The Alaska daily empire., 1915-02-24
69ST
 WAIT FOR TITLES

4l A-f 4flssg tsAfA
 WAIT FOR lLES
 An attempt of Representative Ar thur c. Shoup to have the Indian }is- lago situated within The townsite oi sltka plated by che Federal goYern, ment and title allotted Co tho proper owners SO that property might de- sccnd according to the law of the land must Gwait Congressional action before nuition, according to roc cntly rendered opinion of Comm ss' ioner Of the General Land Office Clay Tallmm
 Last July Air. shoup prepared pc dtion to Che Interior Department, in which was set forth tho tangled na- ture of the titles and claims to title to the property in inc Indian village duo Go the peculiar methods of Che ThIineet Indians in distributing es- tates. asking thot the government sur vey che lands. mark ahe boundaries and establish the ownership 10 the various tracts and lots.
 The petition represented that such Q disposition or Che townsite proper ty would work toward Che breaking up of tho clan system Of government and iaeiliot tle Introduction of c.yil. ized customs among the Indians This peatlon was aiencd by fS property owners among the lndiaus. and the prayer og the petitioners, was endors- ed by Gov. ,. T. 4. strong, superln- tendent of Education w. G. Beattie Delegate James Wickersham and tAe Commissioner C Of Education ?. ? clax- ton.
 It vas thought by Delegate W.ck- ersham that the survey and allotment of the lands could be made under a law of Congress providing for the al. iotment Of Indian lands. but which has special reference to lands held out side of townsites
 The petition and endorsements and between Mr. Shoup and others were presented to the Commissioner of the General Land Office
 Wiekersham To Act
 Commissioner Clay Tailman holds that it win require additional leg.sla. tion to make the change possible. The of this fac, was made too late to warrant the Initiation of legis- lation during the present Congress. but Delegate W.ckersham has prom ised to take the matter up at the next session of Congress Mir. Shoup, who has conducted the negotations for the Indians Of Sltka, believes the legislation should be general SO that it would apply to similar conditions at Wraugen and elsewhere
 commiosloners Opinion.
 A copy Of the opinion of Gomm.s- sioner Clay Tallman, which is in the form Of letter addressed to the Of Education. under date of January 20. has been received by MT. shoup It is as follows
 ''I have received your letter dated January D, 1915. transmitting an or- iginal petition signed by 4S men and one woman ciahnng Go be residents of the native indian village within the corporate limits Of the town of Sitka Alaska. and descendants of members of the Indian tribes of that and asking that they may enjoy the benefits Of a seeregation survey not only of their special tomn. site but also Of the individual lots on which their houses are standing for the present and future benefit of their families They hope, through the operation Of 9 survey under the Town site act. to secure individual titles. and terminate the anomalous condi- tion of tribal ownership
 "The same object .s strongly favor cd in a letter dated December %, 1914, to Hon Franklin K. Lane. Secretary of the Interior. by Hon. James Wickersham, Delegate from AL a5ko, and by Arthur G. Shoup, mem ber Of the Alaska Legislature; which letters have also reached this of. flee in inclosure with your own.
 These letters offer cogent reasons why such a course ought to be adopted as the proper means of developing among the people of native descent greater degree of progress as Ameri. can citizens.
 Tn reply l greatly regret that the present state of past legislation for Alaska seems to interpose barrier wh.ch has not been observed by those wishing to promote such townsite survey
 Under the present townsite law and regulations. this office appoints a trustee. under whom the surveys are. made and deeds issued. the purchase price being used Go defray the cost of the work, by assessment upon the areas Of lotholders and the circular of August I. 1904 on Alaska town sites makes no difference between wbito and Native claimants in the matter of essessment and payment The position ihus far is in accord with said circular
 But the act of May 17 1884 in the effort to secure all the rights of Ma lives guaranteed by the Treaty with Russia. dated March SQ 1867 has the words
 4provide3. that the Indians or