Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-09
From Other Viewpoints
American Indian of Today-'I.
ny FRANK HAMPTON FOX.

For generations the Indian has been de-
scriNed rs n lazy neer-do- well, who existed
as a parasite on society. therefore few people
have any conception OF the position Oh the
modern Indian in industrial America
Following "a shameful record OF broken
treaties and unfulhlied promises the govern
ncnt in recent years has shown no keener
conscience anywhere than in us p"licy 10,
ward the Indian. The red man has responded
IA This better treatment in splendid way.
No single hint suggestion has ever been
made that Indian ever drove spikes INTO
a siw-loG or threw > wrench mo any NOUS
t-ial machine There is no Indictment i"r
sabotage against Indian. The Indian is not
lszicr than either his white or black hrothcr'
when he has the proper incentive to laho5 be-
inf. assn. ed that he Will reap the proper re-
wards
rnc Indians have extensive landed and in
dus,rial interests They own over 7l.0OO.O0o
acres Of land. Their income last year from
crops and the sale OF live stock aggregated
$4,000 0Gc: from leases and iand saies ~,
aOnuU1 mere rom wages S3,2O0,ooo; from AL
sources exclusive of minerals. they received
over si30Oc.u0o.
There are 8G.32S Indian farmers in the United
states cultIvatinE nearly million acres OF
land There 47.l2i Indians engaged in
81 ,ck raising. their live stock being valued At
$3S.c0D.0oo
lie side these activities of individual Indians
th, Indian Service maintains large herds OF
stock az tribal property. There is heard OF
200 sheep which in four years nctted. with
it's increase a profit OF $4,000. There IS
herd OF cattle numbering nearly 10000 ami
mails which tor the same period yielded a
II.
In connection with practical reservation in
dustri"s the government conducts twelve
demonstration and three experimentation
farm nearly 400 farmers, stockm and as
s!stants are employed and live near the Indian
communities TO give them instruction and ad-
vice.
Under the authority OF law the Indian Serv-
ice OF the government loans large OF
money annually to the Indians initial cap
itai for beginning their self-support. These
loans are liquidated rs fast as the Indians
develop their industries of farming and stock
raising
The government il giving special attention
TO increasing the production OF Indian lands
hy irrigation. About 100000 acres OF their
cultivated land irrigated Nearly 1000 900
acres more are included in the proposed pro-
jeCts % irritation. SO far government has
expended |l10oO,00" on the irrigation OF In
dian lands which brought return of $i2,-
100000 in last years crop alone.
The sawm!ls the reservations employ
ever 100 Indians. Thcy cut 20000000 feet OF
lumber annually. the product going into the
markets in many States and some OF it to Eu-
ropcan markets. During the last decade one
plant has produced sl.500000 worth Of luIn-
bcr. There are sevcnty-threc sawmillS on
the various reservations. The timber avail
aho for these mills Is estimated at 80 OOo :
000. 900 feet. valued at $4,000 900
During the past six years. $2S. GOO, 900 in roy
aItios have been pad to the Indians for oil.
coal and other minerals. The total wealth OF
the Indians in the United states Is not far
from $1,000, 100000. In 1918 they had on de-
post in banks or in tho hands of superin-
tenden.s 264, and balance in tho
treasury funds OF s42.676.1o1
The Indian, like every othor man when no
owns his home and has share In the mate
: fiai wealth OF the community, becomes inter-
ssst<d in publ Ne natrs HIS sense Of resppnsi.