The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-02
INDIAN EXPERTS
IN WAR Of WORDS
Caustic Correspondence Be
tween Pratt and MCGEE.
"SLANDERER," "THEoRIST"
A Warm Discussion Of the Ethnologist's
Relation to the Red Nan and
His Future.

The Red Man and Helper an organ.
apparently, of the Carlisle Indian School
publishes in a recent issue an extremely
spicy exchange Of views between w 7
MCGEE, chief OF the Department OF An
thropology at the ST. Louis Exposition.
and Gen. r. H Pratt. superintendent of
the Carlisle School.
Mr.. MCGEE addresses General Pratt in
this wise:
Sir: On the second page of The Red
Man and Helper for February u. 1904
1 find, printed in large type. in an ar
dcle over your name, a paragraph con-
timing the following statement:
We invite first a thorough inquiry
into the influences Of ethnoIogists. who
IN all they do persuade the Indian to
remain in and exaggerate his old Indian
life
Why Mr.. MCGEE Censures.
Although this statement may not be
directed at me, the fact Cd that 1 was
for several years associated with the
late Major J. w. Powell as ethnologist
in charge I'm the Bureau of American
Ethnology. in which a large part Of the
ethnologic work OF the country was
conducted; CD that I am president of
the American Anthropoiogical Associa-
ton. which includes practically all
American ethnologists in its member
ship; CD that 1 am one Of the three
commissioners on the part of the United
States in the international commission
OF archaeology and ethnology; and 90
that ] am the chief Of the department
Of anthropology Including ethnology)
in the Universal Exposition at St.
Louis, would seem to warrant me. more
frn ru1r
your statement
"On my own account and on behalf OF
American ethnologists generally, I
brand your statement as wholly false:
and ! challenge you TO adduce a single
utterance. or printed word, or public or
private act justifying your allegation. 1
am; am moved thus squarely TO raise the
issue OF veracity partly by the circum-
stance that when l have in the past
cOurteOusly invited your attention 70
erroneous statements published in the
from you. my corrections received
neither publication nor reply
Then follows a careful statement Of
the ethnologist's attitude toward the In
dian, and then the letter concludes with
this paragraph:
Your inattention to my corrections in
the past warrants me in saying that II
you do not see At 10 publish this cor
rection in your paper or elsewhere as
an evidence Of good faith on your part.
I shall be compelled to deem You a
free 20 publish elsewhere and 10 send
copies TO persons entitled 10 know the
value OF your utterances-"
A Comprehensive Greeting.
General Pratts salutation TO Mr.. Nc
Gee is exhaustive:
ITO w Niece:
THE I was for several years assocI-
ated with the late Major J. w. Powell
as ethnOlOgist in charge In the Bureau
Of American Ethnology;
The I am president Of the American
Anthropological Association. which in
cludes practically all American ethnol-
Ogists:
The I am one Of the three commits
sioners on the part or the United States
IN the international commission OF ar
chacolOgy and ethnology;'
The ! am chief OF the department OF
anthropology Including ethnology) In
the Universal Exposition at St. Louis
st Louis. Mo.
Sir: ] did not notice your former let
ter for obvious reasons. and question a
little whether (on your accounD / had
better notice this one. but have conclud-
ed 70 let you have your own way part
ly because your letter practically con-
firms the paragraph YOU 50 petulantly
and boyishly deny
Peering Through a Crack.
The Indian school attitude toward the
red man IS thus explained in these
terms:
Il do not intend 10 engage in meta
physical controversy with you. which
would be 50 much more I'm your line.
and for which you have so much more
time. but the following IS my general
Idea Of our relative positions:
ne man who takes even one young
Indian by the ehand, leads him to the
border line of his reservation, and finds
or he cam a crack IN the high and
strong fence you ethnologists have so
materially helped 20 build and maintain
around the reservation and the tribe,
and then persuade him to go through
that crack out into the activities OF our
American civilization. and. Just even
tries 10 MI him with "A longing to be-
come a part OF u. is doing what is far
more valuable for God. country. and
humanity than all the good all Of your
kind OF alleged scientific. ethnologicat
theorists have done or may do through
al their alleged discoveries OF alleged
hindering; indurated complexities IN IN
After the signature comes this.
p. 5. Please feel entirely free 10
take any other dire steps IN this mat
ter you think advisable. r. II p"