The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-08-09
BIG MEETING OF RED MEN
Continued from page four

Indians would be adequately com
pensated for their lands. Thes'
gentlemen still have this letter
which may be useful sometime. How
ever, the situation is this: Nothing
will be done with regard to YOU
community land until after congress
which meets in December, passes leg
islation, so that it is still in the
future as to when any action will be
taken on your community lands.
l know full we'll that your great
est interest is centered in your com
munity lands, that is, your bottom
| lands. When this reservoir Is built
It will cover your bottom lands, the
only community lands which you
have left. When the time comes for
action which will not be until early
spring at any rate, you Indians will
be personally represented and your
wishes made known before any
definite action is accomplished
There is nothing in my opinion for
you to worry about at present My
acquaintanceship with you, starting
forty-three years ago, has taught me
you are not in the habit of worrying
much anyway.
81 want to make 1t perfectly clear
to you that when the time comes
that your community lands are
needed for this great enterprise, the
American Falls reservoir, which will
be of such tremendous benefit to all
the people of Idaho, you will have to
give up your community lands. II
you were white men and similarly
situated the result would be the
same. Individual interests cannot
stand in the way of developments
which will be of benefit to great
community. You Indians, however.
will be heard when it comes to the
question of compensation. If you
and the representatives of the gov
eminent cannot agree as to the
amount of compensation to be paid, |
then your lands will be condemned
under due and proper process of law.
Both sides to the controversy, your
selves and the government, IL 1t
should come to condemnation pro-
ceedings, will be heard in the local
courts. When this is done both sides
must abide by the decision rendered
by the courts or by those appointed
to render the decision. / think it
well to make it clear to you that the
American Falls reservoir is most
desirable thing, but there should be
an honest determination on the part
of all that justice should be done to
all. l recognize the fact these COM
lands constitute your winter
home; from these lands you get the
hay to feed your stock, and you have
4 proper sentimental attachment for
hem which does you credit. l think
safely say that when it becomes
necessary for you to part with these
ands everyone would be glad to have
you entirely satisfied to do so. +
your congressman, Addison T.
smith, has been over the entire pro-
ect several times, and enator Borah,
senator Gooding and Congressman
french are taking the deepest inter-
st in the complete success of the
'roject, as is also Governor Moore.
Il am having a good time and
ould talk to you all day, but will
ut will close by congratulating you
n this wonderful property which
GU have, which is growing in value
very day, and l adjure you to work
little harder and take advantage of
his precious legacy which your gov h
rnment has given you and is i'm t
rowing for you.
I'm closing | wish to repeat that il
[r. Bonner and Mr.. Engle and the v
at Washington are work "
lg for your best interest and t
evelopment."