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Show 4 COMMISSIONEB INDIAN AFFAIRS. land8. This is Particularly true in several reservations where large sums of publfc or tribal funds have been used in constructing irrigation systems, and is in Part the reason why Such large areas of irrigable and other agricultural lands are not under cultivation. The valuable grazing lands of the Indians offer unusual opportunities for increarring the meat supply of the country, at the same time furnishing a profit-able employment for the Indians as well as utiliaing their valuable grazing landa During the last year the Indians cultivated less than 600,000 acres of thelr vast area of agricultural lands. During the fiscal year covered by this report there has been the greatest activity in pushing farming and other industrial activi-ties on Indian reservations, in purchasing tribal herds for Indians in order to stock their reservations with cattle, in upbreeding the low grade of horses, sheep, and cattle belonging to the Indians, in suppressing the liquor traffic among Indians, in protecting the In-dians in their property rightsand particularly the Indian minors of Oklahoma-in bringing about cooperation among the employecs of the Indian Service and coordinating and unifying their efforts in promoting the best interests of the Indians, in raising the standard of Indian schools and providing school facilities for In-dian children heretofore without school advantages, in improving the deplorable health conditions of the Indians and providing hos-pitals for thousands of Indians suffering with trachoma and tuber-culosis, in improving the purchasing system of the Indian Service, in procuring needed legislation for promoting the industrial ad-vancement of the Indians, and in general endeavoring to place the Indian Service, which I found disorganized and discouraged, on n sound, economical, efficient business basis, working in harmony and with enthusiasm with a view of promoting the best interests of the Indians, who are the wards of the Government. The following pages cover in narrative and statistical form these various activities. INDIAN VIEWPOINT. No real understanding can be had in any work involving social serrice unless there is a clear comprehension of the viewpoint of those served. With that,thought in mind I have endeavored in every way practicable, by personal interviews and by personal exami-nation of correspondence with Indians when possible, to ascertain clearly their thoughts and ideas in connection with efforts being car-ried on for their benefit. I find this of extreme value, because often-times the Indian's objection to various plans made in his behalf may be based on minor consideration which can be eliminated easily to the satisfaction of the Indian and without seriously interfering with .the successful outcome of the plans devised for his interests. As the individualization of the tribal property takes place the Indians' interests in their personal helongings develop. In order |