Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-11-30
ON The INDIAN QUESTION
commissioner Jones Has a New
Plan.
WOULD TEACH SELF RELIANCE
Adjustment of Reservation and Food and
Protection Of Person and Property
Among Suggestions in Re-
port Just Made Public.
WOULD TEACH SELF RELIANCE

WASHINGTON. Nov. 25.--The an
nual report of Secretary Hitchcock of
the interior department is made pub
lie. 1t indorses the conclusions sub
mitted by Commissioner of Indian At
fairs Jones regarding the present In
dian education system. The secretary
says:
THE management Of the Indian serv-
ice in the field and in the schools, while
satisfactory under existing conditions,
is not deemed to be the best for the
welfare OF the Indians, and different
methods will hereafter be adopted
This policy contemplates requiring the
working by Indian allottees able to do
so OF a fair portion of lands allotted
them and the contributing by their
industry to their own support of all
not entirely disqualified by actual dis
ability, physical or otherwise, the dis
continuance of the issue of ratlons to
those able to support themselves and
the extension to the latter of every
possible aid for their well being and
encouragement, the Inauguration Of
industrial training in all schools where
not now established, SO that such In
dams of both sexes may be taught the
trades or industries adapted to their
circumstances"
The income of the various Indian
tribes from all sources during the year
aggregated $5,33S, $50, a falling off of
$2G0952, mostly due to the expiration
of treaty obligations.
The report says that the act of June
3, 1887, known as the timber and stone
act, If not repealed or radically amend
ed will result ultimately in the com
plete destruction of the timber ON the
unappropriated and unreserved public
lands.
The time has arrived, according TO
the secretary, when reservoirs must be
built and managed as part of nation
al system Of forest and water conser-
vation They cannot be successful If
maintained, however, without a thor
ough system of forest protection. The
introduction of practical forestry on
the forest reserves has now begun.
The general policy as announced in an
outline memorandum to the commits
sioner of the land office is that addi-
tional forest reserves, with boundaries
drawn to liberate the smallest amount
of scrip should be created during this
winter, the good will of residents in
or near the reserves should be gained,
forest fires guarded against, and the
reservoir of the reserves should be
~ tfx..
use of the people. Systematic investi-
cation designed to make them accessi-
he and useful should be undertaken,
and each forest reserve and part there
of should be dealt with on its own
merits.
Legislation to correct the abuses that
have grown up in the practice of lieu
selections of land is urged, The report
highly indorses the work and recon-
mendation of Commissioner of Pen
sions Evans and says that the veterans
have no more sincere friend than their
comrade, the commissioner. who him
self served rs an enlisted man in the
armies OF the Union, and he but main
tains and defends the honor of their
patriotic service when, refusing to ig-
more both the letter and spirit of the
law, he declines to permit the impostor,
whether claimant or agent, to share in
the bounty provided for the veteran
and those dependent upon him."
On the question of reclamation of the
arid region the secretary says:
THE Investigations which have been
carried on demonstrate that there Is no
one question now before the people of
the United States of greater impor-
lance than the conservation of the wa
ter supply and the reclamation of the
arid lands of the west and their settle
rent by men who will actually build
homes and create communities"
1t is recommended that construction
be commenced at once as follows:
The San Carlos storage reservoir in
Arizona. retaining 100000 acres or
more of public land at an estimated
cost of 81 ,040,0 900; reservoirs in the ST.
ezra Nevada in California for reclaim
ing desert lands in Nevada and the di-
version of the St Mary river into the
head waters OF Milk river in Montana.
An appropriation of $250,000 is asked
to carry on the photographic work on
the geological survey.