The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-06-17
McMurray's Deal with Indians viii
Not Be Recognized BY Congress
Lame Would Settle
Land Disputes
PROBE OF INDIAN
AFFAIRS PROPOSED
More Money for Enforcing Liquor
Law Carter After POstmasIcrs'
Scalps--TutiIe TOwnsite Still
Presents a Problem
lsy Q. h. kuhn.l

(5y o. n. Kuhn.)
Washington, June 17.-Congressmen
are slow to unite in any one conclusion
on a given proposition, but it has been
pretty definitely decided that the con-
tracts Of j. F. McMurray Of McAlester.
with individual members Of the Five
Civilized tribes, should never be rel
cognized; and that they represent
nothing more or less than huge grab.
in which McMurray officials Of sew
eral Indian organizations, and close
friends would share.
A few days ago, when the senate
Indian affairs committee inserted an
amendment in the general Indian ap-
preparation bill designed to "squelch"
the contracts, McMurray agreed to
surrender his claims on any part Of
the tribal estate when final settlement
is made. reserving right to collect on
the so-called leased district, he injured
his cause more than 1t helped it, It is
declared, inasMuch as he by 50 doing
admitted his contracts would not hold
water in case OF a test
Since Pat }. Hurley, national attoT-
ney for the Choctaws appeared before
the Indian affairs committee and care
fully explained the exact purpoFt Of
the contracts, senators have been loud
in their condemnation Of McMurray.
who was attacked BY Senator Ashurst
as being able to carry a bundle Of cells
upstairs without dropping a one They
will declare that the Indian and his
interests shall be protected to the
last.
Favors Settling Suits.
Secretary Lane Of the department Of
interior has gone on record as fayoring
the early settlement Of the thousands
Of land suits now pending and affect
ing the eastern section Of Oklahoma
In letters which he has written to
Senator Stone, chairman Of the Indian
affairs committee, he says:
Undoubtedly this matter is OF grave
Importance to the large Iand-owning
Indian population Of eastern oklaho-
ma as well as the general citizenship
Of the state and something should
speedily be done to terminate this liti-
cation, if at the same time adequate
protection can be given to the Indians.
q understand that there are 10000
Of these suits aud additional legisla-
ton is imperative TO preserve to the
Indians the rights which would have
been theirs had the agreement and
laws OF congress been strictly com
piled with by these defendants"
Gore on COMMITTEES.
Through his position on the inter
state commerce committee. Senator
Gore viii be in better position to aid
the southwest and Oklahoma particu
: larly in the settlement OF complex rate
: problems which have been so trouble
some in recent years. Senator Gore
was appointed to the committee upon
the resignation of Senator Thomas aus
now is a member Of three Of the. mos
I powerful committees Of the uppei
5 house. agriculture, finance and inter
r state commerce, being chairman Of tn
a former Senator Gore is considerel
b one OF the experts on rate problems Il
!. the senate.
u To Probe Indian Affairs.
e A joint congressional investigation
j. Of the administration Of Indian affair
J. in all sections Of the United States
i provided in the general Indian appFl
q priation bill aow pending. The CON
mission as planned win consist ol ii
IT members, three from the senate an
y three from the house and $4,000 prot
J. ably will be set aside for the expense
OF the body II Is expected that j
least one member Of congress iroi
Oklahoma, possibly two, viii De men
). bers Of the investigating body
TO That Uncle Sam intends 70 fuuh'
< safeguard his Indian wards from I'll
4 evils Of Alcoholism. Is demonstrate
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