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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1903)
1C THE MOBNDTQ OBKGONIAK, TUESDAY,- tAPIUI. 7, 1903. TIKE FIRST STEP Land Office Officials Show Their Hand. FRAUDS ARE DISCOVERED Three Commissioners In Ore gon Removed. ANOTHER FORCED TO RESIGN Special Astnl" of Dcpnrtment of In terior Hare Ilrporlcd Ilcanlt of Tbetr InTcatlcatlona Preten tions of Guilty Will rollovr. Special acenU of the VnlteJ SUW land OClc and the Interior Depart ment have dloOTerel evidence ol ex tenstre frauds In the disposition o( pub lics lands In this state, and steps nave been taken toward prosecuting the of fenders. Several United States Corn jnltslosers will be among those prose cuted for frauds as a result of four months Isvestlcatlon br special o facers. Tbs first etcp In tho prosecutions was -taken yesterdar br Judge Bellinger, wiio removed Commissioners H. W. Reed, of Band, Crook County: J. W. Hamaker. of Blr. KlamaUl County, and J. O. Hamaker, of Bonanza, Klamath County. A few days ago Hiss Marie Ware, Commissioner at Eugene, was permitted to resign. A direct Intimation waa conveyed to her that l vacancy in her office would be most ac ceptable to the officials of the Interior Department. The three other Commis sioners were summarily removed by Judge Bellinger at the request of the special of ficers of the land department who .have leen Investigating the land frauds. These removals are to be followed by otters In different parts of the state. The . special officers who have been Investigat ing the frauds In Oregon have evidence of the gross negligence and fraudulent prac tices of a number of United States Com missioners, and all of those against whom Irregularities are charged will be deprived of their offices. No Intimation has yet been conveyed of tho number who are to be prosecuted. The first steps In this direction will be taken by the United Elates Attorney's office upon a request from Washington. The reports from tte special agents of the Interior Department have been made direct to the Washington officials in charge of the administration of public land matters, and not to the local court officials. At Washington It is ex pected the Department of Justice will be put Into possession of tho evidence ac cumulated, and prosecutions will then be ordered. Fraud Is Chanced. Gross negligence, collusion, fraud In the taking of acknowledgments and various other Irregularities ore charged against certain Commissioners In tills state. They are accused of having used their offices for private gain, and of having formed a partnership with land cruisers or land lo cators. In some Instances It Is charged the Com missioners have been parties to fictitious entries on public lands. In other cases the Commissioners have entered Into agreements with aspiring landowners to facilitate the work of taking up public lands, and the land laws have been open ly violated. A special agent of the department was cent out a short time ago to Investigate tho conduct of a certain Commissioner's office. He bod received information to the effect that 11 persons would be present upon a certain date to make final proof of settlement. Under ordinary circum stances, where a full and complete Inves tigation was made by tho Commissioner os the law directs, this would occupy an entire day's time. Each applicant would 3e put through a rigid examination, and i!s witnesses would have to answer a se ries of questions to demonstrate that the applicant had been faithful In all his ob ligations. The special investigating officer not de siring to make his presence known too ' soon, stopped overnight about three miles distant from the office which ho was to In vestigate. About 930 the next morning he flatted the office, believing he had arrived Jn plenty of time to watch the work of tthe Commissioner. On his way to the of fice he met seven applicants, accompanied Ihy their witnesses, returning to their 3iomes. This aroused his suspicions, and lo Investigated. It "was discovered nt thla office that the ' Commissioner had filled out all the blanks In the application upon a typewriter. In 1eome Instances he had filled In his nn f -enters In dupllcato by use of carbon paper, ia as to save time. The effect of this ar rangement was that the applicant and his iTrltnetoes. when they appeared, were t iandcd the blanks, already tilled out. and asked to sign them. The ceremony ended At this point. Not a, bit of Investigation was conducted try this Commissioner, nnd not any part of the answers filled In by him were those ' of tho settler or his witnesses. Gross Irrrjcnlaritjr Knund. Another Instance of