Evening star., 1932-01-17

Gradually the stock of significant move
ments increased and found extended use
until a common language was available
throughout a great territory.
The Indians, possessed of calm dignity,
were undismayed by the camera or the
acknowledged Importance of the occa-
sion. In natural manner, they viewed
the situation simply as presenting an
opportunity to do some tale-swapping
with purpose.
Entirely Self-contained and showing
an undeniable composure, they were
ideal camera subjects Raymond Evans.
director of motion picture operations of
the United States Department of Agrl-
culture, said last week in recalling his
experiences connected with supervision
of Photographic activities at the council.
"They entered upon their silent telling
of stories as though nothing mechanical
were spying upon them.
'"The camera was equipped for sound
reproduction. With the conversations
and speeches of the councils members
being presented by no other means than
motion it might seem this equipment was
superfluouS. 1t was used because OF an
eagerneSs to obtain a record Of the ughS'
and other audible manifestations of ap-
probation and appreciation which the
chiefs extended toward each other dur
ing the council.
IAN interesting phase of the work as
serted itself when the chiefs continued
to indulge themselves in their signmak-
1NI cot
photography perforce was ended. They
sat far into the night of each day the
council was in session absorbing the
pleasures they found in listening to
stories that originated in all sections OF
the old Indian country"
ONLY one untoward event entered into
~ the task of photographing the coun-
ell, Mr.. Evans stated. 1t put in its ap-
pearance when Bitter Root Jim, 80-year-
old medicine man, proved himself to be
the possessor of a very ambitious pair of
hands and used them for the better part
of an hour to tell about an event of his
youth. Just beyond the midway point of
Jim's tale, the cameras immediate sup
ply of film admitted defeat.
The story told by Jim, who appeared
in the somewhat amazing regalia of his
position dealt with a credulity- taxing
narrative.
Four-score of years seemed to mean
nothing to his hands as they moved with
certainty and precision to tell his fellows
about what happened in the dim past at
time when starvation was close to his
people.
Standing in front of the camera, Jim
told how lack of food finally drove him
into the hills on lone hunt
The story advanced to the point where
Jim found large bear stretched in sleep.
Firing his gun, Jim not only wounded the
animal, but also unwillingly told five
other bears in the vicinity that some
thing was wrong.
Unable to load his gun again, Jim set
upon the arriving quintet with the butt
of his weapon. The escapade reached a
conclusion, Jim told the council, with the
Staying of the six bears. Thus the starv-
ing were provided with meat.
Much film had been sent through the
camera before Bitter Root Jim and his
six bears gained the center of the tepee.
Part of it had been used by Mr.. Evans
and Eugene Tucker, the cameraman, in
photographing arrival of the chiefs at
the meeting place.
After the chiefs had donned their full
costumes, they again were photographed,
passing front of the camera as they en-
tered the tent, with Gen. Scott greeting
each dignitary with signs expressing well
come.
Close-ups were then taken, with each
council members hands revealing his
name and the location of his reServa-