The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-08
CATO SELLS ON
INDIAN MATTERS

Washington, Aug. 8. - Cato Sells
commissioner of Indian affairs, made
the following statement concerning
the Indian appropriation bill just
passed by congress-, which carries ap-
propriations amounting to about SILL
500, 900, $1,5 00 900 Of this amount be-
ing appropriated from Indian funds:
Commissioner Sells says the bill is
the result of very careful c~onsidera-
ton by the senate and house Indian
affairs committees. Altogether, it is
considered one of the best, # not the
best, Indian appropriation bills enact
ed for a number of years.
The Indian committees Of congress
with the cooperation of tho Indian
bureau have in this bill worked out
constructive legislation for tho In
dams of the country along progressive
lines. For example, for the first time
in the history of the government there
has been appropriated a large amount
of money for Improvement In the
| health conditions Of the Indians and
providing. hospital facilities for them.
Three hundred thousands dollar are
appropriated for this purpose, $780,
900 of which will be used for con-
structing hospitals at a cost not to
exceed $4,000 each. In addition to this
the Indian bureau Is now constructing
three hospitals. for. the Sioux Indians
ito cost approximately $4,000 each on
the Rosebud, Pine Ridge and Shey-
enne reservations. An appropriation
is also made in the Indian bill for a
hospital in the Chappeway country in
Minnesota and $4,000 appropriated
therefor out OF Chippewa Indian
funds. The health conditions of the
Indians have been found to be deplor-
able and little attention has heretofore
bveen given to correcting this condt-
ton. The appropriation in the cur
rent Indian bill will be a Ions step for
ward in solving this important prob
lem, .''- .
The appropriation for educational
pos for the Indians is consider
ably increased and special provision
made for the education of deaf, dumb
and blind children, who have hereto
fore been unprovided for. There is
also a specific appropriation for edu-
cational purposes among the Papago
and Navajo Indians. These Indians
several thousand Indian children
among these Indians are without
school facilities.
On the recommendation Of the In
dian bureau large reimbursable appro-
priations have been provided in this
bill for industrial work among Indians.
These reimbursable appropriations will
amount to more than $500, 600. The IN
dams have heretofore been allotted
land but they have not been provided
with tools and general farm equip
ment. This appropriation will enable
the commissioners Of Indian affairs to
improve stock conditions and place
herds Of cattle on a number OF indian
reservations. It Is expected that this
appropriation will aid very materially
the industrial activities among the IN
dams Of the country and go far
towards developing their self-suppors.
This bill carries a somewhat reduced
amount for irrigation work on Indian
reservations and contains a clause
which will require detailed informa-
ton regarding each of these projects
to be furnished congress at it's next
session. The Indian irrigation projects
have heretofore been appropriated for
and constructed largely without ade-
quate detailed information and 1T is ex-
pected at the next session of congress
that the Indian Office will furnish a
complete statement regarding each OF
these projects SO that congress may
have a thorough understanding of con-
ditions OF each Of the reservations
where irrigation projects are being
constructed. 1t is also expected that
the information obtained from these re-
ports will result in procuring adminis-
trative and legislative action which will
protect more securely the water rights
of the Indians OF the country.
There is included in the bill an ap-
preparation or $4,000 to cover salaries
and expenses of probate attorneys
der the direction of the commissioner
In the working out OF probate reforms
for the protection Of the property of
Indian children in Oklahoma, which.
will be done in harmony with rules Of
probate procedure adopted at a con-
ference OF the county judges with the