Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-31
POLLOCK SAYS 10 WILL WIN
superintendent of 0mahas Says In
dians' Interests Are Safe.
PLANS WILL WORK OUT FOR THEM
He Returns from Washington After
Laying situation Before Depart
ment and VIII Now Report
TO the Agency.

while in washington I put the case OF
the Omaha Indians before Mr.. Abbott. the
assistant commissioner, and Mr.. Valentine,
the commissioner. and after discussing all
the plans they have for the Omaha agency
I am convinced that IN the end the re-
suits will work out for the greatest bene-
fit to the Omaha Indians said A. q
Pollock. superintendent Of the Omaha
agency. who was in Omaha Thursday en-
route to the agency from Washington.
while I appreciate the confidence ex-
pressed in me by the Indians, and. while
1 have a strong attachment for them, ii
would not be possible for me to remain
with them permanently, because of the
condition Of my health and the climate.
Some Of the chief complaints the In
dams have had were in the matter of the
delay caused by the restriction Of the de-
partment in the past which made IL neces-
sary for the superintendent to approve
every expenditure Of an Indian and to
supervise every business transaction which
affected his land or money held in trust
by the government and in most cases for
authority to be granted from the depart
ment in Washington before the deal could
be contaminated.
Delays Always IrIsOme.
Even with the best possible administra-
ton which we could give them at the
Omaha agency, the delays in most instances
have been very irksome to the Omahast
who have had the advantage OF more edu-
cauon and business experience than most
OF the Indian tribes of the United States.
An of these matters were explained to
Mr.. Abbott and he is making a strenuous
effort to so amend the regulations of the
department that business may be much
more easily transacted. One ruling alone
which he has put in effect within the last
few days will accomplish a good deal in
this line. This rule is that the superintend-
ent may at his discretion authorizes ex-
peEditures not exceeding SO, and thir
should cover a multitude OF sins.
Arrangements have been made at the
Indian office enabling the clerk in charge
at the Omaha agency to handle most every
kind OF business that the superintendent
ordinarily handles and 1t will not be neces-
sary for the Omahas to go to the Winnie
bago agency for any OF their business.
When I reacn the Omaha agency 1 shall
try to explain to the Indians as fully as
possible the plans OF the department, which
are for their welfare, and 1 believe that
when DR.. Susan La Fleshe Picotte, Hiram
Chase and the other leaders among the
OmahRs fully understand all of Mr.. Alb
bott's plans and how earnestly ne is try
ing to help the Omahas, they viii then
JOIN hands with the department and helE
carry out his plans.
VIII Remain at Agency.
Il Will remain AZ the Omaha agency as
a member OF the competency commission
and will have practical charge OF affair.
there for the next month or two and shall
keep the department advised as TO th'
wishes of the Indians and cooperate witt
Superintendent KneaIe IN seeing that th'
wants Of the Omahas are properly looked
after.
The Omaha Indian competency commits
7 sion which is now IN session at tbs
Omaha agency, is gathering data for tn
purpose OF determining which Omaha In
dams are competent u handle their owl
business affairs, which are partially com
p petent and those thar are totally incom
( petent As soon as this report is submitte'
TO W-ashington IL is expected ali held Il
be competent snail be released from a.
/ governmental restriction and their Ian,
E and money turned over to them. Those VIII,
I are partially competent viii be above,
p 10 make their own leases and given a larg
amount OF discretion in their business al
j fairs. Those neid % De Incompetent wal
p still be under the projecting arm OF tn
government, which viii IOOk after thei
welfare.
, when this whole problem shall hRv
0 been worked out and il is hoped this en-
will be reached auring the neXt feN
monthsJ l believe every indian On tn
Omaha reservation Will De entirely Saus
e fled"