Telegram from the Association on American Indian Affairs to Secretary of the Interior Oscar Chapman

DOMESTIC SERVICE z Check the class of service desired; otherwise this message will be WESTERN INTERNATIONAL SERVICE 1211 Check the class of service desired; otherwise this message will be sent as a full rate telegram sent at the full rate FULL RATE TELEGRAM SERIAL UNION FULL RATE DEFERRED DAY NIGHT NIGHT LETTER CODE LETTER W. P. MARSHALL PRESIDENT LETTER NO. WDS.-CL. OF SVC. PD. OR COLL. CASH NO. CHARGE TO THE ACCOUNT OF TIME FILED ASSOC .ON AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS, INC. X Send the following message, subject to the terms on back hereof, which are hereby agreed to JUNE 11, 1952 x6misc THE HONORABLE OSCAR L. CHAPMAN COPY 6-C misc SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON, D. C. WE HAVE HAD NO REPLY TO OUR APRIL 28 APPEAL TO YOU FOR ACTION IMPLEMENTING IN PRACTICE PRINCIPLE OF INDIAN RIGHT TO FREE CHOICE OF COUNSEL AFFIRMED BY YOUR JANUARY 24 DECISION. CONTINUING INTERIOR DEPARTMENT DENIAL OF TRIBAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL CREATING INJUSTICES THAT MAY LEAD TO NEW GENERATION OF INDIAN LITIGATION AGAINST UNITED STATES. INTERIOR OFFICIALS INSISTED IN MARCH ON PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT AFFECTING TRIBAL LANDS THE SAME DAY PROPOSAL WAS RECEIVED, WITHOUT PERMITTING TRIBE TO SEEK ADVICE OF COUNSEL. ON JUNE 4 INTERIOR OFFICIAL SOUGHT TO PREVENT CROW CREEK ATTORNEY FROM TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ABOUT PENDING LEGISLATION VITAL TO TRIBAL INTERESTS, ON GROUND ATTORNEY'S CONTRACT EXPIRED DECEMBER 1950. EXPIRATION WITHOUT RENEWAL, DESPITE RENEWAL REQUEST BY TRIBE AND ATTORNEY, AND INTERIOR DEPARTMENT FAILURE TO ACT ON NEW CONTRACT LATER PROPOSED AMOUNT TO OUTRIGHT DEPARTMENTAL DENIAL OF RIGHT TO COUNSEL AND ADVICE OF COUNSEL. WE SOLEMNLY DECLARE TO YOU THAT SUCH CASES INVOLVE IN OUR JUDGMENT VIOLATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. IS NEW ERA OF INJUSTICES AND INDIAN CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES TO BE OPENED? IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE, OF THE HONOR OF OUR COUNTRY, AND THE UPHOLDING OF FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN LONG HONORED, WE CALL UPON YOU TO HALT THIS CONTINUING VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. ASSOCIATION ON AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS, INC. OLIVER LA FARGE, PRESIDENT 48 East 86 St., N.Y., N. Y. BEXNIDS - as SOATE GAVERNMENT