OCR Text |
Show 38 OOMMISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFFAIF~S. through the regular governmental channels in buying the stock and supplies required after competitive proposals are received. Expe-rience has demonstrated this procedure to be preferable to one which would permit the Indians to buy individually in smd quantities. The purchases made by the Government have been usually in large quantities, representing the combined needs of a number of Indians, and much lower prices have been obtained. As an indication of what has been accomplished in buying equipment for the Indians at the minimum cost, reports before me show that wagons which the Govern-ment bought and sold to the Indians at one of the southwestern reservations, at a cost of $90 on the reimbursable plan, were selling locally for $180. The tribal herds of cattle established from funds of this character in previous fiscal years have proven profitable, and when the time arrives for turning the stock over to the Indians they will then have an excellent means for attaining selfsupport. The increases from these herds u~ill eventually be utilized in making repayments to the Treasury of the amounts expended in the establishment and maintenance of the various herds, and it may be said that the Gov-ernment is therefore certain of reimbursement. Where property has been bought and sold to individuals, they have been required to sign contracts providing for repayment of the amount of money expended in buying the property delivered to them, and it has been found that they, as a rule, have conscien-tiously endeavored to live up to their agreements and utilize the property bought to the best advantage. There have been cases where the Indians were unable to make payments upon their ac-counts on the specific dates agreed upon, and in all cases where such failure was found due to causes beyond the control of the debtors, the delinquent Indians were given further time in which to pay the amounts due. The Indians generally appreciate the benefits which may be derived through participation in the use of reimbursable funds. Altogether, the mimbursable fund has been wonderfully helpful. It has been our purpose to permit the us6 of these funds only by those who have demonstrated or given evidence of their willingness and ability to make good use of them, character,. industry, and desire to do things looking toward sdsupport being chief elements in selecting the Indians upon whom this opportunity is confe~~ed. Unquestionably many deserving Indians have through this means been given a substantial start who would not otherwise have been able to utilize their allot~uentst o the best advantage. |