Arizona republican., 1911-11-20
NATIVES INTEREST
 CHICAGO INDIAN
LETTER FROM DR. CARLOS MON TEZUMA, AN ARIZONA APACHE.
He Writes Phoenix Friend Regarding Mcdowell Affairs and Govern
 ment Policies.


 stolen in a raid on his people by the Pimas. sold to an Italian photographer of Chicago, grew up in that city, talk ing care of himself from the age of thirteen years, and eventually gradu- ated from the state university and a medical school and is now well known stomach specialist, Dr. Carlos MonteZuma, of the Windy City" He was here in October Investigating the question now agitating the bureau of Indian affairs at Washington, D. C., and the Indians who are located on the Mcdowell reservation and whom the aforesaid bureau is trying to persuade to remove to the Salt River valley.
 The noted Chicago Apache doctor spends the greater part of large in come in aiding the Indians of the United States, not necessarily Apaches but any red man who is in need of a defender. A portion of a recent let ter from pr. Montezuma to d Phoenix friend regarding the question of re- moval from Mcdowell follows:
 We contend that when the govern ment purchased the land embraced within the Fort Mcdowell reservation for the white settlers. that it was bought solely for the Mohave- Apache and the act creating the purchase of this reservation so states. and the deeds from the white settlers ir each instance conveys not only the land, but all acquired water rights.
 In regard to priority of settlement on Mcdowell or in Salt River valley, we claim and so does the Indian bur- eau that the Indians were there first and the settlers came later.
 It is absurd for the settlers in the Salt River valley to say that the In- dianS have received the water bene fits simply through their .sufferance" To illustrate what I mean, I quote Congressman Graham, chairman of the Investigating committee of the in terior department. After the commis sioner of Indian affairs, Valentine. had concluded somewhat this statement: That the Indians had no rights to anything and therefore the government was in no way obligated to the In- dians" Congressman Graham said:
 What! were they off the earth be- fore they got on McDowell?"
 The question with the Apaches and Pimas is one of fair dealing. Taking everything into consideration. with perfect understanding of the matters involved, I cannot submit to anything but fairness, not only for the sake of q l,a httt fn mi tions on the part of those Indians children.
 Although the Apaches and the Pi- mas are much handicapped, we must give them the credit that they are splendid workers and that there is hope that they will take on the new life with which they are confronted at this hour. But to force and deprive them of rights and send them to a meager patch of five acres, when they own thousands. does not look fair to me No Yankee ranchman in Salt River valley would tolerate such an outrage for one moment. There is something wrong in Denmark some where.
 Removing the McDowell Indians to Salt River valley and there allotting them five acres can only mean inten- sive farming, and it certainly is with out any reasonable thought on the part of anybody who plans intensive farming for these Indians. It goes without saying that it requires capi- tai and practical knowledge of up to date methods in agriculture to make such farming pay; all of which, the benighted reservation Indian lacks. It is not the fault of the Indian, it is the fault of the reservation system which is founded on false premises. Had he been taught many years ago. as he was ready then, instead of being huddled on reservations, he would now be equal to take care of himself on the scale of intensive farming. l fear there is something else besides the best interests of the Indian back or this five acre allotment on Salt river.
 To leave it to the discretion of the of Indian affairs to all lot five to forty acres of irrigable land to each Indian is faulty and he should be deprived of that power If the res ervation belongs to the Indians. the allotment should be more liberal and the Indians should have their say in the matter and thus save litigation in the future.
 I desire at this time to extend my hearty congratulations to the new, lusty state of Arizona and congratu- late her for what she stands for; and wish to direct her attention to the Indians within her borders.
 There are more Indians in Arizona than in any other state in the union. If these Indians are kept on the res ervation, or as wards of the govern ment. they will be a drawback on your states progress. This. the state does not desire. To start right the people of Arizona should urge the gov to do away with the Indian within the state. and per init the Indians to become citizens, to pay taxes. to vote and to work as in dependent men, shoulder to shoulder with his neighbor. for the progress, profit and development of the state and it's wonderful resources.
 Leave ii with the Indian This idea