Alleged Town Site Schemes.
The secretary also said that reports are coming to the department of schemes for disposing of numerous town sites, the promoters offering chances to the public. “The only town sites which have been authorized,” the secretary said, “are those of the three county seats. No others have been sanctioned, and no one knows where others will be. Hence all except those three are bogus, and reports of their establishment should be denounced as intended to deceive the public.”
Auction Plan Not Feasible.
Referring to the suggestion that the new lands should be sold at auction and the proceeds of the sale turned over to the Indians, the secretary said:
“These lands are as much government property as are any other part of the public domain. They have been purchased from the Indians and title is no longer in them. Hence the plan is not feasible. Moreover, it would not be wise if practicable, for if the lands were put up at auction they all would fall into the hands of men with money, and the poor man would have no chance whatever. Under the present plan all have equal rights regardless of conditions of wealth, and that this fact is recognized is made evident by the large number taking advantage of the opportunity for registration.”
The registration will close at 6 p.m. on the 26th.
PORTO RICAN DUTIES.
The Attorney General Refuses to Render an Opinion on Certain Porto Rican Duties.
Washington, July 23.—Attorney-General Knox has declined to render an opinion, which was asked for by the secretary of the treasury, on the question whether or not, under existing laws, the secretary is authorized to refund the duties collected on goods imported from Porto Rico between the date of the ratification of the Spanish treaty and the date that the Foraker act went into operation. The attorney general says that inasmuch as the comptroller of the treasury has given his decision on the subject it is a matter for him (the comptroller) alone, and he therefore can not give a decision as requested.