PEACE AND ARBITRATION

OLIVER WILSON, Supt.,

214 Callendar Ave., Peoria, Ill.

RACE PROBLEMS

MARIANNA BURGESS, Supt.,

2476 Howard St., San Francisco, Cal.

EDUCATION AND EQUAL RIGHTS

GRACE BENJAMIN, Supt.,

R. R. 1, Bloomington, Ill.

ILLINOIS

YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS

Committee for Philanthropic Labor

LUCRETIA S. FRANKLIN, Chairman,

1437 Irving St., Washington, D. C.

1800 W. 12th St.

Los Angeles

Calif.

TEMPERANCE AND NARCOTICS

EDITH M. P. MILLS, Supt., McNabb, Ill.

PURITY AND LITERATURE

MARY VAN SYOC, Supt., Mt. Union, Ia.

PRISON REFORM

THEODORE RUSSELL, Supt., Winfield, Ia.

INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS

FREDERICK BAYNES, Supt., Salem, Ind.

Aug.

4th

1917

Dear General Pratt:

Your letter quite "sot" me up to think you took the time
to re-read *mine* when I felt you would hardly care to read it
once.

The letter to Lucretia Franklin must have been read be-
fore the meeting and discussed as I just have a card from
Thomas Jenkins stating that the meeting appropriated $100
for my auto. That with what I have and with what I expect
to get I think insures my getting the * machine* planning to go
to the Dodge people and to the Maxwellites to-morrow and
see what terms I can get on just the kind that I want. I want
to get many points from many people. And I would not be sur-
prised if I would be in one and running it before Sept. is
over. I WILL NOT HAVE A FORD since the way they treated your
letter.

I would be glad indeed to have Mr. Johnson's speeches and
the 800 "Drastic Facts," which I shall get out to intelligent
people before the next Mohonk Conference. Just now I cannot
even pay the express or postage on the package, for I've gone
to my limit till I get more returns.

Glad of the possibility of seeing you. As far as I know the
Commissioner has not yet arrived. I was at the office on Wednes-
day to get my promised map. It was ready for me all right, but
Mr. Oldberg--Mr. Chas. R. Oldberg, Supt. Irrigation U.S.Ind. Land
Service, Federal B'dg.--was not in. He told me when I was there
before that he was to meet the Commissioner in Nevada, Arizona or
New Mex. (forget now which, most likely Arizona) on some land
irrigation business, and that he expected to come on to L. A.
As he was in town on Wed. I take it the Commissioner has not yet
started west. Would't it be a co-incidence for him to be here
when you come?

If you are going to be in Washington in early Oct. I wish you
would attend some session of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting which
meets the last Monday in Oct. (this year Oct. 29, to Friday, Nov. 2,
(I think.) Generally the big religious day is Sunday preceding. That
meeting takes more interest in the Indian than any of the other seven,
I am having a copy of the Proceedings of the 245th meeting (1916)
sent you, at Mason's address--Roland Park, Balto. I want you to notice
the report of Joseph J. Janney, Chairman of the Standing Committee
on Ind. Affrs. (Page 26.) They are in with the Indian Office, with
the Mohonk Lodge, the Indian Rights, etc. so it is ticklish ground.
They are in with them because they do not know any better. They need
educating. I wrote a joint letter to Thos. Jenkins and Joseph

2

Janney in which I had the nerve to propose that the Balto.
Meeting divert the fund they have been for years giving to the
Indian Rights Association, to me, giving good reasons. I told
them of my auto project. On page 55 of the report, note they have
but a small fund, and $200.00 goes to the Indian Rights. I told
them if all the Yearly Meetings would contribute each a quota for
me a Maxwell or MEE Dodge, and the Balto. Friends could feel it
right to divert the Amt. which they now give to the Ind. Rights,
for two or three years, I believe I could manage the upkeep of
the auto and of myself, and get at more bottom facts for Friends
to work upon than the Indian Rights people with all their in-
fluence and means could do in double the time. If I should not
do so then the fund could be turned back into the old channel.
Joseph Janney said by letter to Thos. Jenkins; (You know who he
is, Prof. at Chicago University and a leading young Friend.)

"It is refreshing to learn that one of our own members is
awake to the needs of the Indians. Since I have been chair-
man of the Committee on Indian Affairs . . . I have found
no disposition among Friends, at any time during the last
15 or 20 yrs. to take part in the work. This does not apply
to Marianna Burgess for she is of the few steadfast and
faithful ones. I should like very much to see her in the field
and busy in the line of effort which she indicates, but I doubt
the possibility of raising the amount she would need. We are
using fully half of the income of our fund in aiding the Indian
Rights association, and the rest in promoting industrial educa-
tion among the Indians, etc." (The Industrial education is
the work of the Mohonk Lodge.) Note on page 28 of the Proceedings
what a weak report Mrs. Roe makes.) . . . We will have a meeting
of our Committee in Oct. and I will be glad to bring this matter
up at that time. I would suggest that Marianna write me briefly
outlining her view and purpose and her letter shall have deliberate
consideration."

