The Parker post., 1913-03-15
WANT LEASES
In RESERVE
MOVE STARTED TO HAVE SUR
PLUS LANDS OF RESERVATION
LEASED IN 4o.AcRE TRACTS TO
WHITE SETTLERS.

The question of leasing the un
allotted lands of the Colorado River
reservation has been the chief topic
Of discussion among the people of
Parker and the Indians belonging to
the reservation for the past week or
ten days. According to the rules and
regulations of the Indian department
it is necessary that the consent OF
the tribal council shall first be OBJ
tanned for leases on an Indian reser-
vation, and upon such consent the
matter is then referred to the depart
ment for approval or disapproval.
Believing that leases in 40-acre
units would result in settling up the
reservation within a short time and
hasten the opening of the land set
tied up in this manner. The gov
ernment pumping plant, which START
ed up Thursday for a continuous run,
. capable of supplying water for
several thousand acres of land in ad-
dition to the lands allotted to the
Indians. By adding another unit to
the Plant, which could be done at a
comparatively small cost, the acre
age upon which water could be de-
l:vered would be doubled.
From all information obtainable
there appears to be no doubt but that
lea>erS of the land would be able to
secure water from the government
plant at nominal cost. The revenu
derived in this manner by the gov
erhment would make the plant self
sustaining, or, in other words, 1t
would pay all operating expenses,
which is a strong argument in favor
Of furnishing water. to the settlers.
II X also argued that such a move
would be of inestimable value to the
Indians themselves, as they would
receive the benefit of the revenue
derived from leasing the lands.
the lands would be improved by
white settlers and this, in addition
TO the sums paid for the rent of the
land, would enhance the revenue to
be secured under such a lease much
greater than is being obtained at
present from the grazing leases.
In many ether ways the Indians
would benefit by the issuance of
small farm leases. The new settlers
would he in need of labor and no
better laborers can be secured than
among the Indians themselves, thus
providing work for all who wanted
l. As the population of both the
town and the valley would be
largely Increased by such move the
Indians would find a ready market
for their farm produce. AS the acre
age under cultivation by the Indians
is much greater this year than ever
before they are liable to find no To-
cal market for much of their product
unless some means is adopted to at
tract more people into the country.
A number of the citizens met with
day morning at the old agency build
ings, and through the interpreter the
proposition of leasing the surplus
lands of the reservation in 40acre
units was discussed. AS the Ques-
tion demanded some little thought
and study by members of the
tribe no definite decision was de-
cided upon, but the Indians stated
that they would discuss the matter
among themselves during the next
fnW days and inform the delegation
when they were ready for another
pow-wow
Ply securing the consent of the
Indians it is believed that the depart
ment will readily grant permission
to lessees to farm the surplus lands.
From every point of view the propO
sition appears feasible, and it is be-
Ieved that all parties concerned, the
Indians and lessees, would be greatly
benefited.