The Tomahawk., 1918-04-11


penditures and the total appropri-
alton of $175,0O0 from our princi-
pal trust fund included in the bill
by the Senate should be stricken
out. This would still leave avail,
able over 5000, 900 for the support
and civilization Of 5000 Indians,
or 1855. sc per head, which is nearly
three times the amount appropri-
ated for similar service for any
other tribe ia this country. :,
The Indians look upon these ap-
preparations from trust funds as
outrageous, particularly in view of
the fact that most of their land is
subject to and is being taxed, that
they are contributing their share
tc the. State and Nation in taxa
ton, and that the free school sys.
tenn of the State of Minnesota is
open aud accessible to them, and
is being maintained in part by
them and there is no necessity for
such service. 1t is the inexcus.
able taking of their trust funds by
their trustee to pay for their al
legged support and civilization"
for which. they are already paying
by taxation against which we pro-
test. 1t is nothing short of du-
plication in payments. =" 2
The Senate included III the In
dian Appropriation Bill az item of
$4,000 to defrsy the expenses of
holding the next General Council
and to en:.ble the Council through
its Committee to look after the
affairs of the tribe and the proper.
| ~ OF: the indiyidaal4 Indian. With!
reference to this item, which the
Indian Bureau opposed because the
Secretary could not control the
expenditure, the Legislative Com
mittee hasinformed the Conference
Committee as follows: 49,
''Tne Chippewa Indians particu.
larly desire the retention of this
amendment. This is the only mon.
ey available to pay the expenses of
the General Council, to defray the
expenses of their representatives
to Washington and to enable them
to look after their tribal affairs.
Appropriations of $4,000 have
heretofore been annually made for
this purpose Last year Congress
authorized the expenditure by the
Indians of said amount identically
as authorized in this item with the
result that our General Council has
saved to the tribe during the last
year more than 100000, and paw
ed the way for much larger saw
ing next year. The work has great
~ increased, owing to the confused
condition of our affairs and the
sum of $4,000 is urgently needed
during the coming year to defray
actual expenses. This is our money
and we ask the appropriation in
the language in which it appears
in the bill"
These statements are based upon
actual facts and illustrate what the
General Council is accomplishing
for the Indians and the reckless
expenditure of their money by the
Indian Bureau in tue past.
The Legislative Committee has
secured an order which has been
sent to every Superintendent
among the Chippewas directing
them to pay to the parents of all
minor children all accounts stand
| ing to the credit of their minor
children where the amount is $50
or less, except in cases where it is
we'll known that the parent is an
improper person to receive the
money of his or her mi:or child
| rem. This applies to all funds Of
children regardless of whether the
parent has been given his or her
patent in fee or whether they still
hold their lands. under trust prt-
ents. If this order of the Com
missioner is 1isregarded by any
| At