The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-10
Mullen on the Stand.

McAlester, okla, Aug 10.-Tues
day marked the second days hear.
ing by the congressional committee
into the McMurray Indian contracts,
and incidentally into the general ln-
dian situation.
In the forenoon the time of the
committee was occupied by the in
PRODUCTION of certain kilograms that
passed between Jake Hamon and
McMurray, in which little was ad-
duced.
J. A. Long of Poteau state that
a citizen at Hugo represented TO
him that much money would have 10
be expended by McMurray to Sc
cure the needed legislation.
Campbell LeFlore, citizen :;
Atoka. testified that McMurray had
offered to employ him to secure
individual contracts from members
of the tribe.
Hamp Tucker, mining trustee, was
on the stand for more than an hour,
and insisted that the tribal affairs
should be speedily adjusted by
congress.
J. S. Mullen of Ardmore, the
states largest farm owner, and
member of the Choctaw tribe, was
on the stand for a great length of
time. 1t may be said of Mullen that
his knowledge of Indian lands, their
value, the Indians and their status,
the needs and wants of the coun-
try, is not equalled by any man in
all the state today. After his pre-
sentation of the matters to the
committee, it was conceded by
crowded room of spectators ana by
many of the Officers Of the gOvera-
ment that his preservation OF the
n after was by frr .aa .I-n42est of
,rv yet mad
Mullen SHOWED hat he ha! been
approached to sign the McMur.ay
contracts; that he refused, stating
that they were unwarranted, nucall
ed for, and without merit, except
in one instance.
That towns within the segfegaT
ed belt desired the surface of the
segregated coal lands sold separate
and distinct from the mineral; mat
the Oklahoma delegation favored
that and that for himself ne Has
willing to defer to their judgment.
That as regards the unallotted
land, aggregating one million and
half acres. instead of selling that
allot it, and let the restrictions be
removed as allotted. By this method,
it would be more expedient, quicker
and more satisfactory than to at
tempt to sell the land on longtime
payments. He referred to the town
sites as an example of the long
drawn-out period necessary to wind
up matters of this character.
He urged that congress be given
authority to bring suit to see if
the government should not pay for
the land within the ninety-nine and
one hundredth parallels.
That the rolls should be closed,
except where in meritorious in
stances, by special legislation per
sons should be enrolled.
The triba funds should be
speedily paid out per capita.
That more definite laws be made.
There were other matters touched
upon by Mr. Mullen.
The committee this afternoon
made a special tour of a portion of
the coal fields. going as far east
as Hartshorne
To-Day will conclude their sittings
at this place, and from here they
20 to Sulphur.
Congressman Carter arrived last
night to participate in the hearings
United States Senator Gore who
introduced Mullen, LeFlore. and 9th
er members of the tribe, will ac-
company the committee to Sulphur.
During Mullens testimony. he stat
ca by inuendO at least that con-
CONTINUED on PAGE FOUR.