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Show COMYIS8IONNB OF INDIAN AFFAIBS. 119 On May 4,1903, the Department promulgated regulations to govern the leasing of lands selected by citizens of the Cherokee Nation as their allotments. Section 72 of the Cherokee agreement, approved by act of July 1,1902 (32 Stat. L., 761), and ratified by a majority vote of the citizens of the Cherokee Nation August 7,1902, providw : Cherokee citizens may rent their allotments, when selected, for a term of years, not to exceed one year for grazing purposes only and for a perlod not to exceed flve years for agricultural purposes, but without any stipulation or obllgation to renew the same: but leases for a period longer than one year for grazing purposes and for a period longer than flve years for agricultural pur-poses and for mineral purposes may dm be made with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior and not otherwise. Section 6 of the agreement defines the word " mlection " and its various modifications as used therein, and as applied to homesteads and allotments, " to mean the formal application at the land office, to be established by the Dawes Commission for the Cherokee Nation, for particular tracts of land." Citizens of the Cherokee Nation have the right, therefore, to lease the lands selected by them for mineral purposes, with the consent and approval of the Department prior to the delivery of patent, provided it is shown that such lands are not involved in contest proceedings. The law, as will be seen from the foregoing quotation, authorizes Cherokee allottees to rent their allotments for not exceeding one year for grazing, and for not more than five years for agricultural pur-poses, without the consent or approval of the Department. For Oil and gas--Cantinned. Barnes Investment Co -------- 2 Moore, Evans, Houghton & Car-son . l Crane, Cyrus S --------------- 14 Verdils Oil and Development Co ....................... 1 Mitchell, John L ------------- 1 McCready, Howard & Brey-f o g 1 Curry, James A -------------- 1 M I a t e 1 Bonacker, EMward J-.-.------ 1 Cherokee National Oil and Gas O 2 - Total ------.---94. ----------- Con1 and asphalt: Warden Coal Co -------------- 14 Arkansas Valley Coal, Gaa and I 00 . '7' Severs, Federlck B ----------- 1 Henryetta Coal Co --..---4 -.-- Anderson, Frank P ----------- 3 i d W e. . 1 Whitehead Coal and Mlnlng Co - - 9 McDoneM, Thomas. -----3 ----- Drew, Reynold & Plxley ------ 1 Frism Coal Co ---.-.--------2 .. Weston, Hancock & Russell--- 1 Creek Coal and Mlnlng Co ---- 4 Canadian Coal Co- ---.---1 ------ Total ...................... 51 There were approved during the last fiscal year 41 oil and gas leases and 15 coal and asphalt leases; during the fiscal year preceding that 53 oil and gas leases and 36 cod and asphalt leases. |