Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-01-18
ACCUSES HIM OF UNFAIRNESS
DECLARES HE HAS USED HIS Po-
sITfoN TO HARAss INDEPEND-
ENT ORGANIZATION
HE COMES BACK STRONG
DECLARES CORPORATION HAS
BEEN ENGAGED IN AN EFFORT
TO STEAL TRACTS

Washington, Jan. 49,. Charges that
Secretary Fisher attempted to coerce
the Usage Indians into leasing valu-
able oil fields to the Standard Oil
company and counter-charge by the
secretary that the Uncle Sam Oil
company attempted to acquire the
fields under circumstances which were
threatening proceedings by Attor-
ney General Wickersham, were aired
today before the house committee on
Indian affairs.
Meanwhile, seven Osages, members
of the tribal council, who were remov-
ed on January 8, by Secretary Fisher,
because, he said, it was found they
had been 'unduly influenced" in max
inga lease to the Uncle Sam company
went to the district supreme court
and got a mandamus calling on the
secretary to show cause next TUESDAY
why they should not be reinstated. Ger
tain leases to the Uncle Sam company
have been thrown out by the secre
tary and bilSis now pending in the
.heass to eoafel tie secretary 70 vail,
date them. ~
Albert Wilson, representing the Un
Gle Sam company, in a brief, declared
that the STANDARD Oil company is~en-
deavoring to block the efforts Of the
Uncle Sam company to secure this
lease because the Uncle Sam company
could then become competitor OF
the Standard Oil company 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,
and unwarranted opposi-
ton of the interior department.
The secretary of the interior, for
the purpose Of intimidating and coerc-
ing the Usage Indians into electing
new council which will obey his
instructions, has published and caus-
ed to be published statements init.
mating that many Of the Indians
would be arrested or indicted upon
some charge because they we're 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 tho adytange of having the as
sistance of a former president, cabinet
officers, the postoffice department the
interior department some federal judg-
es, a federal districtu attorney and
many other lesser federal officers, but
they have fought the fight to estab-
lish the company as a genuine, in de-
pendent oil company and actual bona
fide competitor Of the oil trust
Secretary Fisher replied to the
charges. He said:
q regard an attack from the Uncle
sam oil company as badge Of hon
or. It is conclusive recognition of
the fact that I have effectively check
ed the attempt Of this concern TO ac-
auire an immense oil field belonging
to the Usage Indians under circum-
stances which have been Investigated
by a special agent for the Indian Of
fee. AS result Of this report
removed the entire tribal council and
referred the report TO the attorney
general. who win take appropriate ac-
ton just as soon as he can decide
what the action should be,
eThe Uncle Sam OH company hay-
lng been turned down all along the
line from the superintendent Of the
Usage agency through The commission.
er 81 ladlan affairs, the assistant see
feiary Of she interior ana myself and
rraHdens qaie u new reHpFilug %
es4eme measures n nv 70 bnpe
about rs pngppse ~ eelllng lhe ell