If it were possible for you to meet with *that* Committee I believe
you could turn the tide of things in your direction, altho they
are Herbert Welsh guided, and Commissioner bound.

Joseph Janney's reply to my letter amounts to about the same.
Now I am going to write him another strong letter (not TOO strong)
and Tos. Jenkins will let him know what the Ill. Meeting has done.
The Ill. people are comparatively poor. The Balto. Friends are
rich and it makes one ill for a Great Cause, to see them dealing in
such small sums for charity and good works in general when they are
rolling in wealth.

will be

The hardest thing with that meeting is to divert their interest
from the old channel, having been for so long tied to the Indian
Office, Ind. Rights and Mohonk Lodge. But it is by no means im-
possible. I am keeping a few hundred of the Mohonk and Berkeley
speeches to drop among the leaders of that flock about the 2nd week
in October.
I cannot handle the Johnson speeches until I am in the
auto, if they cost more than a cent or a cent and a half each. Until
I see you,
Very truly,
*His Brother*

Eighth Mo.
Ninth
1917

Lucretia S. Franklin
4529 Iowa Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Chairman of the Committee on Philanthropic Labor,
Illinois Yearly Meeting of Friends.

Dear Friend:

A survey of the present conditions of the two races--
Indian and African, assigned me as Superintendent of one branch of
the Committee's work, reveals a discouraging degree of activity
among Friends, especially in the line of uplift for our Brother-in
-Red.

Quakers are accredited in the histories of the world
as being among the staidnest friends of the Indian, and have been
so regarded by our Red Brother himself.

Published proceedings of all our Yearly Meetings for
1916-17 which I have seen, gave little or no space to the discussion
of the welfare of the American Indian. The findest one can think of
for this seming laxity on the part of the descendants of William
Penn, (whose majestic figure stands on the dome of the Administration
Building of his city of Brotherly Love, as a silent reminder of his
kindness, justice and reasonableness toward these unfortunate people,)
is that the membership of the Religious Society of Friends, whose
heart is as big as the earth, are not aware of the appalling conditions
of poverty, disease, crime, filth and other disheartening and hopeless
situations now prevalent on most of the Indian reservations. The
casual visitor is captivated by the superficial glow of prosperity
and comfort at and near the agency head-quaters and in the neighbor-
hood of certain farms owned by leaders of the tribes who have been
favored on account of the influence they could exert, and the ranches
of mixed bloods scattered here and there, some, the illegitimate
offspring of grafters and intrigues. There are a few educated Indians
who in spite of suppression by the authorities, have honestly, through
hard work, economy and the honest employers and good missionaries
built up comfortable homes and become rich and influential citizens.
But hundreds and thousands who voluntarily stow themselves away in-
the nooks and corners of the reservation, and among the scrub oaks in
the shelter of ravines and rocks-- these who are patiently suffering
and slowly dying from the most dredful of diseases and from starvation-
the aged and infirm, the week and sickly, held eternally in the bondage
of conditions impossible of themselves to overcome; we do not hear
about these, the Peyote eaters and gamblers, the ghost dancers, outlaws
and scavengers of the tribes. These are never on parade before the
Congressional Committees to show what the Bureau has NOT done. They
are not selected by the Agent to display before the private investigator
or to represtatives of Indian Rights Associations as of special interest

#2

The ethnologists, anthropologists, and archaeologists turn aside from these tubercular, trechoma stricken people preferring rather to hire the clean graduate from some non reservation school to dress up in savage toggery to represent their scientific and folklore discoveries, made frequently by overpaid sons of favored politicians. Some of the worst distress may be found in tribes known to be the richest per capita among the nations of the world.

As these statements may easily be verified, is there not something radically wrong?

Can we as a body of philanthropic and Christian people conscientiously sit supinely calm allowing these suffering creatures and all the others who are not suffering physically, who are able and strong and who would br thrifty if they had a chance, yet held as wards, cursed with riches manipulated by a faulty Bureau system over which they have no control; and take no interest in such a deplorable state of affairs?

Knowing these things can we be comfortable over the feeling that our great nation of over 100,000,000 people, by 100,000,000 people, for 100,000,000 people is doing all that it can for the less the 300,000 remnant of a race we have crushed and MADE what they ARE?

Yet a Friend, a Freind, I repeat, said the other day, "They do nothing to help themselves, let them rot."

I know conditions. I have studied them. I visited a small reservation here in California, not long ago and noted the diseased and dying in the same filthy, disgraceful surroundings which I observed on the large reservations in the middle west, in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, thirty and fourty years ago.

