OCR Text |
Show DEFENDS MITCHELL WASHINGTON. Jan. $.-Publlc land frauds constituted a topic of serious consideration con-sideration at the White House Wednesday. Wednes-day. The situation in Oregon and the developments develop-ments the last day or two concerning the alleged frauds tn Idaho both were discussed. dis-cussed. Secretary Hitchcock was an early caller, remaining with the President, Presi-dent, however, only a short time. While It is known that some phases of the land cases were discussed, the Secretary did not care to say anything at this time for publication. Senator Fulton of Oregon also had a brief chat with the President about the Oregon cases. He is sincerely resentful of the action taken against his colleague. Senator "Mitchell. "Senator Mitchell,", said he, "Is as innocent in-nocent of any base or cnminal connection connec-tion with the land frauds In our State as any man in Oregon. Senator Mitchell has been identified with the great interests inter-ests of our State for nearly a quarter of a century. He has worked ably. Insistently Insist-ently and honorably to advance these Interests. In-terests. Today he is a poor man, living In a couple of little rooms on a side street. I am quite positive that bis Innocence of the charges against him will be demonstrated demon-strated satisfactorily to all the world." Senator Heyburn of Idaho talked to the President about the bill be has prepared providing for the Federal incorporation of companies and concerns doing an interstate inter-state business. He said. also, that he proposed to try to obtain consideration In the Senate for the pure-food bill and. If possible, would have It made the unfinished un-finished business of the Senate. As Senator Heyburn left the White House he was asked what he had to say regarding the land fraud exposure in his own State. "I always select my own battlefield," he replied. "Those who challenge me to combat would better be pretty careful what they do. The efforts made to connect con-nect me with the frauds have no basis whatever. A year ago, in the course of a speech concerning the Northern Pacific land grants, I called the Senate's attention atten-tion to the land frauds being committed In Idaho. I stood ready then and I stand ready now to assist the officers of the Government In ferreting out the criminals and securing their punishment. "No." continued the Senator, in response re-sponse to further inquiry, "I never acted as attorney for any of the people who are alleged to be connected with the Ida. ho frauds. I am no friend of theirs and they are no friends of mine. We will get to the bottom of these frauds if I can bring about such a result." |