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Show 20 REPORT OF THE COhlMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. Arrangements have been made for the purchaseof the property of the Presbyterian Mission school at the Zuiii pueblo, New Mexico, and for the conversion of that school into a Government school. TRANSFERS OF PUPUS. In making transfers of pupIls from the various reservations to non-reservation schools the country has been divided into districts, aud each nonreservation school allotted a specified territory. This arrange-ment avoids the clashing of the representatives of the various schools, and will in my judgment be a saving in the item of transportation of pupils. RECOMMENDATIONB. The greatest desideratum at the majority of schools is adequate water facilities, both for sanitary purposes and for fire protection Witllont an abundant supply of water, it is almost impossible properly to dispose of the sewage. Whenever it has been possible with the means at my disposal, I have endeavored to remedy these defects, but in several c a~e st he schools were, in the first instanc6, located so injudicioiisly that to obtain water would cost alniost a% much as the abandonment of the plant and its reerection in a more advantageons position. In the erection of new plants this matter has been carefully canvassed, and, no matter what advantages the proposed site might have otherwise, if deficient in water it has not been selected. Hygienic condihons are of the first importance, especially as the death of one pupil at all Indian school often operates disslstronsly on future efforts to induce the parents in his neighborhood to patronize the school. Most of the school buildings heretofore erected have been of wood, and the annual loss from fire as shown by the records of this office has approximated $30,000. Coal-oil lamps are largely responsible for this damage, and I am of the opinion that in the larger schools the use of electric-light plants and better water facilities will do much toward minimizing the dal~gefrr om fire. The introduction into these schools of electrical plants, besides reducing the constant menace from fires, would be in d~reclti ne with the policy of this office to give the Indian a practical industrial trainlug. I respectfully recommend that the Phoenix (Ariz.) school be increased to at least 500 pupils on account of its favored location. For several years past this school has been unable to accommodate half of those applying for admission. The Chilocco Bchool is as admirably situated as that at Phoenix, and its usefulness would be greatly increased by making its capacity 500 pupils. Upon the Pacific Coast either Salem or Puyallup should receive a like consideration. The enlargement of these and a few other nonreservation schools would in a measure obviate the trying climatic changes resulting from the transfer of pupils to distant schools. The highland Indians of the Southwest can not stand the humidity of other sections, while the Northern Indian also suffers by a sudden change in his euviromnent. |