No improvement!

Personal interviews recently with those who have spent years on the reservations, and were fresh from the scenes disclose the facts that worse conditions prevail than I had witnessed in the long ago.

My heart bleeds for these people whom I had arduously served for three decades, and under favorable environment and incentive, away from the tribes, with the hopes that are found in civilization, succeeded in arousing hundreds to desire to be and to do, but who under the present iniquitous system are powerless to change conditions for the better.

I do not ask Freinds to believe this presentation of an unpopular subject. All I ask is that Friends will use every means in their power to see and find out for themselves, and do not delay.

Now is the time! Now when our pockets are drained for the relief of suffering war victims! Now when the spirit of self sacrifice permeates every fiber of our being as never before! Now, when sympathy is fully aroused, better than any other time, is the opportune moment to start an investigation!

Trust no novice eager for a trip of adventure. Appoint one or more of our members. Trust no one who has not been over the ground; one who knows the methods of the Indian Bureau; one who can not be easily deceived; one who is willing to sacrifice comfort and means to the expense of

#3

vitality and strength.

Such an investigation should be carried on independent of the
Indian Bureau, without antagonizing the Bureau. Demand that information
shall be secured through correspondence but by actual observation; not
by spending time on the reservation, but by remaining as long as it is
necessary in bordering towns patronized by the Indians, so that on neutral
ground, interviews may be held with them in a friendly way, not with the
intention of finding fault with the Government, nor of hunting only for
evil, but for the sole purpose of getting accurate information both of
the good and of the evil, which may be corroborated by casual visits with
the Indians in their homes.

Through reports obtained in this way, taking affidavits when
important, the Seven Yearly Mettings could keep in touch with actual condi-
tions and be able to act intelligently in any way deemed best.

No change for the better can be accomplished except through
Congress. Senators and Representatives will not act until voting citizens
take interest and demand action. Voters can not become interested until
backed by positive and accurate information, so what is there to do but
to adopt the most rational means needed to obtain the data needed?

Lucretia Franklin will thee as chairman of the committee of
Philanthropic Labor, read studiously and thoughtfully the copy of a speech
Edwin S. Johnson, of South Dakota, delivered in the senate of the United S
States some six months ago, Feb. 26th; 9; 7, enclosed herewith? Then will
thee send it with the report, (under letter postage as I'm sending it to
thee) to Albert Mills, requesting him to read such portion as he deems
best (providing the Meeting does not object) in connection of the main
portion of this letter? I want Friends to know the truth. There may be
a better remedy than Senator Johnson proposes. Friends will discuss the
remedy after fortifying themselves with first hand data.

I have reasons to know that the letter sent by the Illinois
Yearly meeting to Secretary of the Interior Lane had a salutary effect.
It was no doubt an added link to the force that caused the commissioner of
Indian affairs to circulate through the leading dailies that the "time has
come for discounting guardianship of all competent Indians, and to give
even closer attention to the incompetent that they may more speedily
achieve competency."

Naturally the papers took it up editorially saying that the
change"is regaurded as one of the most important turnings in the entire
history of relations between Uncle Sam and his red-skinned wards". In this
way the publick is decieved into thinking that last the Indian is to
recieve justice. Those that have studied the situation for years know
well that the Commissioner is powerless to do anything more than to make
a surface showing. We have nothing against the Commissioner. Be he ever
so able his hands are tied by the System. Such promises appear at various
intervals. We cannot sit back and say that the Government is doing what
it can do about it.

Let us NEVER MIND THE GOVERNMENT!

#4

Let us Mind The Light! The light which leads to suffering humanity, imprisoned humanity, enslaved humanity, slowly going down to death and destruction in the quicksands of political corruption.

The slavery of the Negro proved to him a blessing, for through it he was taught to labor. The masses of the Indian are withheld from the advantages and encouragement. Under the same conditions that other minds are educated and trained, the Indian mind has proven equal to the highest and the best.

May we not look into the matter?

I have had but little opportunity to study the Negro situation. The colored people of Los Angeles seem to be respected and honored for genuine worth as desirable citizens. They are thrifty--some of them are wealthy. They support large churches and enter into philanthropic activities for the benefit of their own people.

At the African Methodist Church one evening when "Education" was the subject they raised in a few moments of the time about $70.00.

I have herewith a report showing what the Clear Creek Monthly Meeting has done. This is the only direct report received by me. I have received three other letters containing four memberships (associate) for the Society of American Indians. I sent the names to the society's headquarters at Washington D.C. These monthly Meetings will receive the Quarterly Magazine which shows what remarkable headway the modern Indian is making through a struggle to help himself independent of the Indian Bureau. This forward movement is commendable and should receive the support of Friends. Information may be had from the Secretary, Mrs. Gertude Bonnin, 707 20th St, N.W. Washington, D.C.

which

This document/is more of a concern than a report is

Respectfully submitted

645 North Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, Calif.

March
14th
1918

General R. H. Pratt
The Ontario
Washington, D. C.

