The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1917-01-19

rtchest undrvclopcd region In the
West. The klamath Reservation. "
Upon this reservation are to b. found
1850 Of Americas most progressive
indians. each worth 3:6. 900 In tribal
assets. One who has rad history oven
In = most desuitory manner. cannot
but comprehend how closely allied AZ,
the various systcms OF credit and
banking with tho progrrss and hapri.
ness OF the human race.
To tho writer. the most ludicrous
questions over propounded TO him arc
why do not the Klamath indians
make greater proKress why do not
. larger proportion Of the Indians sue.
coed In tho stock busincss!" whom they
have the most luxuriant and tho best
watered stock range In the West. The
reason is obvioua. Although they arr
the second richest people per capita
In the United States. their wealth is
held In trust and In diiicult Of access
Notwithstanding. they are enormously
wealthy In undistributed asscts. under
tho laws that are operative on their
reservation. they have absolutely no
means OF securing financial aid in
times Of pressure.
The writer has In mind not less than
dfteen or twenty Indians who arc per.
sonaliy known TO him. who arc frugal.
honest, ambitious and industrious.
each owns over 1000 acres Of land.
valued at $4,000: each has q @25. 900
equity In the tribal estate. These men
who are laborious and thrifty. regard.
less Of their capacity and integrity.
are c!rcumvented by law from enjoy.
lnG the privileges no necessary TO the
success and prosperity OF their white
competitor.
The American citizen cannot be-
found who does not consider invain.
able his rating and standing with his
bank. lnasmuch as the klamath In.
dians are worth $4,000 per capita. not
less than $1,000 per capita should n,
once be made available for them from
the sale Of their timber. and expended
In the upbuilding Of their homes and
the stocking up Of their farmsteads
and ranches. After the farms OF the
t77 adult Indians are adequately stock.
ed. sum Of money suiicient TO
finance their business In times of pres.
sure should be made available and
bank which IL 10 necessary to the safe
and proper conduct Of business should
be established for them at their
agency. that they may have an oppor.
tunity to conduct their business along
modern lines.
The dilIgent efforts OF tho govern.
ment to protect It's wards In the most
AUDIBLE OF its many worthy under.
takings. II has. however. failed to
really discern the ability OF its wards
on the klamath reservation. and II IL
tragic indeed that they are doing bust.
ness under the archaic and antiquated
rules and regulations that have been
operative and infrequently modified
during the last Afty.two years. II Ia
obvious to oven tho casual observer
that the klamath Indians are entitled
% greater consideration from our ma.
tonal legislators In Washington, who
lIon0 can aid thor and everv nronar
means within the power Of the citizens
u Oregon should be used TO direct
heir attention to the needs OF the
Indians. Their prosperity
md the development Of their resources
would contribute to the wealth Of tho
'ntire state. a. whatever benefits tho
community. bsnsAts every member OF
10 community In . proportionate de-.
res.
Every sovsrnmsnt o@eiai In the In.