The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-19
Charges Filed Against
Secretary of Interior
Fisher.
ALLEGED TO FAVOR
STANDARD TRUST
1t Is Said That He Has Sought
TO Coerce Usage Indians Into
Leasing Their Lands to Octo-
pus-He Makes Serious
Counter-Accusa-
tons.

Washington, January is.-Charees
that Secretary Fisher had attempted
to coerce he Usage Indians into leasing
valuable oil fields 70 the Standard Oil
Company, and a counter-charge by the
secretary that the Uncle Sam Oil Com
pany had attempted TO acquire the
Aelds under circumstances which were
threatening proceedings by Attorney
General Wickersham. were aired to-
day before the House Committee on
Indian Affairs.
Meanwhile, seven Osages. member
OF the tribal council. who were re-
moved on January by Secretary Fish
er. because he said IT had been found
that they had been "unduly Influenced"
in making q lease to the Uncle Sam
Company, went 10 the District Su-
prerne Court and got out a rnandamus,
calling on the secretary to show cause
next Tuesday why they should not be
reinstated. Certain leases to the Uncle
Sam Company have been thrown out
by the secretary. and a bill Is now pend
ing in the House 70 compel the secre
tary 20 validate them
Accuse STANDARD.
Albert L. Wilson. representing the
Uncle Sam Oil Company in a brief. de-
cIared that the STANDARD Oil Com
pany is endeavoring TO block the efforts
this lease because the Uncle Sam Com
pany could then become a competi-
tor OF the Standard Oil Company sub
sidiaries in the feld.
But the Uncle Sam Company"
he continued, has been harassed by
every device known to the oil world,
and has met with the constant. per-
sistent, unreasonable and unwarranted
opposition of the Interior Department.
The Secretary of the Interior. for
the purpose of intimidating and CO.
erclng the Usage Indians into electing
a rev council which will obey his in
structions has published and caused
20 be published statements lntimatins
that many OF the Indians would be
arrested or indicted upon some charge
because they were in favor of the leases
10 the Uncle Sam oil Company.
The stockholders of the Uncle Sam
Oil Company have fought a long. hard
fight against the Vaccinations of the
oil trust. The oil trust has had the
advantage OF having the assistance OF
a former President. Cabinet officers,
the Post Office Department.. the In
terror Department, some Federal
Judges. a Federal district attorney
and many other lesser Federal officials,
but they have fought the fight to es-
tablish their company as genuine.
independent oil company and actual
bona-fde competitor of the oil trust
Fishers Statement.
Secretary Fisher replied to the
charges. He said;
The negotiations for the so-called
lease have been reported to the De-
artment of Justice. and an investi-
CATION is being made by the Attor-
neyGeneral-
The secretary added that the Uncle
Sam leases would work a grave injus-
age promoters TO exploit the lands
of the Indians, and that a majority
of the Osages were opposed to the
granting of the leases to the Uncle
Sam Company.
4 regard an attack from the Uncle
Sam Company as badge of honor,
declared the secretary 1t is con-
elusive recognition of the fact that
l have effectively checked the attempt
OF this concern to acquire an immense
oil field belonging to the Usage In
dians. under circumstances which have
been investigated by special agent
of the Indian Office AS result of
this report | removed the entire tribal
council and referred the report to the
Attorney General, who will take UP
action Just as soon as he can decide
what the action should be-
The Uncle Sam Oil Company. hav-
ing been turned down all along the line
from the superintendent Of the Usage
agency through the Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs. the Assistant Secretary
OF the Interior. myself and President
myself arc now resorting TO extreme
measures TO try to bring about a defeat
Of their purpose of getting the oil lands
BIZ fair means or foul Their evident
pyrpose in coming here now and pre-
senting this petition 70 Congress is TO
Influence the election of a new tribal
council which has been ordered for next
Wednesday. January p
Says Reverse Is True.
As to the charge that ne had been
aiding the Standard Oil Company in
irving to secure for that corporation
Usage oil land leases. Secretary Fisher
declared that the reverse was the case
All pipe lines. he said. had been pro-
hibitcd from bidding IN the csmpeti-
ton for these lands Furthermore
the regulations provided that no com
pany or person could obtain more than
. 90 acres. whereas the Uncle sam OIL
Company wanted 70 90 acres and three
indfvid Iais supposed 20 be affiliated.
he said with the company had each
aDpHrd FOR a like amount.