Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-04-10
MEANS rs LUMBERMEN.
Chippewas Getting Rich on Their Reser-
walton Along Lake Supericg.

ShippeNds peLiiHts ficn On InClS heser-
walton Along Lake Supericc.
The experiment of using Indian
labor in the logging woods is being
carried on by the Red Cliff lumber
company OF Duluth, Mimi, which has
a contract for cutting many millions
of feet OF pilHe in reservations on the
south shore OF Lake Superior. The
company's contracts were made with
the Indian bureau. The Indians not
only get money for their timber, which
is invested by the government and
paid to them in installments, but they
are also kept at work so long as the
timber remains on their lands, thus
giving them employment and teaching
them an occupation.
On the Red Cliff, Bad River and
Lac de Flambeau reservations there
under this agreement with the Indian
bureau, and all the adult male Indians
who want to work are kept busy all
the year round. They have sold their
timber for large price, the govern
ment has put their money into bonds
and pays them the interest, it gives
them many other favors, and they are
able to earn enough to keep them
selves and their families in comfort, so
that in time every Chippewa family on
these reservations ought to be well off.
For years there has not been time
when these Indians were in need of
food, nor have they ever become beg
gars, as most other reds have when
once removed from their original ter
ritory.
The experiment of working these
indians was undertaken with consid-
cradle timi iity, but it has proven sue
cessful. 1t has been found that three
men must be kept ready for the work
that two whites would do, two work
ers and ''sub,' for the Indian will
not work long at a stretch. He must
knock off once in while and take
rest in his tepee. An understudy is
necessary to keep the force up to full
strength. In most cases they are not
trusted with responsible work. In
the woods they are choppers, cooks,
swampers, but never teamsters or
leaders. At the mills in summer they
are common laborers, car pushers,
pile leaders, etc, but seldom machine
hands, head pliers, sawyers or skilled
men. Skilled work they do at times,
but usually in couples, with a white
man to act as leader, as in the lumber
piles, where three men are needed fol
the work. There are exceptions to
this rule, and some of the Indians
have shown as much aptitude for busi-
ness as whites, and there are few ON
each reservation who are taking con-
tracts independently and doing well
in the logging business. These arn
able to get along without white help,
In most cases where ambitious Chip
pewas have tried contracting it has
been found that the chief trouble was
in the refusal of men of their own
race to obey orders or to work for the
Indian boss rs they would for a white
man. Most of the Indian contractors
have gone broke as the result of just
this fact.
About As, 600, 900 feet of timber are
being cut this winter on the three
reservations in which these contracts
have been made by the Indian depart
ment. In these operations some 400
Indians find as steady employment as
they are willing to accept. They work
well when they work at all, and re.
ceive the same wages as whites, from
$40 to $24 a month and keep. In the
summer at the mills they get from 81
to $l.25 day.-New York Sun.