South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-09-26
Gets CLAD HAND
FOR STIRRING UP
OIL LAND CRABS
BY gibson GARDNER.

WASHINGTON Sept 26.-Repre-
sentativs Thompson Of Illinois. the
man who stirred up the Southern
Pacifc-California oil land grab with
his resolution a day or 50 ago. is re-
ceiving kilograms and letters from all
parts OF the country commencing his
action. Some Of them throw cousid-
cradle additional light on this de-
layed government suit wire from
ID. J. Huxley Of Los Angeles. Califor-
ma adds a new feature 20 the case.
Huxley is one Of the prominent at
torneys for a group OF mineral claim
ants who filed on the land which is
being Illegally held by the Southern
Pacific. These claimants on the ad-
vice Of Huxley. refused 10 join with
the Burke group Of claimants in their
suit The Burke suit. in which, by
direction Of Assistant Attorney-Gen-
eral Knaebol. the government joined
took the weakest possible legal po-
sitiOn. Contending that patent had
passed 70 the Southern Pacific, instead
OF contending that the excluding
clause prevented the passage of title
Hinkley is cooperating with Butler
the man who dug up the case orig
1nally. refused TO aid in prejudicing
the governments case by Joining in
the Burke suit. Here is what ne has
10 say about il, IN a wire just re-
served Oy keN. thompson.
Hon. Charles NJ Thompson. House
% Representatives. Washington, D.
C.-TOwnsend's statement I'm press
that Southern Pacific is accounting to
government for oil taken from Cali
fornie lands absolutely false. Assist
ant Attorney Knaebel is now
seeking 10 get TO supreme court by
backdOOr methods. Admissions in
Burke case favor railroad company
and against mining claimants and
government About fifty Southern
Pacific drilling rigs running continu-
ously on lands from which it takes
millions in oil Governments four
years delay absolutely inexcusable
and greatly advantageous TO railroad
company Butler only man in depart
ment OF justice who did effective work.
dismissed May 31st last at KnaebeIs
request without cause OF hearing when
railroad learned he was preparing TO
apply for injunction and receiver and
was ready to institute additional suits
TO protect governments interests and
absolutely nothing done by depart
ment OF Justice since. Evidence ex-
lists that department officers seek to
establish title in railroad. The whole
affair is crooked an6 should be
thoroughly investigated by congress
Immediately. 1t is rotten.
(Signed) d. J. HinkIey.
Mr.. Thompson IS investigating the
record Of Assistant Attorney General
Knaebel. who is a Guggenheim ap-
pointee held over from the Taft adj
ministration. with a view TO taking
further action in the case.
Representative Crosser OF Ohio is
busy doing missionary work on mem
hers Of the house committee on the
District Of Columbia, trying to Sc
cure action on his resolution calling
for municipal ownership of street rail- |
ways in Washington. CrOSSer is try
ing 20 secure e hearing on his bill, and |
Representative Ben Johnson. chair |
man or the committee, is inclined TO /
grant such a hearing. Mr.. Crosser !
also wants the committee to employ |
the services of an expert in street rail- !
way valuation 10 check up on the wa
tered capitalization of the local street
railway companies with view to put
ting the real facts in the hands OF
the committee.
The Office Of Representative ]. W.
Bryan OF Washington looks like the
sorting room Of big post office. His
mail is loaded with hundreds Of re-
quests for his recent speech on the
POindeXter-Bryan bill for government
operated coal mines. railroads and
steamship lines in Alaska. Bryan is
now at his home in Seattle, but his
faithful secretary is on the job. and
in a week or so the mails will carry
out hundreds of copies of this speech
to those who have requested it.
Vice President and Mrs Marshall
have given up as a hopeless job their
search for a moderate priced house
in Washington There is no such
thing as a moderate rental price in
Washington for any kind Of a house.