Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1913-01-18
GRAVE CHARGE
FOR FISHER
TO FACE
SECRETARY OF INTERIOR IS OPENLY
CHARGED WITH TRYING TO FORCE
OSAGE INDIANS TO LEASE OIL
LANDS

UNCLE SAM COMPANY
and STANDARD Fight
Washington, D. c., Jan. 1S.-Charg-
es that Secretary Fisher attempted
to coerce the Usage Indians into
leasing valuable oil fields to the Stand
ard Oil company, and a counter
charge by the secretary that the
Uncle Sam Oil company attempted to
acquire the fields under circumstan-
ces which were threatening were pro-
ceedings by Attorney General Wick
ersham, were aired today before the
house committee on Indian affairs.
Meanwhile, seven Osages, men,
bers of the tribal council who were
removed on January 3, by Secretary
Fisher, because he said it was found
they had been "unduly influencedp in
making a lease to the Uncle Sam
company, went to the district supreme
court and got mandamus calling on
the secretary to show cause next
Tuesday why they should not be re-
instated.
Certain leases to the Uncle Sam
company have been thrown out Dy
the secretary and bill is now pend
ing in the house to compel the secre-
tary to validate them.
Albert Wilson, representing the I'm
Gle Sam Oil company, in a brief de-
ciared that the standard Oil COM
pany is endeavoring to block the ef-
forts of the Uncle Sam company to
secure this lease because the Uncle
Sam company could then become
competitor of the Standard Oil COM
pany subsidiaries in the field"
But the Uncle Sam company" he
continued, "has been harassed by ev-
cry device known to the oil trust and
has met with the constant, persistent
unreasonable, and nwarranted oppo.
sition of the interior department.
"The secretary of the interior for
the purpose of intimidating and coer-
cling the Usage Indians into electing
a new council which will obey his in
structions, has published and caused
to be published statements intimat-
ing that many of the Indians would
be arrested or indicted upon some
charge because they were in favor OF
the leases to the Uncle Sam.
"The stockholders of the Uncle
Sam Oil company have fought long
hard fight against the Vaccinations
of the oil trust. The oil trust has had
the advantage of having the assist
ance of a former president, cabinet
officers, the postoffice department, the
interior department, some federal
judges, federal district attorney and
many other lesser federal officers but
they have fought the fight to estab-
lish their company as genuine, in
dependent oil company, and actual
bonafde competitor Of the oil trust. y
Secretary Fisher replied to the
charges. He said:
Il regard an attack from the Uncle
Sam Oil company as a badge OF
honor" declared the secretary. ut is
conclusive recognition of the fact that
/ have effectively checked the at
tempt of this concern to acquire an inn
mense oil field belonging to the Usage
Indians under circumstances which
have been investigated by special
agent Of the Indian Office. AS re-
suit. of this report removed the en-
tire tribal council aaa-referred the re-
port to the attorney general. who will
take appropriate action just as soon
as he can decide what the steps
should be made.
"The Uncle Sam Oil company, hay-
ing been turned down all along the
line from the superintendent of the
Usage agency through the commits
sioner of Indian affairs, the assistant
secretary of the interior. myself and
President Taft are now resorting to
extreme measures to try to bring
about their purpose Of getting the Oil
land by fair means or foul. Their evi.
dent purpose in coming here now and
presenting this petition to congress is
to influence the election of a new
tribal council which has been ordered
for. next Wednesday, January o."
As to the charge that he had been
aiding the Standard Oil company in {,
trying to secure for that corporation
Usage oil land leases, Secretary
Fisher declared the reverse was the
case. All pipe lines he said, had been
prohibited from bidding in the COM
petition for these lands. Furthermore,
the regulations provided, that no com !
pany or person could obtain more
than $4,000 acres, whereas the Uncle /
Sam Oil company wanted 100000
acres and three indidivuals supposed
to be affiliated he said. with the com
rany, had each applied for like |
amount.
SUBMARINE SINKS. !