OCR Text |
Show i o ~OMMI S ~ IONEORF INDIAN UFMBs . $6,696,500. On July 1, 1911, $10,735,700 were on hand. Thus, in 1910 receipts increased by over 16 per cent; disbursements, however, increased by over 18 per cent. In 1911 receipts decreased by 26 per cent, but disbursements decreased by only 12 per cent. Furthermore, an analysis of disbursements indicates the policies under which these funds have been administered; the amount annually placed directly in the hands of Indians, as means of developing responsibility, has remained rather constant at about $2,300,000; but the amounts checked out of depositories by Indians, with the approval of the Indian Office, for use in beneficial ways, were $2,103,600 in 1909, $2,543,500 in 1910, and $4,339900 in 1911; in other words, in 1910 there was an increase of 20 per cent over 1909, and in 1911 an increase of 70 per cent over 1910. If one remembers that these funds repre-sent the only ready assets of many of the Indians-the only hancial means they have of improving their condition-and that the owners are as yet either, in fact, rncompetent for complete control of their property or have of their own accord remained in the class of incom-petents by failing to apply for patents in fee or certificates of com-petency, it is difficult to avoid a conclusion that much greater liberality has been used in managing this part of the Indians' estate than would be permitted to a guardian of white citizens who were in similar circumstances. Of the $20,821,400 individual Indian moneys disbursed between July 1, 1908, and June 30, 1911, the Indians have undoubtedly ex-pended a part in unwise ways, but they have also used considerable sums to purchase good grades of work horses, implements, and equip-ment, and to erect modern houses and barns. For example, during the last four months of the fiscal year 1911 members of the Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma erected 88 houses and 22 barns, using almost entirely their individual Indian moneys. In the administration of Indian affairs no reform more intimately affecting the welfare of Indians has been made than the change in the administration of individual Indian money enforced, after abun-dant notice to the public, under the Secretary's order of December 17, 1909; this order provided that thereafter no assistance should be given to creditors in collecting from Indian debtors. Before the time of this order, in the face of a regulation promulgated as early as 1880 Indian traders and other creditors had in effect presented their bills to the superintendents in charge of reservations. In order that there might be no chance for a complaint against the Government, based on past practices, provision was made not only that thereafter all persons extending credit to Indians should do so entirely at their own risk, but also that all debts contracted by In-dians before December 17, 1909, and unpaid, should be scheduled, scrutinized, and made stated accounts, so far as they were found just. |