grows Irregularity discovered by the special agents wan that of a Commissioner who camo to Portland to take the acknowledgment of certain landowners. Under the law, all those who liavo token up public land are compelled to appear In person before tho Commis sioner or officers of tho Land Office nnd show their right to the property sought. In this Instance not only did the appll cants fall to visit the office, but they even paid the Commlf.iIoncr to take their ac knowledgments In Portland. It Is sus pected by the officials of the Interior De partment that at least one of the appli cants waa no nearer the office of the Com missioner than Chicago. In some mysteri ous manner he succeeded In satisfying the Commissioner. It has been discovered by the special agents that certain of the Commissioners were in the habit of going outside their districts into neighboring counties to take acknowledgments. This work Is along tho same line as that of the com missioner who came to Portland. Open partnership with land locators Is charged against some of tho Cbmmlaslon era. In these Instances the Commission, ers and the land locators entered Into an agreement cither to locate genuine seek, era for public lands or to find fictitious names for land locators and take up prop erty which won deemed to be valuable. The use of fictitious names was general among the crooked land Commissioners. This practice give tho Commlslsoners and their confederates control of valuable Government property, the market value of which provided for their remuneration. Loooeness In the conduct of their offices Is & general charge that Is cwde against certain Commissioners. Against such It Is not alleged they were corrupt, though this churg taifht b true, but they have certainly not paid the proper attention to details. If not an actual party to frauds they have permitted others to Impose upon the Government from the fact that they did not scrutinize applications closely enough. Euch Commissioners as are guilty of carelessness may not be prosecuted. Criminal Charcea Will De Filed. It Is the intention of the Federal officials to file criminal charges against those Commissioners who have been u parties to frauds, or who. In their "obliging, way," have gone outside their district either to drum up trade or to assist some land lo cator Jn making final proof. The charges' against euch officials will be prosecuted vigorously. The first step will probably be taken by the United States District At torney when complaints are lodged In the office of the United States Court Commis sioners. The guilty officials will then be bound over to await the action of the Federal grand Jury. In the meantime It Is expected further orders removing land Commissioners ac cused by the department's special agents will be issued. The evidence of four months' Investigation is in the hands of the officials of the Interior Department, and action may be ordered at any time. The department has been represented directly In the Investigations by A. R. Green, n special inspector. The General Land Office has had E. B. XJnnen. one of Its special agents, in the field. The re ports nt both of these offloers have been forwarded to Washington, and their full contents are not known In Portland. The Investigations of the special agents, will be pursued elsewhere, and It Is ex pected frauds similar to thom practiced In Oregon will be discovered In other states. It Is claimed as a. result of these Inves tigations that It has been demonstrated the law of IXC, though intended to fa cilitate the working of the land office. Is really a very vicious measure. It has given an opportunity for the practicing of frauds that, under the old system, could not havo been attempted. Under the law of 1302 the Federal Judges are authorized to appoint Land Commit. slonerst. These officials ore empowered to take acknowledgements and accept final proof upon all classes of Government land. The theory of the law was that It would enable persons to make final proof without going to the Land Office, which might be located some distance from their home. A local Commissioner would ac cept the proof as welL The practical working of the law has been that designing persons have been able by the circulation of a petition to the Federal Judge to secure their own ap pointment as Land Commissioner. The Judge could not, of course, know an the applicants, hut would recognize many good names on the petition. Once In pos session of his commission the crooked official would be ready for business. This Is the plan followed In this state which the Interior Department has Just exposed. miss ware: nnsiGxs. United States Commissioner at En Kfnc Itetlres From Office. EUGENE. Or April 6. (Special.