The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-25
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
ITS WORK DISCUSSED BY sECRE-
TARY ETHAN ALLEN HITCHCOCK.
Recommendation of the Indian and
Pension COmmissiOners IndOrsed-
Irrigation Proposed.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4-The annual
report of Ethan Allen Hitchcock. secre-
tary of the interior, has been submitted
to the President. The report reviews the
work of all the bureaus and institutions
under the department, the principal OF
which are the General Land Office. the
Pension Bureau, the Patent Office, the Cen
sus Bureau, office of railroad affairs, the
Territories, Indian and park reservations
and the eleemosynary institutions. The
reports of all these bureaus and offices
have been printed from time TO time.
The secretary indOrses the conclusions
submitted by COMMISSIONS of Indian Az
fairs Jones regarding the present Indian
education system. Mr.. Hitchcock says:
THE management of the Indian service
in the field and in the schools, while salts
factory 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 contem-
plates requiring the working by Indian al
lOttees able TO do so of a fair portion of
lands allotted them and the contributing
by their industry 10 their own support of
all not entirely disqualified by actual dis
ability. physical or otherwise. the discon-
~tinuanc Of the issue of rations to those
able to support themselves, and the extern
sion 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 Indians OF both sexes may be taught
the trades or Industries adapted TO their
circumstances.
INCOME OF INDIANS.
The income Of the various Indian tribes
from ali sources during the year aggre-
1afoI e. 99S coo n S,rfg-~ - - COCO 40 -
~ due TO the expiration of treaty obliga-
tons. The curriculum Of Indian schools,
the secretary says. should be restricted TO
the common-schoo courses. and the fur
Their extension of nonreservation schools
should not be permitted. In the future
full leasing privileges will be confined 10
those whose disability or inability actually
disqualifes them from working any part OF
their allOtments. and in a lesser degree to
those whose disability prevents their work
Ing more than a small part OF their allOt-
mtnts. those conditions 10 be clearly
shown. all other a~llottees 10 be required
TO work at least forty acres or their allOt-
ment
The Dawes committee to the five civilized
tribes IN Indian Territory reports that the
rolls OF membership OF only one nation. the
SeminOles. SO far have been approved. and
their lands have not yet been entirely al
lotted. The time cannot be fixed with GER
tainty when the enrolment OF the four re-
maining tribes will be finished. There ia a
vast amount OF labor yet TO be performed
by the commission In investigating the
claims OF applicants for enrolment and
equalizing the value OF the lands already
classified, and Secretary Hitchcock recon-
mends that the commission be increased by
four members. He also favors a mOdidca-
ton or the law requiring distribution Of
lands on the basis Of equalized valuation
and that a definite period be fixed for the
completion or all the work pertaining TO
the allotment OF lands among the ndian
IN the Territory.
The report says that the act OF June ,.
1857, known as the timber and stone act. II
not repealed or radically amended will re-
suit ultimately IN the complete destruction
OF the timber on the unapprOpFiated and
unreserved public lands. The time has ar
rived, according 10 the secretary, when
reservoirs must be built n managed as a