Arizona republican., 1916-05-14
FLAGSTAFF |S
 FUR MIR. RUNkE
Chamber of Commerce h. vestigates Charge of Mur- der Against Indian Agent and Asks Cato Sells to Help Him

stand that is perhaps unique in court annals in the southwest is that taken by the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce in support of Walter Runke. an Indian agent, charged with murder in connection with the shoot ing of Paddy Tin, a Navajo some months ago. The business organiza- ton became interested in the matter. investigated and submitted the fol- lowing letter to Commissioner Cato Sells of tho bureau of Indian affairs at Washington:
 The Chamber of Commerce of the town of Flagstaff, Arizona in regular session. after carefully examining wit nesses. dep2sitions, and all informa ton accessible. bearing upon the re- cent action of Mir. Walter Runke, Supt of the Western Navajo Reser vation which resulted in the killing | of q Navajo Indian within his juris- diction, known as Taddy Tin, desires | to submit for your consideration the l findings of this body. which are as follows: First, tha; the said Indian was well known as a notorious character. q menace to the welfare and advance rnent of his own people. persistent and unyleldng influence for bad against the whole policy of the gov eri.ment, and every other organized effort working within the tribem for it's uplift to tEe ideals of our civili- zation
 Second. that your agent Supt. Runke is found by this body to be man of long service in the employ of the Indian Dept, and holds an enviable . record of efficiency of service, loyal ty to his work and his perfect fair t ness to the interests of the tribe it. 'e self and the maintainanee both be- h tween the Indians and the whites y living on and adjacent to the reser- vatioa. fair and just balance of v mutual relationship.
 10 Third, That the action of the agent which unexpectedly resulted in tn, Is killing of Taddy Tin. a Navaso h. Id dian, within the bounds of his proper lb jurisdiction was We believe, in nc st way the result of the violation of a st specific ruling of your Dept. But is apparently in perfect accord with the al history of similar cases upon Indian is Reservations which We understand p the office Of Indian Affairs has ap ec proved, and sustained. and which ar, ss in harmony with the commonly un 'i- derstcod policy of your Dept. as be. e. ing the duty and responsibilities r) | Agents everywhere in the Service t insist upon the proper recognition O authorized authority vested in then e. Co preserve ordcr, protect the live e. and interests of those within hi jurisdiction. and enforce complianc = with every demand of your offic - through its agents to give their chil dren an education and procure fo the whole tribe the most rapid an helpful progress possible.
 Fourth, We believe that the indict ment of Supt. Runke. and the thre white men was reached through fals testimony and misrepresentation ( the facts in the case on the pal of the Indian witnesses alone. wh were all more or less closely relate to the man killed. and necessaril influenced by prejudice and cnsregar for the truth and justice in the testimony
 Fifth. The Chamber of CommerC Of the town of Flagstaff. Arizona, dc sires hereby to express to you, aft, carefully weighing the facts Tn Il whole matter, its firm conviction tn. the indictment of these four men, ar any further procedure against ther Is and would be very unjust and ca only result in intensifying and aggr, Fat!ng conditions and increasing lav lessnoss, arrogance. and indifferen. and disregard for all proper authori among them. furthering The dang 70 the safety of whites living bo among them and adjacent to the re ervation
 Sixth. lnasmuch as your office h endorsed the action of Supt. Run to the extent Of retaining him az yo agent at this same place. pendil the disposal of their indictment whi action this body most heartily cor mends. Therefore the Chamber
 Commerce Of the town of Fagsta Ar.Zona, in special session desires
 respectfully urge upon you as Cor missioner of Indian Affairs yonr fl
 endorsement of Mir. Runkes action
 his case. Sustaining him fully
 this action and retaining as Age
 believing this course the only w
 ono and efficient course of procedl
 looking to justice for all ard
 quickest and best results for all co
 eerncd, and that you take ,h !
 tifni as will result if possible in
 appointmen: by the Dept. of Justi
 an attorney who shall proceed to ,
 Tend MT Runke and arrest furtl
 procedure against the four men.
 seventh. We desire in conclusion
 reiterate and reaffirm our confider
 in the efficiency. loyalty anl tr
 qualities of Mir. Runke io handle
 Jurisdiction for the best interests
 those Indians and respectfully des
 to urge upon your office to sust,
 him to this end"
 Runke faces trial in Federal co
 at Prescott this summer