Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-13
LYON ON THE GRID ON ROBBERS TRAIL
Texas Republican Leader Tells Arrest Made After Search
of McMurray Contracts Covering Three Years.
WHY HE GOT AN INTEREST TIFLIS TREASURY LOOTED
Ability Not Fifty Thousand Dollars Russian
Political Influence Notes Stolen.
CANE TO SEE ROOSEVELT THIEF TRACED TO AMERICA
Dropped Out When Old Contracts
Were Disapproved-Has No in Boston ind Andre
interest," Now. Rullov Ia Arrested
Texas Republican Leader Tells
of McMurray Contracts.
WHY HE GOT AN INTEREST
Wanted His Business Ability, Not
Political influence.
CAME TO SEE ROOSEVELT
Dropped Out When Old Contracts
Were Disapproved-Has No
Interest Now.

SULPHUR, Okla. August 13.-What
part Cecil A. Lyon, national committee
man of Texas took in the activity at
Washington for the approval Of the old
tribal McMurray contracts for the sale of
Indian lands was described by Mr.. Lyon
in the hearing before the congressional
investigating committee today.
These contracts we're disapproved by
President Roosevelt in 1908. The new
contracts, which are the cause of the
present investigation, Mr.. Lyon said he
had no interest in.
In 19O5,' said Mr.. Lyon, Il joined
with j. F.. McMurray's law firm in the
contracts by which a 10 per cent attor-
ney's fee was to be obtained in the sale
of land
Discussed With Roosevelt.
Mr.. Lyon went to Washington, and
in company with Francis A. Leupp,
commissioner Of Indian affairs. dis
cussed the subject with President
Roosevelt. There was some talk OF
making the Indians holders in the
land, but this plan was not gone into.
Was 1T possible that your connection
with President Roosevelt and your
political influence induced McMurray
to get you to join him." asked Chair
man Burke
1T is possible, but l fiatter myself
that it was partly my business ability"
But it was known that you were a
welcome visitor at the White House,"
Yes, l believe So
Good Friend Of President.
at was known. then, that you were
a good friend Of the President and
that you called on him often; that was
publicly known, wasn't it?'
Yes 1 suppose so.''
do you think this prompted McMur-
ray to ask you to join him, that is, be-
cause of your political influence and
your friendship with the PRESIDENT"
this. but 1 fiatter myself it was be-
cause of my business experience
Mr.. Lyon continued: Il told Secretary
Garfield that my employment in the
and if there was anything not proper
about the contracts, / would have moth
ing to do with Them
Mr.. Lyon testified he made an effort
to have investigated certain indictments
against the McMurray law firm.
Indictments Were Dismissed.
THE indictments had been returned
in connection with Indian affairs. 1t
was represented to him. Mr.. Lyon said.
that the indictments were unjust.
The Attorney General later recon-
mended to the President that the in
dictments be dismissed, and the indict-
ments subsequently were dismissed, the
witness said.
What was your idea in bringing the
matter to the attention OF the authorities
w
"Well, we had had a President then. as
we have now, who believed in a square
DEAL and if these indictments were not
fair they ought to have been investi-
gated"
Did you enter into the Indian land
contract deal with McMurraE prior to. or
after the indictments were dismissed?'
Il think afterward.'
Not in New Deal.
II took I'D the McMurray contracts
purely as business DEAL" said Mr.. Lyon
After they were disapproved had moth
ing further to do with the matter.
have had absolutely nothing to do with
the present contracts that McMurray has.
ION the floor of the House of Repre-
sentatives in the last session Representa-
tive A. P. Murphy of Missouri unjustly
attacked me by saying McMurray in lob
bying for the present contracts was ably
assisted by myself. That statement by
Mr.. Murphy was made either in igno-
rance or through a desire to misrepresent.
l have done nothing for the contracts un-
der investigation"
Report in Two Parts.
1t is probable the committee will require
another week to complete the gathering of
evidence. The report to Congress will
then be formulated. This report will deal
with two subjects.
The first of these will be the charges of
Senator I. P. Gore that he was offered
$4,000 bride to withdraw his opposition
to the McMurray contracts, which pro-
vided for the sale of the $3O,OO,O0O to
$NO0O,OOO worth Of Indian lands on a 10