The Washington herald., 1913-01-19
OIL COMP ANY
ATTACKS fisher
Secretary Of Interior Involved
in Controversy Over Leas-
ing Oil Lands by Indians.
CASE REACHES COURT
Charge Made that Unfair Advantage
Is Being Taken of Tribes
by Lessees.

Walter L. Fisher, who has the reputa-
ton among Col. Roosevelt's followers of
being a real Progressive, finds himself
confronted with the charge that he has
used his Official power in the interest of
the Standard Oil Company. Secretary
Fisher. on the other hand, contends that
he has laid facts before the Attorney
General in regard to the Uncle Sam Oil
Company. which may result in proceed
ings by the Attorney General against
that concern. Secretary Fisher contends
that the Uncle Sam Company is respon-
sible for the charges against him and
that coming from this source he regards
them as "a badge of honor"
The controversy between the head of
the Interior Department and the oil COM
pany involves the attempted leasing of
eli lands owned by the Usage Indians.
Seven members of the tribal council OF
the Osages who were removed by Sec
Uary Fisher a couple of weeks ago be-
cause nc charged they had ben unduly
influenced in making a lease to the Uncle
Sam Company. are In Washington and
are actively concerned in the present
row. They contributed their share by
going to the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict of Columbia yesterday morning and
swearing out a writ of mandamus calling
Tuesday whey they should not be re-
instated as members of the Usage coun-
Gil.
Says Lenses Are Unfair.
The trouble began a few weeks ago
when Secretary Fisher threw out certain
leases which the Usage Council had made
with the Uncle Sam Oil Company. Secre-
tary Fisher contended that these leases
contained terms that were unfair to the
Indians. Since then a bill has been in
troduced in the House to compel the
Secretary to validate these leases.
Albert l.. Wilson. counsel for the oil
company. and T J. Leahy, attorney for
the Usage Indians. who have been de-
posed, yesterday appeared before the
House Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr.
Wilson charges that the Standard OIL
Company is endeavoring to block the
efforts OF the Uncle Sam Company to
secure the lease because the latter COM
pany would then become a competitor
of the Standard Oil subsidiaries in the
field. The Tncle Sam Company, he add
ed. has been harassed by every device
known to the Oil Trust, and has met
with the constant. persistent, unreason-
able. and unwarTanted opposition of the
Interior Department. The Secretary of
the Interior, for the purpose of intimi-
dating and coercing the Usage Indians
into electing a new council which will
obey his instructions, has. Wilson
charges. published and caused to be pub
lished statements intimating that many
OF the Indians should be arrested or in
dicted upon some charge because they
were in favor of the leases to the Uncle
Sam Company.
Mr.. Wilson said that the Standard Oil
Trust has had the advantage of having
the assistance Of a former President
Cabinet officers. the Post-of7ce Depart
ment, the Interior Department, some
Federal judges. a Federal district at
torney, and many other lesser officials.
"Is Badge of Honor"
In a statement issued at the time of
the removal of the Indian councilmen.
Secretary Fisher declared that the
Osages were entitled to have one-sixth
of the oil and gas found on their lands
and a royalty. The terms of the proposed
lease provided for a royalty of only one
eighth. Secretary Fisher also objected
to a provision which gave the Uncle Sam
Company 100000 acres. He was of the
opinion that no one concern should have
the oil and gas rights on such a large
area
Il regard the attack from the Uncle
Sam Company as a badge of honor"
said Secretary Fisher. 1t is conclusive
recognition of the fact that 1 have ef-
fectively checked the attempt of this
concern to acquire an immense oil field
belonging to the Usage Indians under
circumstances which have been investi-
gated by a special agent of the Indian
Office"
Secretary Fisher denied that he had
been aiding the Standard Oil Company.
The reverse, he said. was the case, in
asmuch as all pipe lines had been pro-
hibited from bidding in competition for
these lands.
1t was brought out before the House
committee that Secretary Fisher has
called an election of chiefs and coun-
cilmen of the Usage tribe for January
% and he was accused of having used
his influence to prevent the reelection
of those who have favored the Uncle
Sam Company.