The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-02-24
|RIDDlCK ATTACKS
FOOLISH MEASURE
Has Bill Killed That Would Appro.
pirate 100000 for Indian
Relief.

Washington Feb. 18.-The house
of representatives, largely at the in
stance of Representative Riddick of
Montana, threw into the discard a
bill, framed by sentimentalists on
mere assumption, which would have
taken 100000 out of the federal
treasury to "relieve distress among
the Indians" The great appropria-
lions committee, which is supposed to
be carefully guarding the treasury,
had been swept off it's feet by the ap-
peals of a few paid lobbyists who wax
fat at government expense while pos
ing as friends of the red man, and it
took a practical statement of fact to
upset both the committee and the lob
byists.
The bill in question did not specify
where this 100000 was to be spent;
if left it wide open; but it did set
aside that amount which could be
spent by the Indian commissioner
wherever he desired. The bill was
we'll under way, when Representative
Riddick SPILLED the beans. 1t seems
this proposed appropriation was built
up largely OF a sensational story
printed in a Montana paper, and sup
posed distress among the Blackfeet
Indians was the basis for the demand.
The story told by Mr.. Riddick which
kelled the bill follows:
"Mr. Speaker, during the holidays ]
visited Montana, and while there saw
a sensational page article published
in many Montana newspapers telling
about alleged destitution on the Black.
feet Indian reservation. The article
was so narrowing and so full of dis.
tressing details that I at once made ii
my business to visit that section OF
the state and to look into the facts
and I found that the sensational state.
ments in that article We're all wrong
I found that there were hard times
but no suffering, no starvation, nc
freezing to death, no dire want. ]
found that these Indians have more
than $4,000 in cash in the bank. Ev.
cry man, woman and child on the res.
ervation owns 400 acres of land, which
means that a family of five owns 1900
acres of land worth upward of $4,000
I found that there was no suffering
from restitution. In looking over the
report on this bill I find that the
greater portion of the money which il
is proposed we shall give from the
United States treasury is to be usec
on the Blackfeet Indian reservation
1t is my personal opinion this gift is
not necessary to prevent suffering OF
death. There is a condition of HARD
times there the same as there is IT,
Washington, and the same as there is
in many other places all over the ma.
ton; but I talked with reliable people
who live right there adjoining ant
upon the reservation, and who know
the situation, and who are in dali,
touch with those Indians, and the,
assured me that they were positive
that the statements that there was
suffering and hunger and deaths from
starvation there rel untrue. Before
we + to believe those narrowing de
tails l should like some more definit,
evidence than has been presented here
II have sympathy for any people
white OF Indian, who are really needy
but these Indians, who have propert,
aggregating upward of $4,000 il
value to each family and who have {
large tribal bank account that can b,
made available for any immediat,
needs, whether for food, clothing, seed
implements or anything of that kind
are not in such a condition as to war
rant US in taking money out of tn,
treasury of the United States that W,
have to collect from other people, VIII,
are hard up, to give to these Indian,
simply because they are hard up. Dur
ing the past eight years we have beel
educating the people to believe tina
whenever any one is hard up an 'ap
preparation should be made will
money taken out of the national treas
ury. It is time to stop that kind O
business. The public expects congress.
to economize, and we ought not t,
Snond ona cant that ic not obco1,,4o1,