The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-07-29

the attitude OF the agent mas result
ed in the refusal of the Indians to
part with any of their land, because
they have been led to believe such
sales will net them only an income
of $40 a month, whereas the facts
are that they would be permitted to
sell 60 of each so acres, by applying
for a water right under the Waparo
project, and would be allowed the
money thus obtained in improving
the 30 acres reserved.
That Superintendent Lynch of the
agency has been advised of this fact
by the Indian office at Washington
as long ago as May 9. with instruc-
tons to assure the Indians that they
would be allowed funds for improve
ments, is known here, and it is also
known that the agent was asked 10
report ON the matter.
What has been done, if anything
however. is not known. and due %
the vital importance to the commun-
ity of having the land irrigated IS
soon as possible, the unexplained de-
lay has made the situation tense. 1t
is thought that the development CT
the land is being unnecessarily post
poned and that many Indians are
living in want and suffering when
water on the land would assure them
good rentals.
II. VI. Gilbert Writes Letter.
II. NJ. Gilbert of Toppenish. large
" interested in the territory. took
up the matter with Washington.
III ;,,, L I tbA
Indian commissioner. Mr.. Gilbert
expressed hope that the reclama-
ton service and the Indian depart
ment could get together on a work
ing scheme and said the present sit
uaton was deplorable: the present
partial and inadequate system of IT.
rigation doing almost as much harm
as benefit. He took up the difficulty
of obtaining the consent of the In
dams to sale of their land and said
this consent had been difficult to ob-
tain because the Indians had been
continually advised that the money
derived from the sale would be de-
posted in the banks at 2 per cent.
interest and that they would draw
only $40 month
He further said. 1.-THE Indians
generally believe. and a number of
them have advised me. that the In
dian agent emphatically tells them
that hey can only get $40 month.
| have talked with a large number
of Indians and | am confident they
will give their consent at once, sign
ing up for a water right with the
reclamation service, provided an ar
will be made whereby
they can secure the money derived
from the sale for the following pur-
poses: A. payment of water right,
b. payment for lumber and materi II
for building home on the 20-acre
tract reserved; c. for machinery, seed
and fencing, for the 20-acre tract re-
served.
Sure Indians Will Consent.
You can see this matter of con-
sent depends entirely on the attitude
of the Indian agent, who is supposed
to represent the Indian department.
If he assures the Indians they can
have the money for the purposes
mentioned above they would give
their consent
\ OHeItSSllldl1 w. -. JpI'o WIN "
Mr.. Gilbert, under date of May IS,
as follows:
MY Dear Mr.. Gilbert: Upon re
ceipt of your letter of April "a ! i'm
mediately took up the matter with
the commissioner of Indian affairs
and hand you herewith copy of letter
of instructions addressed to Superin-
tendent Lynch. which have just re-
ceived from Mr.. Leupp. This will
advise YOU of the attitude of the
Indian office in the matter. Chief
Engineer Code also has been re-
uuested by the office to take action
to remedy the conditions of which
YOU complain in connection with the
distribution of water from the pres
ent system. Trusting this will De
satisfactory to you. am, Very sim
cerely yours, w. l.. JONES.
The letter to Superintendent
Lynch TO which Congressman Jones
referred was dated May 8. and was
signed by C. F. Larrabee, acting
commissioner.
After a discussion of the laws rela-
tive to the sale of Indian lands, this
letter continues:
"The reclamation service desires
that the allotted lands which can be
irrigated from the Wapato project
be brought under the reclamation
act, and this is understood to be nee
essary TO the success of the project"
Mr.. Larrabee goes on to tell the
substance of the letter written by
Mr.. Gilbert, quoted in part above,
and then in discussing the act of
1906, relative to sales of Indian
lands. says:
From the payments received the
annual charge for the construction
and maintenance Of the irrigation
system on account of the land to be
retained is TO be withheld, and the
balance deposited In the treasury to
the credit of the allottee, and may
be paid 10 him, If in the opinion Of
the secretary it will be for his bene-
fit.
THE Improvement of the 20-acre
tracts TO be retained by the allottees
is believed TO be the best use TO
which the money In excess of the
reclamation charge can be supplied,
and | have no doubt the secretary