Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-21

High commentator OF Commissioners
Charles J. Rhoads for his skill in trans
forming the Indian Bureau into a most
efficient organization is coupled by the
press with vigorous opposition TO his
theory that there is lack of dignity for
the race of red men in activities con-
nected with Wild West Shows. On the
contrary, many observers contend that
1t is a source of pride on the part of
the Indians and of satisfaction on the
part of white Americans that the tradi-
tions of primitive America should be
preserved.
''Mr. Rhoads Is doubtless right in con-
tending that such careers sometimes
subject the Indian to moral and ffnan-
cial hazards" says the Cleveland Plain
Dealer, agreeing that ''ne Is likely to
become a less noble nomad than his
ancestors who roamed the plain before
the white man came and grabbed his
land" The Plain Dealer, however, adds:
We cannot suppress the hope that
Rhoads won't be very successful in his
campaign to make the Indian like every
other man. If the modern Indian gets
thrill out OF the feeble imitation OF
his old-time glory that the rodeo and
medicine show afford him, why deny
him? What IL the rodeo ponies are
brokendown nags? What If Wild Chief
Smoke in the Face is merely well
trained family man who rides around
in a car when he's of tour? II 1t gives
the Indian pleasure and q little pront
let him have 1t. America Is getting
stereotyped enough. Why seek to push
the poor Indian into the mold of the
average? Surely the white man has
done enough to the Indian without
robbing him of his last dying 'whoop.' !"
Conceding that 1.-The process of the
Indians 'Americanization' Is probably
not helped much by his participation in
the Wild West Show" the Springfield
Republican, nevertheless, suggests that
"the commissioner might be asked
late Buffalo Bill, in participating in such
a performance. was undignifled. There
Is possibly a danger" continues the
Republican, that a philanthropic view
of the Indian may overlook certain
habits and characteristics that are an
ancestral inheritance and undesirable
only from an alien point of view. After
all, the Indian was here first, and II,
after yielding most of his possessions
to the white man, he still persists in
being an Indian, he can scarcely be
blamed"
The suggested policy Is interpreted by
the Charlotte Observer to mean that
IF there are to be any more repre-
sensations of frontier days, white men
will have to daub their faces with red
paint and whoop 1t up, while the Indians
watch from the side lines" and that
paper adds: I'VE dislike to see even the
privilege Of performing in shows taken
away from the Indian. In our youth
we have thrilled to Buffalo Bill and his
painted savages in the show ring.
Tasseled war bonnets and paint have
made our blood course faster and in
these warriors of another day we have
seen something of the spirit of America.
Indians still have hearts that beat with
the spirit Of their ancestors in the
Happy Hunting Grounds"
The basis of the theory is undoubt-
eddy correct" agrees the Ann Arbor
Daily News, commencing the "oppor-
tunity to learn practical trades" but
that paper continues: We rise to re-
mark that a Wild West show without
Indians would be misnomer. The
traditions of pioneer days are worth
preserving. along with the Indians
dignity. And 1t is possible to combine
the dignity with the traditions. The
trouble is that in too many Western
exhibitions the aborigine has been
obliged to play an inglorious role. But
that Is not invariable. If they
want to revive the old days, and in
fancy roam the plains once more, they
are entitled 10 engage IN Such an &C.
cupation. It Is an honest way Of pro-
curing the daily bread"
X
eff this part of the commissioners
program succeeds" according to the
Charleston Daily Mail, future young
sters will be deprived of one of the
greatest thrills and even educational
treats of normal child life in the United
States The Indian is O natural horse
man, and that he should exhibit for
money his skill as O rider along with
the customs, Warlike and others, of his
early ancestors should attach no stigma
to the red man of today who follows
this calling. Such performances have