
was in connection with the adoption
of the conference report on the de-
fciency bill. which had been presented
by Senator Hale.
AS passed by the senate that measure
contains an amendment that would
nullify contracts made by the Choctaw
and Chickasaw nations and by individ-
uaI members of the tribes with their
attorneys. unless the contracts are ap-
proved by congress.
$3,OOO,OOO Lawyers Fee
This provision was in accordance
with resolution introduced by Gore
on May 4. 1t was designed to prevent
McMurray from obtaining fees which.
it is said. would aggregate $4,000, 900.
and which Gore complained had not
been earned by the attorney.
The conference report had been
adopted by the senate when Gore en-
tered the chamber. He announced that
he had been informed the senate had
receded from the amendment requiring
the approval by congress of tribal
agreements. but Hale explained that the
matter had been properly safsguarded.
Gore accepted the explanation. but
said if the contracts were to be recog-
nized, McMurray would receive $1,000
600. 1t was in this connection that he
had been exerted by a representative
of McMurray in an effort to defeat the
provision requiring congressional ac-
tion on the contracts.
Characterizing the McMurray claims
as having been Conceived in corrup-
ton and brought forth an eruption"
Gore said he had been approached by
an outsider who desired to interest him
in the McMurray claims.
Later. Gore examined the provision
as agreed upon in conference. He lost
no time in returning to the senate
chamber, where he moved to reconsider
the vote by which the conference re-
port had been adopted The presiding
officer informed him that the report
had passed out of the possession of the
senate. Gore then moved to recall the
report, but Gallinger moved to lay this
motion on the table. which was done.
Gore Explains
Addressing the senate on a question
of personal privilege. the Oklahoma
senator amplihed his charges that cor
rupt methods had been attempted to
defeat the senate provision concerning
the Indian contracts.
Gore explained that on May 4. last.
ne had offered resolution similar in
terms to the amendment he had placed
in the deficiency bill in the senate and
that it had been referred to the com
mittee on Indian affairs.
ON the following day Senator Hughes
had been directed to make a favorable
report on the resolution, he said.
ION May g. exclaimed Gore, "a man