Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-14
indians Ask for the Property
Rights of Citizens.
TALKS TO CORN RAISERS
President Tells Boys They Have
Shown South a Lesson.
PENSION NEEDS DISGUISE.
Committee From Grand Army Pre-
sents Views at White House.
Jack Urged for Judge.

| delegation Of Indians, some of them
dressed in their gaudy colors and native
costume, called to see President Taft al
the White House today to present a re-
quest for the reorganization of the Indian
office. They presented memorial of the
Brotherhood of North American Indians,
which is now in session in this city
Richard G. Adams of Dewey. Okla, Is
grand sachem of the organization. Among
the picturesque visitors were Chief No
Shirt fthe Walla Walla tribe and Chief
Moiese of the F'lathead tribe
We have reached the conclusion says
the memorial. that the time has ar
rived when there should be a radical re-
vision and remodeling of the Indian serv-
ice. AS at present managed we do not
hesitate to say that the Indians are not
fairly dealt with or given reasonable and
proper opportunity to better their condl-
ton and lot in life. They should he per-
mitted to manage their own affairs, as
are other citizens of the United States.
a more liberal and consistent policy to-
ward them and with them should be
adopted. Their cooperation should be in
vited and they should be allowed to as.
sist in working out their own problems
Want Property Rights.
The delegation asked the President to
urge upon Congress the desirability OF
enacting such legislation as will give the
Indians additional property rights and
permitting them to greater extent 10
manage their own affairs. The Congress.
the Indians claim, has abolished the pa
ternalistic policy of the federal govern
ment toward the Indians, and has con-
ferred upon them the burdens and re
sponsibilitieS of citizenship without It's
corresponding rights.
Your petitioners trust" the memorial
concludes, that you may find time 10
give these matters serious consideration
We believe them of vital Importance to
our people The management of our own
affairs looking to our ultimate fndepend-
ence, is of great concern TO our nations.
We therefore trust, Mr.. President that
you may see Your way clear 10 recoiii :
mend to the Congress the enactment OF
such legislation as will give us the prop
erty rights and privileges to which we
are entitled and that you will see tnat
our affairs are administered In more
liberal and constructive spirit. We be-
lieve. Mr. President, in your wisdom and
Judgment and We trust you Will grant
our appeal"
"Corn" Boys See President.
President Taft today told the squad of
southern boys who have won prizes for
premium yields of corn throughout that
section that if the south generally could
learn the lesson these boys had learned
so early in life the people there would not
have to depend upon fifteen-cent cotton to
feel themselves prosperous. The President
took deep interest in the call of the
twenty odd youngsters, and asked them
manys questions about their work. He
made pertinent inquiries as to the cost OF
the Yields of corn made by the boys, and
emphasized the Importance of low cost
of yield in corn and everything else.
The President was told by the boys
and o. B. Martin, the representative OF
the Department of Agriculture VISA &C
companied them to the White House,
that six of the boys had made over 2'D
bushels of corn each per acre at cost
of little over 10 cents a bushel.
The boys We're attentive to the remarks
of the President and went away talking
about his knowledge of farm work. They
said that they would attempt next year
to beat their records of this year. Prof
Martin and Representative Lee of Geor-
gia, who has offered many prizes in the
past for juvenile corn growing, said that
next year more than 6O,OOO southern boys
will go into corn raising for the prizes
that will be offered by the Department OF
Agriculture The boys who have won
the prizes this year have done well. One
of the prizes was worth nearly 500 in
cash, and the average value is, some
thing like $500 each. Besides this the
boys will be able to sell their corn at
high prices for seed.