Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-29
(By JOHN w. FLENNERD


WASHINGTON, March 2S.--Rcd
tape and long distance government
such as for years has caused innum-
cradle and costly delays in the ad-
ministration of Indian affairs in east
ern oklahoma to the detriment of
both Indian and white citizens and
the uphuilding of the state itself,
lromlses soon to become a thing of
the past
Ry a vote of II to | the House In
dian committee last Saturday ordered
a favorable report upon the hill in
troduced 10y Congressman w. w.
Hastings of Tahlcquah, which seeks to
transfer from interior department Of
ficials IN Washington to the superin-
tcndcnt of the Five Civilized Tribes
at Muskoree the authority to pass
finally upon all matters affecting the
individual welfare of the members of
the Cherokee. Creek. ChoctaW, Chick
asaw and Seminole Indian tribes. AS
forward step in the ultimate solu-
ton of the Indian question. the pas
sage of the Hastings bill will ac-
complish more for eastern oklahoma
than any other legislation which could
possibly be enacted by congr ess.
Sells To Fight II.
Indian Commissioner Sells and 9TH
er department officials who are op-
posed to the REIMBURSEMENT of any
Cf the powers now possessed by them
in dealing with eastern oklahoma In
dians, intimate that the Hastings bill.
If enacted into law might, in some in
stances be conducive to grating help
less restricted Indians. but while so
intimating, the Indian office itself.
through Assistant Commissioner T..
Il. Merritt, was compelled to admit,
a sttntr l,N h.aa lA
bill before the house Indian commit
tee, that 95 per cent of the oklahoma
business now transacted by Washing
ton having to do with the individual
Indian matters, such as the approval
Of oil leases the removal of rcstric-
tions. etc, is at present but the mer-
est routine entrusted to $1.So0 clerks
in the Indian office here, while the
authority contemplated by The Hast
ings bill is transferred from the COM
missioner of Indian affairs, $4,000
man, to the superintendent Of the
Five Civilized Tribes. another $4,000
man, named ny the same authority
and confirmed by the same source as
the Indian commissioner himself. AS
a matter OF fact. the present superin-
tendcnt to the Five Civilized Tribes
the Hon. Gabe r.. Parker. former reg
lister of the treasury, himeslf an In
dian Of high intelligence, honesty and
capabilities is undoubtedly better fit
ted to pass upon matters affecting the
individual welfare Of his own people
than is the gentleman from Texas.
the present commissioner Of Indian
affairs who. up until three years ago.
had never seen an Indian outside of
a Wild West show. But for the sake
of argument, admitting that Commits
sioncr Sells and Superintendent Par
ker are equally fitted to fill the po-
sitions they now occupy. surely tho
Indian commissioner can advance no
reasons why Mr.. Parker is untitled
for the responsibilities such as the
Hastings bill would create for Mr..
Parker's was hand-picked appoint
ment made by the Indian commission
er without ever having consl tied the
members of the oklahoma congress
sional delegation as to the wisdom of
such appointment
All To support II.
While there was but one dissenting
vote in the Indian committee against
favorably reporting the Hastings bill
even he has indicated that he will
support the measure when II reaches
the floor Of the house,
In Difference to Secretary Of the
Interior Lane. the committee. while
ordering a favorable report on the
Hastings bill. decided to not press the
measure until subcommittee. headed
10y Chairman John H stephens OF
Texas, could be afforded an oppor-
tunity to discuss the bill with the Sec
rotary. although several members Of
the committee. and not Oklahoma
either. insisted that an attempt be
made TO pass The bill in spite Of an
unfavorablo report against 1t made
by Commissioner Sells Other men,
bors Of the committee. however. urged |
that Secretary Lane be consulted with |
a view to having the objections OF |
the department overcome.
Sells Was Surprised
After favorable report on the