Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-30
Usage Coup Now a
National Scandal
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE


for millions OF dollars in cash by
giving their valuable oil lands, in
many instances without the payment
of single solitary penny for prop
rites which in some instances are
said to he worth at least S2,OOO,OOo
but which the department would
turn over as a gift at the expense of
the wards of the government.
Scandal Grows.
Slowly but surely national scan
dal Is growing out of the Usage con-
troversy and even eastern news
papers are getting onto the fact that
where there is so much smoke there
must be some fire. 1t has been
long drawn-out story, coming out
piecemeal but none the less surely
and it is now practically conceded
by everyone acquainted with the
facts and the public records in the
case that the Osagcs. either through
incompetency or otherwise, nave
been getting the worst end of deal
involving as it does probably the
most valuable developed and unde-
vcloped body of oil and gas lands in
the United States
The head of the Indian bureau was
warned early last summer that the
Usage releasing question was loaded
with dynamite. This warning was
sounded at largely attended meet
ing of oil men with Indian Commis-
sioner Sells at the Indian office and
since then department officials have
discovered for themselves that
fight for the possession of oil lands
in this day and age is not exactly
pink tea arrangement
Keep Transaction Secret.
Every attempt was made by the In
of "a
started last summer with the Usage
council relative TO the releasing OF
6S0.0 acres OF oil and gas lands
then covered by the Foster blanket
lease. to keep the negotiations secret.
Why? Although already under oath
to serve the best interests of the peo-
pie, the members of the Usage coun-
ell were compelled to subscribe to
secret oath not to diVulge anything
that transpired at their meetings with
department officials.
Denied the services of an attorney,
they were herded like sheep and
placed under guard at the Indian Of
flee and not even permitted to coun-
sci with other members of the tribe
at home or in Washington. After
wrangling for some days set of de-
partment-made resolutions were
flashed on the bewildered full-blood
very limited knowledge of the English
language were given. it is alleged one
hour in which to sign the papers.
Before their thumb marks had dried
on the resolutions they were hustled
over to the office of the secretary of
the interior and from there to the
White House to meet the president,
packed on a train and sent back to
Oklahoma with the instructions TO
keep their mouths shut.
IIigh-handcd Deal
To say the least, it was a most
high handed procedure, but the In
dians were so taken by surprise and
the thing had been done so quickly
that 1t was some days before the
members Of the council could catch
their breath. 1t is said they were
told that it would be useless to insist
upon their oil and gas properties be-
ing sold by sealed bids to the highest
bidders, as in that case the sub
lessees, with powerful influences be-
hind them, would carry their fight to
congress and that the Osages would |
be the losers. When it was suggested |
that the oil properties be appraised |
and offered to the sublessees at their I.
appraised valuation, the Indians, it is |
said. were advised by department Of !
ficials that it would be too much |
trouble to appraise the properties and !
even if they were appraised the sub |
lessees would find a way of getting !
around the payment Of the appraised |
valuation.
Were Nonplusscd
Being much in the same attitude
as the unarmed mon held up in a dark /
alley at midnight by a highwayman
and forced to deliver, the Osages sub
mitted to departmental dictates. They |
had no place to turn: no one with
whom to advise. except the very de-
partment officials who were insist
ing upon the terms upon which the |
Indian property should be disposed of.
Bound by an oath of secrecy the In
dians had no one to appeal to for re-
lief. The idea however. became very
firmly fixed in the minds of the
Osages that they were being bilked
and that If their oil and gas lands
were released upon the terms as die
tated by the department, it meant a
loss of millions Of dollars to the tribe.
Submits Offer
A month or so before the Usage
council was calleG to meet in Wash
ington last June the National PETROL
cum association. made up Of about
forty Independent Gil refiners, sub
mitted an offer to the Indian office,
which in the aggregate. II is said,
would have meant about s10,000.000
In additional profits to the Osages
over the plan as proposed by the de-
partment. Some months before, an
Intricate plan for taking over the
Osa ge oil leases had been submitted to
the department and the Usage coun-
Gil by Earl oliver OF Bartlesville. II
the erection of refiner-
les, the building OF pipe lines and q
sliding scale Of royalties. The plan
was too complicated for the Indian
mind to readily grasp and tho propo-
sition wna not seriously considered.
Later. Mr.. oliver submitted on offer