The Irish standard., 1912-03-09
SCIENTIST TALKS ON indians
SAYS Ills REQUEST FOR SETTER
CONDITIONS WAS REFUSED.
Declares Lumber Companies Sought
to Prevent Delivery Of His
Affidavts.

Washington, March 7.-Warren
King Moor"Eead. an ethnoogist and
scientist "f Andovsr, Mass, ana a
member Of the Indian commission. ap-
pcared before the Graham Investigate
Ing committee and explained at length
his experiences among tho White
Earth Indians, whore he went 10 give
relief and to gather statistics to pres
ent to the Indian Office in Washington
80 that they might aid in helping this
Northwestern tribe
Mr.. Moorehcad said that in 1908 he
went to the Indian authorities in
Washington and told them Of the bad
state OF affairs a,!cn2 the Chippewas
In the vicinity Of l.cech Lake. Cass
Lake and Red Lake. Mimi He asked
to be sent there as n special agent
to ameliOratc their condition, and was
greatly disappointed when refused
Subsequently. said Mr.. Moorehea1, the
bureau sent three agents to the White
Earth to make Il report on the situa-
| ton. but none had yet been made.
Finally, with the aid of funds
from the Indian commission, of which
am member, and other funds do
mated by philAnthrOpsts. ! went to
White Earth in 1909" said the wit
ness. land conducted an investigation
| found that the Indians were sick
and diseased and that they had been
swindled ont of their lands. No full
report Of this condition, It seems. has
ever been made to the government,
, and | was opposed on many sides. 7
gathered 100 atlidavits concerning the
land situation to take to Washington
was informed that the lumber inter
! ests would attempt to intercept me
and prevent delivery of tho atIidayits,
but by leaving over ro,lnd.a bout
route ! got out safely.
! I'm April. 1909 | called on Com
missioner Lcnpp and begged him 10
establish q hospital for the White
Earth Indians, and called attention
10 the unsanitary condition of the Pine
Point boarding school, and the pray
nlcnce there of trachoma. urged
that the palipcrs be fed by the govern
ment. but my appeals were not ap.
proved of by Assistant Commissioner
Valentine"
Mr.. Moorchead next told Of tho
Darwin Hall case" Darwin Hall, he
explained, was a state senator in Min
/ nesota DESTROYS of being appointed
Chippewa commissioners.
! "Mr. Hall had nothing in his
favor" said Mr.. Moorchead, but he
was recommended by Senator Moses
Clanp. lie opposed my Investigations
| on the White Earth reserve and was
plainly in sympathy with the interests.
He was appointed and instructed to
move the Mile Lac Indians to a better
locality. He had them assemble in
camp, preparatory to being moved, and
then deserted them. leaving them con-
gregated in camp for several weeks
without sufficient food or shelter. He
was removed after an exposure OF his
conduct was made before the Indians
Rights association at Boston"
Mr.. Moorchead said that the minors
In the White Earth schools had been
given scarcely any protection, and as
q consequence had been swindled. He
said the neglect of the superintendent
had been such that forgery and even
perjury had been practiced in swind
ling the minors. He made plea fol
immediate medical aid, and for legisla
ton which will tie up the Indians
property so 1t cannot be conveyed out
of their possession.