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Description
This letter dated July 16, 1956, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to US Attorney General Herbert Brownell, refers to an enclosure of pages 10497 through 10800 of the Congressional Record of July 6, 1956. Langer asks Brownell to read this material, which expresses Langer's views "on the importance of concluding Indian Claims at an early date."
Langer explains while there have been needed reforms in the matter of law enforcement, the matter of Indian Claims remains unsatisfactory, with tribes all over the country dissatisfied with the slowness of the US Indian Claims Commission in disposing of claims, and the blame is being placed on the US Department of Justice.
Langer names several factors he feels require improvement, among which are a trial procedure in which department attorneys are unprepared to "put on their cases and close the record, as is required in ordinary litigation," but instead "delay the cases and keep the record open for them to accumulate and present evidence," which precludes the preparation of findings of fact and rendering of decisions.
Langer reports tribes are advising him the US Department of Justice has opposed settlement of any kind, and argues that "often both sides can profit from a settlement dispensing with long and involved trials and appeals," which, in this case, would benefit both taxpayers and tribes.
In closing, Langer writes he would appreciate hearing from Brownell at an early date and would be interested in any proposals he has "as to how these cases may be concluded promptly."
The enclosed pages Langer refers to were not found with the letter.
Date of Work
7-16-1956
Keywords
The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, Indian Claims Commission
Organizations Referenced
The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, Indian Claims Commission, US Department of Justice
People Referenced
William Langer, Herbert Brownell, Martin Cross
Recommended Citation
Langer, William, "Letter from Senator Langer to Herbert Brownell Regarding Indian Claims Commission, July 16, 1956" (1956). William Langer Papers. 884.
https://commons.und.edu/langer-papers/884