Dear General:

If I have not answered your letter
of Jan. 10th, it is because I have had ab-
solutely nothing to say, but now I have sev-
eral things to say. There is a faint shadow
of a glimmer of my being sent to France by the
Friends as a part of the Reconstruction Work.
I have volunteered, because oldish women are
soarce who have the nerve to do it. A much-
alive English (now American) Friend who seems
to have been observing my manoeuvres during
the past year encouraged me to make formal ap-
plication, as there is need for offers of per-
sonal service from older Friends, especially
women. After I had written my letter to the
Chairman of the Committee--Vincent D. Nichol-
son, Philadelphia, 20 South 12th St. he read
me a letter which he wrote, which was in part
as follows:

"Now I don't know Marianna Burgess' age but I know she is very young in spirit, very enthusiastic and very sympathetic with and for young people. She is entirely free from family ties, is very healthy and strong; is a good speaker and of quite a literary turn, has worked for many years amongst the Indians, especially at Carlisle. She is very well known to many of the Race St. Friends; frequently speaks in meeting very helpfully and suggestively.

She would be a splendid influence amongst
both the War Victims and the English and Amer-
ican workers. She is bright, breezy, vigorous,
strong, tough and motherly, and her moral and
social influence would be a great adjunct to

PEACE

Lewis Canby, Superintendent,
Winfield, Iowa

CHILD WELFARE

Goldie E. Mills, Supt.,
R. R. No. 3, Box 12, Decatur, Ill.

EQUAL RIGHTS

Mary A. Mills, Supt.,
McNabb, Illinois

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Mariana Burgess, Supt.,
740 Stevenson Ave., Pasadena, Cal.
1719 & Colorado St.

INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS

R. Morris Phillips, Supt.,
C. C. C. C., Cor. 10th and Wash. Sts
Des Moines, Iowa

ILLINOIS

YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS

EDITH M. P. MILLS, Chairman

McNabb, Illinois,

1719 E. Colorado St.
Pasadena, Calif.

1/27/20

Dear General Pratt:

I have spent a most delightful day at Riverside. A Friend took me down in his auto. The papers have been making conspicuous mention of a new Indian Association and a conference to be held all week in Riverside. These people knowing I am interested in Indian Affairs offered to take me over for the day. One Jonathan Tibbetso-called Pioneer Historian, seems to be on the right side of the question for he believes in the abolishment of the Bureau. Supt. Conser, of Sherman, and Inspector Sweet, of the Indian Service were present. Over a hundred dark Southern Calif. Indians present. I met several of our old students. Chief Standing Bear (Luther) made a telling speech in very simple, modest fashion, dressed in Indian. He had come from Long Pine to attend the meeting. I have not seen him since he left Carlisle. After Sweet had given a "soppy" speech promising to do all he could to satisfy their wishes and guaranteeing the Commissioner was their best friend on earth, stating that a treaty and ONE Indian unsatisfied, was a majority, Luther's speech had great weight, and then I could not sit still. Asking permission to say a word, I asked, Standing Bear, do you know me?" You ought to have seen him look, then the smile that went over his face. It was like a ray from heaven. "Oh, my teacher!" And turning to the audience, beaming countenance of joy "She was my first teacher." Then stretching forth his hands toward me, Mr. Tibbet President, bade me come forward, and if I didn't make Mr. Sweet look about like thirty cents. I was warm. I said "I know him not. He may be a very good man. Gorge Wharton James may be a good man. Every one of the 7000 Govt. Employees who are taking care of a few Indians may be good. I have met Commissioner Sells. He is very much of a gentleman, he may be an excellent man. Therefore many of my acquaintances in the Indian office. I love them all. But my dear Indian brothers, you know that Standing Bear says is the truth. The Indian Bureau may WANT to do all that they promise at the time it promises, but their hands are tied like babies. Get away from those bonds. Do you want to be MEN and WOMEN? You never will be free MEN and free WOMEN until that which holds you down is wiped OUT. If I were under the Bureau system now as I was for thirty years, I would be talking exactly as our friend of the Bureau talks and as Supt. Conser talks. If I didn't I would lose

PROPER PUBLICATIONS

Griffith E. Coale, Supt.,
West Liberty, Iowa

PURITY

Mary Van Syoc, Supt.,
Mt. Union, Iowa

TEMPERANCE AND
ANTI-NARCOTICS

Fannie G. Griffith, Supt.,
McNabb, Illinois

WORK AMONG COLORED
PEOPLE

Sadie Mills, Supt.,
1030 W. Wood St., Decatur, Ill.

PRISON REFORM

Theodore Russel, Supt.,
Winfield, Iowa