Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-13

oil wells. They are
quite content to restrain their knOWl-
edge of beef and mutton until it has
been nrts,ical'y arranged by an ex-
pcrienccd chef and appetiZingly dis
played upon snowy linen. They also
limit their knowledge Of sawmills
and irrigated farms to their individual
needs for the products of those indus
tries.
There is at least one man in Wash
ington. however, who is decided
exception TO this rule. He is Cato
Sells, commissioner of Indian affairs.
His principal work Is largely con-
ccrned in the direction of big bust
ness enterprises belonging to the
1926. 900 Indians now remaining In this
country. His responsibility really
involves the health, education, prop
erty and. in considerable measure,
the destiny of race.
The Indian problem is practically a
government within government
The Indian bureau deals with every
social, educational, economic and
contractural relationship. 1t has
some feature Of nearly every other
bureau or department in Washington.
IT is original in it's operation, con-
structive in its action and frequently
without precedent. A commissioner
Of Indian affairs might to advantage
be lawyer. doctor. teacher, farmer,
stockman. lumberman, oil expert,
mining engineer and diplomat. There
is no phase of life upon which he
does not have to act practically
every day. In addition to his activi-
ties in connection with the life of
the Indians, he has to deal with the
varied relationship Of almost 5000
employees.
The $685. American Indians are
divided into ESQ tribes and bands
They are located in 200 reservations
in twenty different states.
Not so many years ago Indians were
In the habit of obtaining their meat
supply by placing we'll aimed arrows
or bullets in the hearts Of buffalo or
wild cattle Occasionally they would
arrange d SuduBe VI ulek w SoPtul ih6
wild turkeys and ducks. Such arti-
Giles as butter. milk and eggs were
practically unknown to them as daily
necessities until recent years.
visit to most OF the Indian tribes to-
day would disclose wonderful
change in this respect Thanks to
the encouragement of Commissioner
Sells. they now own magnificent
herds Of high grade cattle. choice
fioci.s Of turkeys, chickens and ducks.
and have al abundance of fresh but
ter and eggs every day In the year.
Last year $4,000 Indians were en-
gagged in stock raising. Their live
stock is estimated as being worth
$4,000. 900.
The cattle raising experience on the
Crow reservation in Montana Will
serve as Z fair Illustration of how
the stock movement is progressing
among all the tribes. Four years ago
10000 head OF cattle were placed on
this reservation. They cost sass, 900.
The expense Of conducting the ranch
fol the ensuing four years was
slal 900. Al the end of that period
the profits and value Of the herd
aggregated N.237 900, showing
clean profit OF s5s9.0OO on the invest
nnent. In the meantime the Indians
had mastered the highly important
ar; of breeding, selling and properly
caring for cattle under all sorts of
conditions
Much attention is also being given
to sheep raising and selling Of wool
On the Jicarilla reservation, New
Mexico. FOR instance. 1000 sheep were
purchased in 1914 at cost of $50, 900.
Four years later this herd had in
creased to 10000. After deducting
MI expenses of operation a net profit
of $4,000 rer year for the four years
was SHOWN in favor OF the Indians
1t should also be remembered that
dui: ING all of those years II was not
an uncommon sight TO see a content
cd nd skinned family gayly feastins
On nice roast % leg of lamb or
t3t %. ~ .l.,