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Show REPORT OR TIlE COhlMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 19 a te~uporarya nd perishable nature, and of necessity requires constant attention and adequate expenditures for its preservation and improve- Iueut; therefore, at least for several years to come, the amount of funds appropriated h r t,his purpose should not be below the actnal necessities, as necessary economy then becomes subversive of good and effective results. In congregating and sheltering the great number of comparatively liclpless children in the various Indian schools, in considering their u~lcivilized nature and past environment, it becomes a matter of much concern and moral responsibility to so arrange and equip these institu-ti0116 that they ma.y possess every safeguard against danger known to modern construction. The great majority of the old buildings were without any provisions for escape should a 6re take place, in view of which fact, and that the greater number of children are quartered in the upper stories, together with the constant menace of fire from the use of kerosene lamps, prompt and vigorous measures have been taken to introduce fire escapes, staudpipe and hose, and other methods for quenching 6res in their incipient stages. It being impossible to fully equip all the buildings within a limited time with proper means for fire escape, a circular was issued directing the attention of agents and superintendents to theimportance of such measures, and they were told "that where adequate fire protection has been provided it. should be plwed in charge of some one or more employees whose duty shall be to see each day that the apparatus is in good workiug order. Where no soch provisious have been made, in halls, dormitories, commissary rooms, and wherever there is danger of fire should be placed pails iilled with water ready for immediate use. These pails should be filled with fresh water at least &vice each week and inspected daily. Snper-visors and other inspecting officials are directed to thoroughly invest,i-gate this matter at each school, and a dereliction in obeying this order will be considered a grave oEense and dealt with acwrdingly.!' For various reasons many of the buildings have been constructed of wood. This practice is not conducive to eoonomy, since the temporary and perishable nature of the material requires greater expense in the nature of repairs, to say nothing of the great danger of destruction by fire, especially where the water supply is not adequate to the neces-sities of the service. In view, therefore, of these facts, wherever possi-ble, buildings of a permanent nature have been erected, believing it to be for the best interests of both the Government and of the service. Great attention has been paid to eEective sanitation, which can only be obtained through systems of sewerage and auxiliary house plumb-ing. In the location of new school pla,nta the adequacy and sufficiency of water supply is a matter of primary consideration, and outweighs all others in the opinion of this office for such a site. Ooincident with other necessary and modern improvements that are now being iutro-duced and contemplated, much importance has been given the subject |