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Show HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES WERE STOLEN Attorney Sajs the Trnc Extent of the Oregon Land , - Frauds Is Not Yet Known, ; '..V BaBBBBB-aBaBaaB- 8 AN FRANCISCO. Jan: S.-Frencis J. Reney, who baa acted as specM prose cutor In the Oregon land-fraud cases, arrived ar-rived here today on business. ' After arguing ar-guing a case .In court he will, return to Portland, -probably on -Wednesday. Referring Re-ferring to the removal of United States District Attorney Hall, he said: - As the representative of the Attorney-General, Attorney-General, I deemed it best for the interests inter-ests of the Government,- after having observed ob-served the actions of Hall.- to recommend his Immediate removal. 'My recommendation recommen-dation to that -effect was wired to Wash" tngton Friday night, and the President acted Saturday morning. In the mean time I had resigned as special representative representa-tive - of the Atterney-General and was appointed - United States Attorney in Hall's place, to carry out my plans for the prosecution, which will be made known in due time." Mr. Heney continued: ' "The extent of the land fraud case In Oregon Is far greater than I imagined, even after I learned the extent of Hyde-Benson Hyde-Benson frauds through my connection with the prosecution of that case. Oregon Ore-gon Is under the domination of a corrupt cor-rupt political ring, which hesitates at nothing to accomplish its ends. Hundred! Hun-dred! of thousands of acres of the finest fin-est timber land in the world have been secured from the United States within the last -five years by a half-dozen individuals, through fraud, perjury and subornation of perjury. The gcod people of Oregon will be as much astounded when they, bear the evidence in the case against Senator Mitchell and Congressman Hermann as they were when they heard the evidence In the case of Puter, McKlnley and others oth-ers which has already been tried, and in which the defendants were convicted. The case against Mitchell andVHer--nann does' not depend in the slightest degree upon the testimony of Puter and McKlnley. The evident Is sufficient to warrant and sustain a conviction, without with-out placing either of them upon the stand as a witness. "The indictments already procured touch only thi edge of the vast frauds which have been perpetrated in Oregon. Ore-gon. The grand Jury and I have fully a month's work ahead of us, and I expect ex-pect to procure the indictment of at least a dosen prominent and wealthy persona who have profited most by these frauds. It may become necessary lor me to request the removal of certain cer-tain other Federal officers in Oregon before we complete our Investigation, but I recognise the grave responsibility which rests upon me in making such requests and t.m proceeding with the utmost caution ar.d will not expect the President to act until I am In. possession posses-sion of unimpeachable evidence of improper im-proper conduct of such officers." |