The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-01-18
SERIOUS
CHARGES
ARE MADE
indian Council Removed by
Fisher Appeal
File Memorial With House
lndian Affair Committee
Uncle Sam Oil Co. Backs the
Indians in Fight

Washington, Jan. 1s.-seyen deposed
members Of the Usage Indian council,
recently removed by Secretary Fisher
because the secretary charged Ii had
been shown that undue influence had
been used among the Indians to pre-
vent the contamination of valuable oil
land leases, have filed a memorial with
the house Indian affairs committee.
charging that the secretary's action
was taken TO "coerce the Indians into
executing the kind and character OF oil
and gas leases he desires and to the
person he desires"
When the secretary removed the
councillors he declared the most adyan-
tageeus bid for the oil lands the tribe
had ever received had been rejected by
the council In favor OF less favorable
one and when the interior department
interposed IL was found one oil COM
pany had influenced the council from
executing another lease.
The charges that Secretary Fisher
attempted. to coerce the Usage Indians
into leasing lands to the Standard Oil
Co. was followed by the counter charge
by the secretary that the Uncle Sam
oil Co, attempted 10 acquire the fields
under circumstances which were
threatened with proceedings by the at
torney general.
Meantime, seven Osages, members Of
on Jan. 3, by Secretary Fisher, because
he said IL was found they had been
..Unduiy influenced" by the Uncle Sam
Co, went to the district supreme court
and got out mandamtIs calling ON fac
secretary TO show cause next Tuesday
why they should not be relnstated.
Certain leases TO the Uncle Sam Co.
have been thrown out by the secretary
and bin Is now pending in the house
TO compel the secretary TO validate
them.
Albert wilson, representing the
Uncle Sam Co, in q brief, declared
the STANDARD Oil Co. is endeavoring
to block the efforts of the Uncle Sam
Co. to secure this lease because the
Uncle sam Co. could then become
competitor of the Standard OIL subsid-
iaries in the field.
"But the Uncle Sam Co. be contin-
ued, has been harassed by every de-
vice known to the oil trust and has met
with the constant, persistent and un-
reasonable opposition Of the interior
department.
'The secretary Of the interior, for the
purpose OF intimidating and coercing
the Usage Indians into electing a new
council which will obey his instruc-
tions: has published statements inti-
mating that many of the Indians would
be arrested or indicted upon some
charge because they were in favor or
the leases of the Uncle Sam oil Co.
THE Uncle Sam Co. fought hard
against the machinations Of the oil
trust. The oil trust has had the ad-
vantage OF having the assistance or q
former president, cabinet officers, the
postoffice department, the interior de-
partment, some federal officers. but the
Uncle Sam Co. has fought hard to es
tablish their company as the genuine
Independent oil company and an actual
bonaflde competitor of the trust"
Secretary Fisher replied TO the
charges saying THE negotiations for
the so-cailed leases have been
reported to the department OF
justice and an investigation is being
made by the attorney general
Fisher added that the Uncle sam
leases would work grave injustices to
the Osages and would encourage pre-
moters to exploit the lands OF the fn-
dams and that the majority Of the
Osages were opposed to the granting
OF the leases to the Uncle Sam Co.
Il regard the attack from the Uncle
Sam Co. as badge Of honor" declar-
ed FISHER. He declared 1t showed he
had checked the company from secur-
ing oil lands from the indians.