-Miss Mario Ware, United States Commissioner, has tendered her resignation. Coming at tnis time. It has given rise to a report that the resignation was by request. This, however, is not true, and It Is certain her resignation was voluntary. It may be that recent Investigations that have been con ducted may have had something to do with her decision to retire from office, but no pressure was brought at this time. It has been learned that there Is soon to be an exposition of misconduct In office by several officials of the Land Depart ment of the Government, and that there will be a smoking out such as has never been seen for a long time, and a complete exposition of publlo land frauds through the Federal Courts. In the case of Miss Ware, It Is quite generally known that charges were made against her some time ago, but Just what the charges were Is not known. Judge Bellinger had an agent sent here to look into the charges, but he failed to find any evidence to make out a case. Within the past month, however, there has been a special agent of the department here from Washington, who worked quietly for some time investigating matters In connection with public land entries. This agent did not make himself known offlcally, and took extraordinary precautions against letting out Information. .None of those who would be likely to know what Is going on will talk on the subject, but It Is learned that evidence has been accumulated here and elsewhere which will furnish the public with sensa tional Information when the proper time arrives, and there will be nn exposure of the work of the Land Department that will be quite conclusive. The time for the Investigation is said to be the latter paVt of this month, when the Federal grand Jury meets in Portland, and tho officers and attorneys who may know will not talk until the grand Jury has had an op portunity to take action. An effort has been mode to learn If the ex-Commlssloncr of the General Land Office, Blnger Hermann, was In any way to be brought under the searchlight of the courts, and It Is safo to say that the exposures promised will not in any way reflect upon Mr. Hermann or be used against him politically, and that those who will come in for Investigation and tho misconduct In office that will be charged are not In any way likely to re flect upon the administration of tho Gen eral Land Office. The proceedings before the grand Jury will bo watched with a great deal of In terest by many In Lane County, who are. In one way or another, possessors of lands. the title for which Is still to come from the Government. PERSONAL MENTION. Dr. R. E. Darnell nnd wife, of Ka lama. Wash., are at the St. Charles. Scott Bozorth, of Salem, manager of the Pacific Homestead, was In the city yesterday. J. W. Scriber. a prominent banker and politician of La Grande, is registered at the Imperial. Watson C Squire, an old and well known resident of Seattle, Is a guest of tho Portland. C M. Saylor, of Pocahontas. Ia., accom panied by his wife. Is making a tour of the Northwest. They are now at the 'St. Charles. J. G. Lucas, who was formerly receiver of the land office In The Dalles, is regis tered at tne imperial. His wife accom panies him. John Ivey, a watercolor artist from Cal ifornia, is a guest of the Perkins. Mr. Ivey, who is well known In artistic circles. has originated a style of his own. and a number of local painters have formed a club, which Is named after him. A. T. Vandevanter, a prominent horse man, state Senator and politician of the State otJWashlngton. Is staying at the Imperial. Mr. Vandevanter arrived from Seattle to attend the sale of horses which takes place in Portland today, and may possibly sell some or nis own ztocic Coionei Dudley Evans, president of the Wells-Fargo Express Company. Is at the Portland. Colonel Evans owns a con siderable quantity of real estate in this city and Its suburbs, and it is more his wt, t hiiclnM, than f i . nffalr nf V. . company that has brought him to Port' land Just now. Henry Rust, a wealthy resident of Baker City, is a guest of the Imperial. Mr. Rust has recently sold the brewery which he owned there, and has practically retired from business. "Baker City Is growing faster all the time." said Mr. Rust yester day. TTie mines are all working, and there Is a steady tide of Immigration into that part of the country." Mr. Rust is well advanced In years, and a friend re marked that he had not changed much In the last few years. "Can't afford to change at my age." said Mr. Rust. "Any change now would be lor the worse, so I have concluded not to