Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-10
LANE WOULD SET
THE INDIAN FREE
Secretary Recommends Ending
Wardship of U. S.-His De-
partment's Work.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10-A definite
constructive policy for the Indian,
by which he may be transformed
from a ward of the government to
a successful and integral part of the
American citizenry; a discussion of
the development of the West, and
review of the achievements of the
last year, are contained in the an
nual report of Secretary Franklin X.
Lane, of the Interior Department,
sent yesterday to President Wilson.
Three things, says Secretary
Lane, of unusual purport have
marked the life of this department
during the past year-the passing of
the Cherokee Nation, the opening of
Alaska and the advancement of
series of measures aimed to promote
the further development of the
West"
Secretary Lane discusses the In
whether lit is for the benefit of the
Indian himself that the present aims
house policy" should continue.
THE American conscience, our
sense of justice, our traditions, in
fact, will not permit the adoption of
a drastic course that would cast the
Indian upon world for which he is
ill-prepared," he says. yet 1 am of
the opinion that 1t would be better,
far better, to sever adj ties between
the Indian and the government, give
every man his own and let him go his
way to success or destruction, rather
than keep alive in the Indian the be-
lief that he is to remain a ward of
the government.
The way out is gradually and
wisely to put the Indian out. Our
goal is the free Indian. The orphan
asylum idea must be killed in the
mind of the Indian and white man.
The Indian should know that he Is
upon the road to enjoy or suffer full
capacity.
at is my conclusion, after as intl-
mate study as practicable Of his
nature and needs, that we should
henceforth make a positive and sys-
tematic effort to cast the full bur-
den of independence and responsible
ity upon an increasing number Of the
Indians of all tribes. I find that
there is statute which significantly
empowers the secretary of the in
terror to do this in individual cases.
That authority is adequate. | intend
to use such authority.
In 1880 the problem was how to
get the Indian out of the way. To-
day the problem is how to make him
really a part OF the nation. The
man who can do for himself Is the
man to be released. And he is the
man who thinks not In terms Of the
Indians yesterday, but in terms of
the Indians tomorrow.
"In my report Of last year 1 sug-
gested q series Of measures for the
development of Western resources.
i nese measures We're one pro-
viding for a government railroad sys-
TEN in Alaska. an Alaskan coal-leas
ing bill, new reclamation act, a bill
providing for a new method of open
ing and developing coal, phosphate,
oil and potash fields, and a water
power bill. All of these measures
have passed the House of Representa-
tives. and the first three have become
law. +r ~
Secretary Lane adverts with notable
frankness to embarrassments which
he has encountered.
ut cannot be unknown to you,' he
says, that there is throughout the
country. more especially in the West
ern States, a very real fear of what
is called the bureaucracy of Wash
ington. This Is said to be a system or
organized machine the spirit of which
is to oppose action or to effect mega
tive action, so wound round and round
with the red tape of officialdom as to
resemble barbed-wire ENHANCEMENT.
1t is a matter Of no immediate con-
Germ how much basis there is for this
belief. The presence of the belief
makes it real problem and the de-
struction of the belief a necessity
Secretary Lane points out the ac-
complishments of the several bureaus
of the interior department during the
last year