The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-02-19
EXTEND PUBLIC POWER
By JEROME G. LOCKE, Helena
part III of a series)


part OF a series)
Action toward major social change for
eral Western states moving rapidly in Washington This ar
tcle pertaining to Indian lands and other resources was
appear several weeks hence Moving events force its
publication though of the detail had hoped to
supply not available Another week of delay would put
available hands too late for your
sderation.
Before Congress are $3.50 and R7319 identical bills
providing for termination of Federal supervision over Flat
Reservation and Indian tribes thereon and for other pur
These bills scheduled for hearing in Washington
February 1925 Similar bills covering nine other reservations
have scheduled nearing dates running from FEBRUARY 10
March TO- If enacted these will set the pattern for liquidation
of all Indian reservations Bills pending cover $4,000 In
dians in ten states
In general purpose the Flathead Reservation bill seems p
CAL All Indians thereon will first be enrolled in register
Then all of the property they and all other
reservation property will be put in the hands OF two trustees
named by Secretary of Interior Within three years must
all be sold distributed and all Federal activity to termi
nate Involved are undoubtedly contractua rights TO revenue
from power development and water rights
Probably many of these Indians will be able to buy back
from the Trustees the lands they farm and the homes in which
they live Many others cannot will not be able to do this
From hasy reading of the only of the bill have SEEN
linking who is apt to grab off the surplus land
listing water rights hydroeectric oil
other that be involved Certainly the In
unable develop and capitalize these thru
their present Tribal Council they will not do individuals
when turned loose ION their own inevitable that
many perhaps very many of them will exhaust what little sal
wage money they Then without sufficient of whtemens
sk guidance and of jobs, other help they
will become Landless Indians
Living in the Landless
Indians lately attended panel discussion to learn of
the pfu conditions there existing Not word of complaint
against the Indians themselves Without
they done ALL and than could be expected
themselves and educate their children Men,
ren all work when they get work within their abilities
They still live in degrading poverty and have to depend well
fare funds for about four months each
Apparently Reservation Indians almost unanimously
posed to the present bills They willing to terminate
rvaton life but want done gradually and long period
They have not been consulted about the terms proposed
and have but scany with which fight back stir
up general public opposition Expenditure from the tribal
funds be made without consent of the Secretary of In
erior-who sponsors the bills
From moral standpoint these harsh measures
l Cur9 and
hat belonged to the Indians They crowded back to the
desirable spots and finally signed treaties accepting these
is reservations have doubt about who cheated
this old land grab you should ride the Navajo
md Hoppi Reservations in Arizona Anyway these treaties
houd be sacred the Enabling Acts that created
Western states Yet they will be abrogaed by the pending
ills.
Such legislation of the current political phoso-
hy to take Government out of business 1t will be fostered
those who believe that wealth should always up stairs
to join wealth. hope it will not be hailed partial
for chat in Washington since the legislative
viii surely create in ten Western states To
is part of general pattern of action that shall attempt
1ore fully describe in continuation of these articles