The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-24

been received from Cato Sells. COM
missioner of Indian affairs in the de-
partment of the interior, with regard
ment's wards:
| During the past four years the eff
forts of the administration of Indian
affairs have been largely concentrated
| on the following fundamental activi-
tics-the betterment of health cond-
tons of Indians, the suppression Of
| the liquor traffic among them, the inn
provement Of their industrial condi-
tons, the further development of vo-
| cational training in their schools, and
the protection of the Indians property.
Rapid progress has been made along
all these lines, and the work thus re-
organized and revitalized will go on
with increased energy. With these ac-
der way. we are now ready to take the
next step in our administration pro-
gram.
The time has come for disseminating
guardianship Of all competent Indians
and giving even closer attention to the
incompetent that they may more
speedily achieve competency
Broadly speaking, a policy of greater
liberalism will henceforth prevail in
Indian administration to the end that
every Indian, as soon as he has been
determined to be as competent to
transact his own business rs the aver
age white man, shall be given full con-
troll of his property AMI have all his
lands and moneys turned over to him,
after which he will no longer be a
ward of the government.
Pursuant to this policy, the following
rules shall be observed
1. Patents in fee: To all able
half Indian blood. there will be given
as far as may be under the law full
and complete control of all their prop
crty. Patents in fee shall be issued to
| all adult Indians of one half or more
| Indian blood who may. after careful
| investigation, be found competent. pro-
vided that where deemed advisable
patents in fee shall be withheld for
not to exceed 40 acres as home.
Indian students, when they are p
years of age, or over, who complete the
full course of instruction in the gov
eminent schools, receive diplomas and
have demonstrated. competency will be
so declared.
.. Sale of lands: A liberal ruling
will be adopted in the matter of pass
ing upon applications for the sale OF
inherited Indian lands where the ap-
plicants retain other lands and the
proceeds are to be used to improve
| The hOmcStcadS or for other equally
good purposes. \ more liberal ruling
than has hitherto prevailed will here
after be followed with regard to tho
applications of non competent Indians
for the sale Of their lands where they
are old and feeble and need the pro-
ceeds for their support.
3. Certificates of competency: The
rules which are made to apply in The
granting of patents in fee and the SALE
of lands will be made equally appli.
cable in the matter of issuing certifi
catse of competency.
i 4. Individual Indian moneys: In
dams will be given unrestricted con
troll Of all their individual Indiar
moneys upon issuance of patents in fe'
or certificates of competency. Strc
limitations will not be placed upon thu
use of funds of the old, the INDECENT
and the inavld.
| ). Pro rata Shares--trust funds: A
speedily as possible their pro rat;
shares in tribal trust or other fund
shall be paid to all Indians who have
been declared competent. unless tn
legal status of such funds prevents
Where practicable the pro rata share
of incompetent Indians will be with
drawn from the treasury and placed II
banks to their individual credit.
s. Elimination Of ineligible pupils
from the government Indian schools
In many of our boarding schools IN
dian children are being educated q
government expense whose parents ar
amply able to nav for their p0uca iOl