El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-20
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN lands
MEANS MUCH FOR THE SOUTHWEST

CEEATOR HENRY Z. ASHURST viii doubtless receive
~ pIaudits his Arizona constituency by reason Of
his having introduced in the senate bill later passed by
body providing the opening up Of Indian lands in
the west for mineral development If the house the
president with the senate this measure VIII permit
the prospecting 1s55too0 acres in Arizona and 1889 GOO
IN New Mexico and the development into mines of any
which give favorable indications of possessing mineral
values IN paying quantities.
Some good mines doubtless VIII be the result It must
be borne in mind while good mines have been de-
velOPed elsewhere in the state the Indian reservations
have beer without the pale by the government for
he possession OF Indian t5esmen who could not them
selves develop mines could capital from anyone
else to develop them. This bin furnishes way for the
white mans capital to ind entry to the Indian
tons and help everyone VINO may be concerned the Indians
included.
1t Is known for instance that there Is large coal field
the reservation Of the Apaches in eastern AID north
eastern Arizona probably enough coal TO supp the state
years 20 come Its existence has been known at least
years, but has been able to touch It. Such
law is proposed would make It possible get out of
the ground and into the market this needed fuel
The existence Of copper and probably gold in the mountains
u te 'Ilous llaa reservations Is a-so taken Ior granted
Thorough investigation VIII ascertain whether It present
IN quantities sufficient for mining purposes appears
SAFE guess that al least lew good workable prospects
could be discovered.
Perhaps the red men may object to this law considering
another scheme Of the whites to do them Of their
possessions. But they VIII not think after the
fully explained One Of its provisions is that the Indians
must be paid at least five percent Of the net proceeds of
such mines may be developed the reservations This
that the Indians, without stroke Of work OF the
rsng of penny without sharing any Of the expenses
Of operation, VIII, if the mines pan out we'll be in the
position Of drawing i've percent interest millions
vestmen while if the mines do prove profitable they
have nothing to lose Five percent Of the profits Of
the Copper Queen mine, for instance the
bers of any tribe in the state financially independent with
In few years.
The bill has been so drawn that the Indians would
lose Of their land, water mineral rights In fact
they would profit greatly through the exploitation Of the
last named. It would be boon them as well as to
those persons who would risk large of money and
their time and labor IN demonstrating whether not
profitable mines could be developed.
If there good mineral land the reservations Of
the southwest 1t is time found for getting the
the coal Of the ground and placing it where It
viii DO some good. Whether not a white makes
anything out Of 1t is matter Of great concern but
the country needs VIII need any valuable metals which
may be dug out Of these Indian lands u
The fear Of Beche raids being past and not being
dry town anyhow, New York is all ait up" again. L
-o-
Germans are tightening their belts at the aisers order
and the allies VIII have them tighten up their hat
bands. II
The meat packers are marketing everything but the
squeaI and they may be saving that back for a time