The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-09-16
WHAT HAS BEEN LOST
BY Democratic False Economic 1eth-
DDS


two successive years surveys of mineral
resources in Alaska were DELAYED and
prevented by neglect of the Democrats.
Failure to pass the appropriations for
these surveys in time to equip the ex-
perts from the Geological Survey made
the work impossible.
Reports from the chief of the Alaska
Mineral resources Division furnish an
official account of how this important
activity was hindered by the Negligent
delay of the Democratic House
I'm 1912 the appropriation for the
continuation of the investigation of
Mineral resources of Alaska was not
made until August 81" says the ad-
minlstrative report for that year. LAS
a consequence Of this delay but little
could be accomplished, and the pro-
jects undertaken could be carried out
only at relatively heavy expenses.
Only three parties out of the twelve
eventually dispatched to Alaska had a
full seasons field work. Several other
parties were dispatched under tempo
rary grants, but the funds were so in
adequate that the parties were under
manned and but poorly equipped. Sew
eral important pieces of work had TO be
abandoned.
Appropriations for the same work
was delayed the next year. The Of
fetal description of the way this en-
barassed the Alaska surveys is even
more striking, the report declaring that
it caused loss of 20 per cent in time,
heavy money loss, and a check in
efficiency that connot be estimated.
The fact that the appropriation was
not made promptly" says the 1918 De-
partment account, much curtailed the
field season of several of the parties
and thereby greatly enhanced the cost
OF the work Ont of a total of IA field
parties, Only had a full seasons work.
The loss in time, due to delay in ap-
preparation, amounted to an average
Of one month, or 29 per cent. for each
of s field parties
"A careful estimate shows that the
actual monetary loss occasioned by the
delay that is, expenditure for which
there was no return-was over Z per
cent. of the total appropriation. There
was also loss of efficiency brought
about by the delay of the field work
and consequent change of plans which
cannot be expressed in figures.
Proper protection against tuberculosis
and trachoma, dread diseases that
threatened the lives and health not
only of American Indians but American
citizens in their vicinity was delayed
an entire year by the Democratic
Congress.
Failure of the Democrats in the first
session of the present Congress to pass
the Indian appropriation bill until late
in the summer prevented the Indian
Bureau from letting contracts for
tuberculosis and trachoma hospitals
promptly, and their construction had to
go over to the following season.
In urging the immediate necessity
for these hospitals, officials from the
Indian tribes might be wiped out if the
raYages of disease among them were
not checked. 1t was also claimed that
the lack of adequate facilities for
quarantine was menace to thousands
of citizens in communities near the
various reservations.
In spite of these alarming warnings.
the passage of the bill was delayed week
after week. The money was still IN
appropriated at the close of the fiscal
year, and twice for periods of two
weeks temporary appropriations were
passed. Under neither of these, how
ever, could anything be done toward
providing the hospitals.
By the time the bill was finally pass
ed, it was too late to secure bids bids
and let contracts for the proposed isola-
ton and sanitary hospitals, and they
were not built until the next year.
This is but one instance OF the many
disastrous effects caused by slovenly
Democratic methods in handling Indian
Appropriations. Not only hospitals but
dornlitories, school buildings, agency
quarters and other similar structures
were set back year IN construction.
Furthermore, the Democrats failed
to pass this years Indian bill at all. A
re-enactment of last years appropria-
tior became necessary, forcing the In
dian Bureau to conduct 1t affairs on
plans nearly two years old, and thus
putting an untold check upon its eff