Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-02-24
Substitute for LaFollette
Resolution Has Been
Adopted.
SEVERAL ARE SORE
And Say They Will De-
mand Reconsideration
Of Substitute.
(By JOHN w. FLENNER)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Until the
senate Indian committee quits playing
horse with the Usage oil and gas
releasing question, ii is problematical
what may be the final outcome FOR
the fourth time in as many weeks, the
committee today reconsidered the La
Toilette resolution ordered reported
TO the senate last Saturday and voted
to report out substitute offersd b.
Senator owen requesting Secretary
Lane, pending investigation by the
senate Indian committee, to refrain
for a period OF two years, or until fur
ther action by congress, from making
any disposition by lease or sale OF
quarter section units of land in the
Usage nation as have been developed
by oil operators, either under leases or
subleases and are now producing oil
except such units as are now held by
lessees who have accepted the terms
of the Usage counci! resolution OF
June II last for leases to be made di-
rect to them.
The substitute resolution further
provides that said developed oil lands
thus withheld from lease, after eXpira
ton of the existing Foster blanket
lease, may continue to be operated by
the present oil operators who are now
in possession of and operating the
same at royalty of not less than one
sixth on all leases of quarter section
units when the average production IS
less than twenty-five barrels per well
ier day and a royalty OF not less than
onc-fifth on all such leases producing
in excess of twenty-five barrels daily
all royalties to be paid into the United
States treasury to the credit of the
Usage Indians.
The resolution provides for the APP
pointment of a subcommittee of five
members of the senate Indian COM
mttee to conduct thorough investi-
cation into the subject of leasing
Usage oil lands and the methods of
controlling and marketing the oil pro-
duction and all affairs connected
Herewith, and to report back to con
gress.
Following the committees action In
reconsiderng the LaFollette resolu-
ton and the adoption of the owen
substitute by resorting to the voting
of proxies, there was blood in the
eyes of several senators who had not
been present when the vote was taker
and who threaten to move the recon
sidration of the owen substitute
Thursday morning.
1t is understood that Senator La
Toilette. who is out of the city, had
requested that no further action rela-
tive to the Usage releasing question
he taken during his absence. The
Wisconsin senator's wishes were en-
trely ignored and an explosion in the
committee is now looked for upon his
return.
Vote to 3
Another member of the committee
stated tonight that the action taker
this morning was illegal owing to the
fact that there is rule against vot-
ing proxies. The vote on the over
substitute was to 3 in favor of 1t
Senator owen held the proxies ol
Senators Meyers and Lewis. who sell
dom, if ever, attend the meetings OF
the committee. while Senator Curtis
held the proxy of Senator Fall.
Those voting in favor of the over
resolution were Senators Owens Curis
Pittman. Lewis. Meyers, Fall and
Page and those in opposition, Sena-
tors Walsh, Ashurst and Gronna.
Senators Lane, Husting, LaFollette
Johnson and Clapp were not present
when vote was taken and 1t is under
stood they will insist upon the com.
mittee again reconsidering its action