The age-herald., 1897-11-19
SECRETARY BLISS
 ANNUAL REPORT Appropriation of S156,532,419
 Is Asked For. TIE INDIAN RESERVATIONS Wants the Dawes Commission Given
 More Authority. Pss lCAL CHANGE IS NEEDED fv.
 In the Existing Laws Governing the
 Territory of Alaska.
In the Existing Laws Governing the
 Territory of Alaska.
PENSION CLAIMS GROWING NUMEROUS
If They Are Rapidly AdjudIcated They Will Swell The Pension Roll From Five Million 10 Seven Million
 Dollars Year.

Washington, Nov. 1S.-Secretary of tha Interior Bliss, in his annual report made public tonight submits esltamtes aggre- gating $1565S24 419 for appropriation by congress for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899.
 Discussing pensions, he says 2oofoo pension claims are awaiting adjudication and it is estimaits d that 40 or 50 per cent. of these will be finally admitted. If they are rapidly adjudicated they VIII swell ths pension roll from $5O0OO00 to $7,dOO.- OOo When, however, these claims are ad- indicated and first payments made thefe- on the amount of the pension roll Will decrease very rapidly possibly to $125,- 900 900 CT $130 900 the first year.
 The total Indian population of the United States, exclusive of the New York Indians and the Five Civilized Tribes, ap- proximate 177, ,178, located on TIT resenva. tons, which contain approximately 33,> 404 S37 acres. Of these 50,5S0 have accept ed allotments of land, winch aggregate about GA, ,147 acres. Secretary Bliss says while the opshing of the Wichita reser- vatrom in Oklahoma to white settlement . would greatly promote the development of that country, yet, in view of the url- settled condition of the questions affect- ing thelr rights, until there IS further Egislatont he does not see, how 1t can be done without causing great injury and distress.
 Tla guard against this recommendation is made that the Dawes commfss.on be authorized to investigate questions as to their rights and claims and report rec concentrations for speedy and just settle- ment Referring to the work of the Dawes commission, 1t Is announced that the Investigation of the rights of appli- eaton for citizenship in the Five Nations has been practically completed. Tha commission has been preparing the rolls of citiz nship of the several tribes and has negotiated three agreements.
 It is antlclpat.d that before the close of the fiscal session the geological sur yey wl have gathered sufficient data as to settle areas cf the reservations em- braced in the executive forest order as to enable the department to form am opinion as to the population and im- provements included within the reserves and the distribution of the forest and agricultural lands.
 Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss says existing conditions demand a radi- cal change in the laws relating thereto, and he recommends that the public land laws be extended to that district, that additional land offices be created and appropriations made to carry them into effect; that the granting of rights of way for railroad, telegraph and tele- phone lines and the construction of roads and trails be specifically authors ized; that provision be made for the in- corporation of municipalities providing for the holding of elections, defining qualifications for voting and giving such powers as are used and exercised by municipalities elsewhere; that the legal and political status of the native population, which is in doubt, be de- fined; that citizenship be extended to the Metlakahtla Indians, who emigrat- ed from British Columbia and, under authority of an act of congress approved March 3. 1891. now occupy Annette islands; that complete territorial govern ment be authorized and established and that representation in congress bs granted.
 Work on the Nicaragua canal is still suspended and the company reports lia- bilities consisting of the amounts still due under the concessions to the com- pany of $6,705 GOO of bonds and not ex- cseding $100,00O cash liabilities outstand- ing unpaid; assets unused capital stock $518,500, first mortgage bonds and the 2,420 shares of capital stock, received. in liquidation, the concessions, rights, privi- lsges, franchises, etc, which it now owns plants, equipments, lands, raii- ways, supplies and other property in Central America, including the land be- tween the lake and the Pacific. Recommendations are submitted for s parate appropriations for the civil service commission to be expended un- der it's own supervision that Indian agents be held responsible on their of- fcial bonds for all funds in their cus- tody, the law to apply to army officers as well as civilians, and when desired the United States provide such bonds for army officers acting as Indian agentss