The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-07
TRIBE IS UPSET
Graft Is Charged Against
Chiefs by Secretary Fisher.
Oil Land Leases Cause of Three
Cornered Fight.

Coffeyville, Kan, Jan. THE con-
troversy between the tribal council of
the Usage Indian tribe and the Uncle
Sam Oil company of Cherryvale, on one
side and the Department of Interior
and other oil men on the other side,
eliminated in the removal of seven
members of the tribal council by Secre-
tary of the Interior Fisher. who al
IegeS in statement that the council
was unduly influenced by the Uncle
Sam people, represented by H. H.
Tucker, of Cherryvale, and three indi-
Vidual applicants who attempted 20 Sc
cure the lease of 100000 acres of oil
and gas land comprising the entire I'M
leased portion of the Usage reservation.
The secretary ordered a new council
elected the latter part of this month.
The 100000 acres We're leased to the
Uncle Sam people and three others last
spring and objections at once made by
the Interior department. The Uncle
Sam company bought page advertise
ments in city newspapers declaring that
the Standard Oil company was back of
the attempt to deprive them of their
leases. The war has waged merrily
ever since. Tucker secured the leases
by camping with the Indians in council
last spring.
Indians Declined to Quit.
The Indian council, three of whose
members were ordered out some time
ago, refused to obey Secretary Fish
er's order in regard to filling the va
cancies and this was another cause
which led to the action by the secre-
tary.
The recent bid for $4,000 acres of
Usage oil lands, said to have been the
most favorable bid ever made for lease
of Indian lands. was turned down by
the tribal council and the powerful in
f1uence of the previous applicants is
alleged, by the secretary to have been
responsible notwithstanding the fact
that the council was requested in
petition signed by more adult members
of the Usage tribe than voted for the
council when it was elected to grant
this favorable lease, it refused to exc
cute the lease.
1t would have given the Indians for
their oil land rights a royalty % per
cent higher than any previously paid
and in addition a cash bonus of $14O,-
000 Recent investigation of affairs at
the Usage Indian agency, says the
secretary, revealed evidence of con-
spiracy on the part of applicants for
oil leases which shows that the mem
bers of this conspiracy have exerted
undue influence over members of the
council.
1t was learned, he adds. that inter-
ests in some of the four leases had
been given to members of the Usage
tribe intermarried citizens of the tribe,
attorneys and others. The report shows
that the council was under domination
of the influences surrounding its mem
bers and that the action to be taken
at council meetings and the resolutions
to be passed by it with reference to
other leases were fixed in advance at
meetings in Pawhuska of person. hav-
ing secret interests in some of the four
leases. Last June the secretary de-
clined to approve the leases of the
Uncle Sam Oil company and the three
individuals who were seeking the $780,
O00
Bacon Rind and Henry Red Eagle,
principal and assistant chief of the
Usage tribe. who were declared removed
from office some time ago by Secretary
Fisher, claim he has no authority for
such action in their cases.