The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-11-19
OWEN MAY HAVE TO
EXPLAIN CONTRACT
Proceeding is Now Pending in United
States to Determine What Would
Constitute Reasonable Fee.

Washington, D. c., Noy. 19.-Sena-
tor Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma prob
ably will be asked to explain the so
per cent contracts which he holds
with certain Mississippi Choctaw In
dams when the special subcommittee
OF the house on Indian affairs resumes
its investigation of the charges made
by owens colleague, Senator Gore,
in connection with the pending legis-
lation affecting individual contracts
held by ]. F. McMurray of McAlester
with citizens of the Choctaw and Chick
asaw nations of Oklahoma.
Senator Owen became interested in
these contracts before his election to
the senate. 1t is understood that
property worth $l2.OOO,OoO to $15,OOO,-
900 is involved. Some years ago. con
gress abrogated the contracts, but, a
proceeding is now pending before the
court of claims to determine what is
reasonable fee.
The subcommittee was appointed
in the closing hours of the last session
Of congress. 1t will meet in Washing
ton next week to complete its investiga-
tion.
It will be recalled that Senator Gore
went on the floor of the senate and
charged that man from his home
town of Lawton had approached him
with what he considered a bribe Of
$4,000, which might be increased to
$4,000, if he would withdraw his op-
position to these contracts Repre-
sentative Murphy of Missouri repeated
the charge on the floor of the house
and added to its sensational feature.
The special committee, consisting of
Representatives Charles H. Burke of
South Dakota (chairman), Phil P.
Campbell of Kansas, Clarence E. Mil
Ter of Minnesota, John H. Stephens of
Texas and Edward w. Saunders of Vir-
ginia, spent the month of August in
Oklahoma About 100 witnesses in the
Choctaw and Chickasaw nations were
examined
Chairman Burke arrived in Wash
ington Tuesday evening. He said to-
night that he received letters from
three members of the committee stat
ing they will arrive here about Novem-
Der 20. Until other members of the
committee notify the chairman, no
date will be fixed for resuming the
hearings. However, the chairman says
the committee will take up it's work
during the coming week.
1--WE have not yet decided whether
former Senators Chester l. Long of
Kansas and John M. Thurston of Ne
braska, who have interests in the Nc
Murray contracts, will be called to
the witness stand" said Mr.. Burke.
Most of the important testimony al
ready has been taken. The purpose
of resuming the hearing here is prin-
cipally to get the testimony of attor-
neys who live in Washington. The
committee is investigating Indian con-
tracts in general as well as those held
by McMurray."
Richard c. Adams, the Delaware In
dian, whose name was frequently men
toned in connection with the McMur-
ray contracts during the hearings in
Oklahoma, will be summoned as a
witness. Mr. Adams is a resident of
the national capital, representing the
Delaware Indians When he was on
the stand in Oklahoma, Mr.. McMurray
told the committee that Mr.. Adams
has perfectly legitimate interest"
in the Choctaw and Chickasaw con
tracts.
While the committee was in Okla
homa, Senator Gore voluntarily with
drew the charge that Vice President
James s. Sherman and Senator Chas.
Curtis Of Kansas were interested" in
the McMurray contracts and the three
republican members of the committee
officially cleared Representative Bird
s. Mcclure of Oklahoma of similar
charge.