The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-01-19
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-Charges that
Secretary Fisher attempted to coerce
the Osage Indians into leasing valu-
able oil fields to the Standard OIL Com
pany and a counter charge by the Sec
retary that the Uncle Sam Oil Com
pany attempted to acquire the fields
under circumstances which were
threatening proceedings by Attorney
General Wickershan, were aired today
before the house committee on Indian
affairs.
Meanwhile seven Osages, members of
the tribal counsel who were removed
on January by Secretary Fisher be-
cause, he said, It was found they had
been unduly infuenced'' in making a
lease to the Uncle Sam Company, went
TO the district supreme court and got
out 3 mandamus calling on the seTe-
tary to show cause next Tuesday why
they should not be reinstated.
LEASES NOT ALLOWED.
Certain leases to che Uncle Sam
Company have been thrown out by the
secretary and bill Is now pending In
the house to compel the secretary to
validate them. Albert Wilson, repre-
senting the Uncle Sam Oil Company,
IN brief, declared that the Standard
oil Company Is endeavoring to block
the efforts Of the Uncle Sam Conn
pany to secure this lease because the
Uncle Sam Company could then be-
come q competitor Of the Standard Oil
Company subsidiaries IN the field
But the Uncle Sam Company" he
continued, has been harassed by every
device known to the oil trust, and has
met with the constant, persistent, un-
reasonable and unwarranted opposition
l of the interior department
"The secretary of the interior. for
the purpose OF intiInidating and coerc-
ing the Usage Indians Into electing a
new council which will obey his in
] structions. has published and caused to
be published statements intimating
that many Of the Indians would be ar
rested or indicted upon some charge
because they are in favor of the leases
to the Uncle Sam Oil Company.
THE stockholders Of the Uncle Sam
Oil Company have fought long, hard
6Eht against the Vaccinations of the
oil trust. The oil trust has had the
advantage of having the assistance of
q former president, cabinet officers, the
postofice department, the interior de-
partment, some federal judges, fed
eral district attorney and many other
lesser federal officials, but they have
fought the fight TO establish their COM
pany as a genuine, Independent oil
company and actual bona f1de COM
petitor Of the oil trust"
FISHER MAKES REPLY.
Secretary Fisher replied to the
charges. He said:
AThe negotiations for the so-called
leases have been reported to the de-
partment Of justice and an investiga-
ton is being made by the attorney
general"
The secretary added that the Uncle
Sam leases would work a grave in
Justice to the Osages, encourage pro-
moters to exploit their lands, and that
q majority Of the Osages were opposed
y granting leases to the Uncle Sam
Company.
'I regard an attack from the Uncle
Sam OIL Company as a badge of honor
declared the secretary 1T is con-
elusive recognition of the fact that
have effectively checked the attempt
of this concern to acquire an immense
oil field under circumstances which
have been investigated by q special
agent OF the Indian ONCE. AS a result
of this report removed the entire tribal
council and referred the report to the
attorney general, who will decide what
action should be taken
sThe Uncle Sam oil Company, hav-
ing been turned down all along the
line from the superintendent of the
feo,4I,,,eI, an p.ee EIoh4.1