The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-04-05
INDIANS ARE
NOT PLEASED
Wapato Project Is Not Recon-.
mending Itself According to
Letters Sent
THINK THAT THE DITCH
CAN BE BUILT OTHERWISE
And Are Discussing the Matter of
Using the Tribal Funds to Have
Water Obtained by the Indian
Service

yakima Indians, two hundred and
nine of them it is said, have received
letters indicating conditions under
which they can receive the privilege
of leasing their own lands. Whether
the number is correct the Herald does
not know but the Indians themselves
consider the letters another effort to
bring them in under the Wapato pro-
ject and they are becoming more stub
born than ever. One Of them, Louis
Mann, writing to a friend on receipt
of letter regarding the signing up
for water says. II will never under
any circumstances do that. l will
under no law sign away my little
piece of allotted property which was
given to me and is mine today ana
in which I feel a personal interest.
Not under the sun will let govern
ment spectators and land sharks get
fat with my little piece Of land which
I own. l will see my Indians and
talk over this matter of signing away
our lands"
Herewith is a copy of a letter re-
ceived by Mr.. Mann:
Last fall l submitted to the Indian
office for approval, list containing
the names of a number of the most
intelligent Industrious and worthy
Indians, recommending that they be
given the privilege Of leasing their
own and minor children's allotments
Your name was on this list.
Recently the list was returned II
me advising that no Indian allottees
who had not signed a petition for the
purchase Of a water right under the
proposed Wapato project would h.
considered competent and be granted
authority to lease his or her land. As
you have not signed such a petition.
write this to explain to you that !
would be glad to re-submit your name
to the office. recommending you as
one competent to lease your own
land; but in order to do so it will be
necessary that you sign one of the
water right petitions in question. If
you do not thoroughly understand the
nature of these petitions, l would
suggest that you call at the agency
whenever convenient, when / will
take pleasure in explaining it to yor
in detail.
your early and favorable consid'
Grafton of this matter will. in my
opinion, be to your best interest. 4
blank is enclosed herewith for you.
use, if desired.
every respectfully,
IS. A. M. YOUNG,
"Supt. and Special Dist. Agent.
"P. S.-This only applies to land with.
in the boundary of said project"
Men who appear to be well posted
say that the Indians will never sign
up their lands for the water Of the
Wapato project. They believe they
are entitled to such water as they
need for their land and If there is
sufficient water to irrigate the 81
acres of an allotment they do not see
why they should be compelled to give
up a portion Of the land. The idea
they say, is one which they will never
adopt under the present conditions
In fact, it Is said. there Is a move
ment on foot to have the Wapato
ditch turned over, if possible from the
reclamation service to the Indian
service. The Ind ans have been
watching the drainage work in pro-
gress on the reservation and are ask
ing why it is not possible to dig the
irrigation ditch and pay for it from
tribal funds which would better he
used in that way than allowed to lie
idle. They are agitating this matter.