change at an." WANTHER PROPERTY Erring Wife Finds No Forgive- ness in Husband's Heart. STEPSON URGES DESERTION r. D. Mobley. With Ilia Son, Demands That Woman Who Worked -for Them S3 Yrsri Sarrendtr Hex-. Community Rights. J. B. Mobler and his Portland a few days ago, for the proteased purpose of Inducing Mrs. Mobley to return to her home, and bringing to punishment R. Ripley, with whom she had eloped. Their true purpose, as evidenced by the developments of vcsicrdav. n-n tn rnr the woman to sign away all of her interest m nome property. On account of the timely Interference of Mrs.' Simmons, matron of the City Jail, they did not ac-' complish their purpose, but they did leave the mother deserted and without a cent of money or a friend to care for her. Judge N. IL Bloomfield has taken up tho case of the deserted woman, and says that If there is any way to evoke Justice in the case, be will see that she has her Just apportionment of the property. Behind the story of the fickle wife, who eloped with a man who pleased her fancy. us a piuiui uue or an orphan girl married at the age of 15 years to a man of twice her age, and given the care of six children not her own, who, after working for 23 years to help support this large tamlly. finds herself an obstacle In the -way of one of the children she helped to raise. ana is thrown out that he may reap the benefit of her years of saving. "My wife's mind Is not strong." said the aged husband yesterday at the police sta tion, "and I am sorry for her. It she wants to go back home. I will be glad" to take care of her." The stepson, Orry Mo bley, was standing by his side, however, and was not content to hear his father talk thus. 'No." replied the stepson, for whom the woman In the cell bad labored so many years, that he might have a pleasant home: "she is a fallen woman, and it would not bo right for you to again receive her Into our home." 'Yes," replied the old man. submissively,' for It was evident that he was controlled body and soul by the young one. "You are right. We cannot take, her back." "I want to go back with them." said the woman, when she was questioned, but there was no pity evinced by the stepson. We can't take her. father." he said. and the question was settled. The two left the place and soon returned and presented a document, which they wished her to sign. "You have committed a crime," began the heartless stepson, "but we would rather not prosecute you for It. Sign this document, and we will not prosecute the case." Mrs. Simmons heard the words and Interfered. "You have claimed," said she, "that the woman Is not of sound mind, and you shall not take advantage of her." The disappointed son concealed his wrath and left the scene. "We will go. then, nnd leave her," he said. When It was Intended to turn the pris oners free. It was found that Ripley had 16. "Are you not willing to give the woman a part of the money, so that she can go to Vancouver and look out for her rights?" Ripley was asked. But he thought more of the mtmey than he did the rights of the woman whom he had brought to sorrow, and refused to part with any portion of the 'money. "She shall not receive such treatment here." declared Sam Simmons, as soon as he saw the situation. He Immediately presented the case forjudge Bloomfield. and the attorney made arrangements to do everything possible to help the woman regain her rights. "It is evident." said the Judge, when seen last night, "that the woman Is some what demented. They are taking advan tage of her. The old man cannot live long. and the son would like to have the prop erty turned 'over to himself. He wants to get the woman out of the way. Accord ing to the laws of the State of Washing ton, she Is entitled to half of the property. I will communicate at once with Judge A. L. Miller, of her county, and ask him to' take charge of the matter, and see that the woman has her rights." Both Mrs. Mobley and Ripley are still confined In the City Jail, and will be held there on a local charge until the matter can be finally adjusted. SHOT AT FIREBUG. Incendiary Attempts to Fire Eastern Jt Western Lumber Co.'e Yard. Despite the anonymous letters received by Chief of Police Hunt. In which a writer, pretending to be the firebug, said that he had left the city, an incendiary attempt was made early yesterday morn ing In the lumber yards of the Eastern & Western Lumber Company, and the firebug narrowly escaped being killed. Three shots were fired at him by. Night watchman John W. Bingham, but so far as Is known none of the bullets took effect. The owners of the different mills are becoming more alarmed than ever con cerning the matter, and