The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-07-29
PENSIONS FOR
 INDIANS TAKEN
 UP, CONGRESS
Alaska Delegate Introduce:
 Measure-Discussion Given Tn Detail
,continued from Page one)

Congress of 1924 citizens of the United States and have the same status as any other citizen of our country. Therefore, they are en- titled to the provisions of the old- age pension under this title.
 MT. Dirnond. Then the striking out or elimination of the Senate amendment with respect to Indians does not mean that this bill does not apply to Indians?
 MT. Samuel B. Hill. It does not mean that, but it does mean that the bill will apply to Indians, needy, aged, and that they will come un- der the provisions of title 1.v
 Hills Viewpoint
 It is thus evident that MT. Hill, who is one of the leaders of the House, and as above noted one of the House Conferees on the bill, is very definitely of the opinion that Indians are provided for in the bill the same as other citizens of the United States.
 Long before this action was talk en, Con February 6, 1935) Senator Norbeck introduced a bill providing old age pensions for Indian citi- zens of the United States. The bill, as drawn, would give a pension of not to exceed $1 day to all In- dian citizens of half blood or more upon attaining the age of 70 years, and who are in need of such pen sion. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Af- fairs and on May |, 1885, the Com mittee reported the bill with a number of amendments. In one of these amendments it was recom- mended that the word citizen" be stricken, and the words member of any tribe now under the jurisdic- tion" be substituted therefor, so that the bill, as amended, would provide pension for ''any Indian of the half blood or more who is a member of any tribe now under the jurisdiction of the United States etc. '
 Alaska Not Included
 
 Since few of the Indians of Alas ka live on reservations and since they are part of the body polite of Alaska and are not governed in any respect through tribal organ nations, doubt exists as to whether Senator Norbeck's bill, if so amend ed, will cover the Indians and Es- kimos of Alaska. The Delegate has taken this matter up with the In- terior Department and with num- Der of the members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, par ticularly Senators Thomas, Nor beck, Frazier and Dohaney, re- questing that a suitable an.end- ment be made to the bill 50 as to expressly cover the Indiai. and Es- kimos of Alaska.
 Dimond Takes Action
 In order to be sure that the na- tiJes of Alaska are, covered by any such legislation, the Delegate has introduced in the House a bill simi- lar to Senator Norbecks bill, but expressly providing that the h. dians and Eskimos of Alaska be in- c7uded in the benefits which the bill would give. Since the Delegate is a member of the House Committee on Indian Affairs, it is certain that the status of the Alaska Indians and Eskimos will be carefully con- sidered when this legislation comes up from the House. Of course it is not yet certain that the Norbeck bill will pass the Senate.
 The Secretary of the Interior re- commends the enactment of this proposed legislation and the Bu- reau of Budget advises that it should be considered as in accord with the financial program of the President"
 While the Norbeck bill limits pen- sloris to Indians over TO years of age, the bill introduced by the Del egate would grant pensions to those over 65 years of age, which, is in harmony with the provisions of the Social Security Bill.