The Washington times., 1914-12-10
LANE REPORT DEALS
WITH INTERIOR WORK
Indian Bureau, Alaskan DeveI-
opment, and Improvements
Made in the West.

Three things of unusual purport have
marked the life of the Interior Depart
ment during the past year-the passing
IF the Cherokee nation, the opening OF
Alaska, and the advancement of
cries of measures aimed to promote
zoe further development of the West.
This is Secretary Lanes own summar-
alton Of the annual report of his de-
aHrtment placed in the hands of the
resident today
secretary Lane dwells upon the Prob
em OF the Indian wards at great length
aud declares that the Indian problem
Is one of individuals. and that the
Government viii never fulfil its duty
to the Indian until he has been made
disappearing and capable of admins
rcrlng his needs individually. The
Indians. the Secretary says, cannot
be treated rs mass or class. and the
Sume remedy applied sweepingly to
al. The whole problem, to his notion.
IS one of education and inspiration that
sc N lead the Indian TO an ambition
mat will hold n place for him in our
economic civilization
Development of Alaska.
The report OF the governor OF Alaska
Incorporated in part in that OF the
secretary shows that this great Terri
tory has made steady progress during
the fiscal year. Alaska" the report
says, as a country of rich and varied
mineral and other resources. is now
commanding greater attention than at
any time in its history. The develop
ment of lode mines in southeast and
southwest Alaska and in northwest
Alaska continues on an extensive scale,
this being particularly noticeable on
the southern coast, where mining enter
prises of large magnitude are actively
under way
The gold production for the calendar
year. il is shown, will exceed that OF
the past year.
Extensive development is expected
to follow the building of Government
railroads in the Territory Tor which
surveys were made during the sum-
ing population and prosperity are
coming with the railroad develop
ment, and that the Territory IL cap
able OF producing in pay quantities
many minerals, The supply Of which
was cut off by the war.
Secretary Lane declares that there
is something fine and inspiring in
the hiStory-malling epoch begun with
the freeing of the Cherokee. when
the Cherokee nation ceased to exist
some 100000 Indians in the United
States. rhis grand total includes all
who are OF Indian blood or who have
been adopted into the tribes.
Indian Population Figures.
The census figures of 1910 show an
Indian population of 3O4.95O. as con-
trasted. it may be noted. with a pop
ulaticn in 1860 of 254.30O These are
for the most part wards in chancery.
the Government being the chancellor.
They live in large part on reserva-
tions. which are little more than ex-
banded and perhaps somewhat ideal
lied orphan asylums. They have
lands aggregatinC in extent 109, I50
square miles. or a territory equal to
that OF Maine New Hampshire, Yer
mont, Massachusetts. Rhode Island
Kentucky. and Virginia. and worth
by rough estimate. $500 OOO. 900. over
two-thirds Of this land is now held
rs individual farms. the unallotted or
tribal lands being estimated as worth
less than 500. n00. 600.
II an appTsisement were made OF
the fun value Of the tirtberlands and
of tho oil and coal lands. and added
to this was tie valUe OF the herds
and personal property Of the Indians
il is probable that they would be
found 10 have a wealth apprcximat-
Treasury Of the United states has
trust or tribal funds aPproximatinr
sj0,6Oo.neg. while in the banks
throughout the country we have de-
posted to the credit Of individual
Ind ans under our control something
over SIS. 600 100
Caring For the Indian.
The function which this Government
is performing for these Indians IS 70
care for their personal welfare. super
wise their business affairs. improve
their property. hold their moneys. give
n