are placing sev eral watchmen at each plant, and arming them with shotguns. The attempt to fire the Eastern & Western Lumber Company's mills was rrviil. nt Snnilav moraine. The nlsrht watchman was going the rounds, when he' was attracted by a noise in the yards. Slipping quietly to the scene, he saw a man skulking from the yard. "Halt." cried the watchman, but the strange man broke into a run. Two shots were fired nt the retreating form, but the light wss so bad that It Is thought neither of the bullets did any harm. An investigation in the morning showed evidence that the watchman had really shot at the firebug. Near the place where he had first heard the noise was a sack of hoy, which had been dropped as soon as the watchman appeared on the seene. The news was wired to the police sta tion, and an officer was sent to look Into the matter. The fugitive had es caped, however, and no trace of htm could be found. It Is thought that he escaped by means of a boat that had been tied near the lumber yards. Have you rrienas coming rrom the EastT If so. send their names to the Denver & Rio Grande office. 121 Third street. icrt land. Or. BURIED FOR A TIME. Laborers Are Caught by Caving Dirt, bnt Sot Injured. Several tons of dirt caved from a bank near -Seventh and Alder streets yester day afternoon and buried H. H. Grant and William Jones. The workmen quick ly removed the earth that covered the victims, and neither was Injured by the accident. An old wooden structure at 151 Seventh street had been raised from the founda tion, and the men were working be neath it removing the dirt. Bulkheads had been erected to keep the dirt from caving In. but were not sufficiently strong, and as the two men were be neath the bank, the dirt fell upon them. One escaped in a. few moments, as a wagon was standing near him acted as a shield. Grant was not so fortunate, and was .burled for fully ten minutes be fore enough of the earth' could be re Bsoved to allow him to escape. ..Meier (& Frank. Company.. Easter Bibles, Prayer Books and Testaments at special prices. ..Meier & Frank Company.. Easter Novelties Bunnies, Chicks, etc. Prices 5c up. Easter Footwear for women All the good kinds for walking or dress wear $3.00 to $6.00 per pair. Ready-to-Wear Apparel for Misses and Children Our assortment , the largest and most complete ever shown In the Northwest. Young Men's Easter Clothing .Black Clay Suits in sack styles, well made, stylish and very reasonably priced. Easter Notes From 'Houn the Store week At this important point of time when all thoughts are directed to Easter needs, and they are many, the "Big Store" brings to the attention of all economical buyers that which is essentially necessary for Eastertide. . Suggestive and exceptionally seasonable merchandise greets you on every hand in our store.- Evidences of the approaching sea son everywhere from the feathery and furry novelties in the fancy goods department to the elegant cloaks and millinery on the second floor. Ready and willing hands to serve you promptly and satisfactorily. Uatspp " famous $3.00 Hats for men. The new Easter i JtavYCO styles in Derbys and-Fedoras. A $5.00 hat for $3.00. Easter Millinery That which is foremost in the mind of every woman when her thoughts are direct ed to dress fs Millinery Our Millinery showing Is as . com plete a display as can be found in the gre'aCNorthwest. The ut most care and painstaking was and still' is practiced in setting forth' the creations that you are to select from. Not a lot of " sent out from the East" justvso that a quantjty may be shown, but ours a col lection personally selected, the creations of the best mil liners of America as well as Paris, are here in superior variety. For the most artistic expression of creative genius you must come to the "Big Store." We've prepared Easter Headgear for the child ren A variety that makes choosing easy for mothers Prices and styles" that are pleasing to Children's Headwear the children, and parents alike. 'Kerchieft Swiss, Linen and Hand Embroidered 'Ker chiefs. An entire new, assortment to select from. "Perrin's" Gloves Are you familiar with the good points embodied in the "Per,rin" Gloves? The best and most carefully selected skins used in their construction every detail in workmanship receives the close attention of expert glove makers the colors, finish, fit and stylish appearance makes this glove a success the worfd over.' The Spring style. and,size assortment is complete Every new shade to match the Easter gowns 1 hree qualities for your choosing. 