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Show 12 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN mAIES realized, through the " show " rojects that offer constant induce-ments to the Indians to leave Zeir homes and local means,of sup-port for pleasurable attractions of various kinds that usuall brin them little or nothing above subsistence and the manaf ers oT whica often go broke " and leave the Indians stranded hun reds of miles from home. If departmental sanction were given to all the requests received for Indians, from a few dozen to several hundred, to add savage scenery to wild-west performances or give so-called pageantry a pagan coloring, thousands of the Indians would be on the road much of their time with nothing at home of any value when they returned. This phase of the Indian situation is mentioned to suggest how helpful to our work would be the sentiment of white folks every-where in support of a policy that would save the Indian from vaga-bondage and encourage him in self-help thrift, and the art of in-dividual industry that he must learn and practice in order to be fit to survive in the midst of modern competition from which eveutu-ally no power can save him. INDUSTSURRVIEAY LAN D FIVE-YEAR PROGWMthe.- f-aIc~e of vari-ous obstacles, however, there was a substantial forward movement last year. The industrial surveys started two years ago have ac-complished much in awakenin Indians to a self-supporting use of their resources. The persona? visits of superintendents to their homes have created a bond of common interest, which makes a solid foundation on which to work. The superintendents are unanimous in saying that this experience has been the greatest single factor in obtaining the cooperation of the Indians. These surveys are made as a part of the program by which a certain objective is set for five years with plans for its attainment. All assistance is being given the Indians to make use of their posses-sions and improve their living conditions. Letters received from superintendents throughout the service report more industrial ac-tivity last year and larger acreage under cultivation than ever be-fore. STOCRKA ISIN~.-T~li~ve stock industry of the Indians, notwith-standing adverse conditions in the country at larg?, show advances during the year, especially noticeable in the Navajo country where the effort of the Government to have Indlans improve their sheep is beginning to be appreciated, as shown by their request for a suffi-cient number of high-grade rams to im rove the grade of them sheep, to be aid for in cash or on the reim g ursable plan from individual funds- - A general survey of the dairy industry on the various reservations was made during the year. This has resulted in the elimination of many unprofitable animals and the increased efficiency of those re-tained in the herds. or the addition of first-class animals .to realace those disposed of. ' A The campaign to have Indians m o v e their worthless horses from the range and dispose of them, so that the grazing might be avail-able for more valuable stock, has been carried on for several yean with better results the past ear, during which the Indians of the okane Reservation fprwa r i ed a petition requesting approval of a spf' an to dispose of their worthless horses and replace them on the |