'Charmette" A superior real French kid Glove iQ "La Mure" Three styles, an unequaled Glove, per pair , "Perrin's" First-Quality The highest art of Kid Glove. Der oair "Fanchon" Saedos. blk. and colors, a desirable dress Glove. SL50 pair. Complete line of 16, 20, Stbutton Suede Gloves Two-clasp Silk Gloves; also 18 and20-bntton Silk Gloves. .75 $2.00 Easter Perfumes 75c val. 59c oz. "Hudnut's Yanky" Perfumes For the rest of the week 75c values 59c oz. East man's triple extracts, all odors, 18c bottle. Armenian Handkerchiefs Complete showing of the new Armenian Lace-Trimmed Handkerchiefs, dainty and at tractive qualities from 50c to $1.25 each. $2.50 Laces $1.3.9 Yard Of course you would like a handsome Allover Lace Waist The sale of a manufacturer's stock that we heralded yester day brought, an enthusiastic throng of buyers. The oppor tunity offered to purchase a beautiful lace at about half the regular price was induce ment enough to bring many 6f the best customers we have. Quantity enough remains for all who come today and to morrow. The facts are: A manufacturer's stock of beau tiful white and cream. Venise Lace Allover, eight handsome patterns, all clean, desirable goods, 3i yards necessary for waist pattern, $2.50 value, your choice at $1.39 yard $5.00 Umbrellas $2.57 The best Unbrella value we have ever offered. The quality of silk, the styles of handles, the plain and changeable effects with or without borders in navy, brown, black and red makes an umbrella offering not to be overlooked by prudent buyers. Handles of pearl, sterling trimmed; sterling handles with French gray medallions; handles of horn and natural wood and -a large variety of styles. Not an umbrella in the lot worth less than $4.50, the great ma jority $5 values. Do tf your choosing now, at.. pJ mmm CLOAK The Easter display of Silk Waists and Petticoats comprises everything that is new and desirable in Section styie as well as material. Every gradefrom $3.50 up to $50.00. This Is "Housekeeper's Week" The merchandise and the values cannot fail to interest every woman who is in the least economically inclined. Just the things necessary to brighten up the home and table for Easter are offered here at a saving you are bound to appreciate. Look through this list carefully and note the many marvelous values. Linen ' Ml Basement II Pure Food II Curtain Department 70-inch half bleached Table Damask, best patterns, good quality, special value LJn at, yard 04 72-inch grass bleached Table Damask, quality worth $1.25, for this sale, 90c Silver bleached Damask Nap kins, 22x22 in. fine 1Q patterns only, doz m" Grass bleached Damask Nap kins, per fl;l Q O dozen ...... q 1 .70 500 dozen bleached Cotton Huck Towels, large size, q extra value at, each Hemmed Pillow Cases, 45x33 inches, special value 1 at, each I VIC 18-in. All-linen Bleached Crash, yard All-linen HuckTowels, l o large size - OC Special lot of "Webb's" all linen grass bleached hem stitched Huck Towels, best value ever offered at L ' each 5C 9c Department 16c Rattan Carpet Beaters " large size, 10c and... "Gricket" Wringer, $1.75 ?. $1.29 "Neverburn" Roasters, 9x and9?5.-.390 48C "1847" Rogers Bros. Al Silver-plated Ware Teaspoons, fancy patterns, per QO- Dessert Spoons, fancy pat-, terns, per fl j?Q set ip .4 7 Meat Forks, neat pat- l o terns, each HfOC Jelly Knives, neat Pat-Q terns, each ..0-7C Wrought-iron Candle- sticks, each IrC Cordova Wax Candles, - ass'td colors, each , C Tall Celery Glasses, special, each . 500 Japanese Creamers, only, each C New arrivals in English Din ner Sets, beautiful patterns. 16c Department 2Hb. can table Straw- i e berries for 21-lb. cans table Rasp- & berries, 2 for JC 2i-lb, cans table Pears, y e 2 cans JC 2j-ib.canstableBlack- y r berries 2 cans -Gallon of Tea Gar- Af4 den Drips for tSfJC 1 Dozen assorted Van Camps Soups $1.00 2 Cans of Hickmott's A Asparagus IOC 3 3-lb. cans of sliced Pineapples for JUC 1-lb can of Baker's AfL Cocoa for.....'. HOC Curtice Bros. Blue ycn Label Catsup, bottle V?C 3 2Hb. cans of Pie y cn Peaches for Js 1-lb. cans of Minced er- Clams, 2 for... . JC 2 pks. Malta Vita, Caro Fruito or Force . Gr .1-lb. Baker's Pow- iri0 dered Chocolate. Largest bottle Lea & Q(V Perrins' Sauce... OKH, Department 100 pairs of imported ruffied Muslin Curtains, hemstitched and colored border, regular $2.50 value, pair $1.6? 100 silkoline covered Com forters FiUed with Ianated I cotton, best patterns, regular Carpet . Department 5000 yards of Japanese Mat tings, plain and figured, great many styles to choose i q from, 25c value, yard- -C 200 fringed Wilton Rugs, 27x60 inch, very best designs and color combina- $" tions, great bargain? 500 goose-feather mixed Pil lows, fancy ticking covered, size 21x27 inches, l great value P viy