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Show OOMMISS10NEB OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. . 39 believed that with this bettkr understanding the help to be derived will cause many others to take advantage of their opportunity. i The following letter recently e r i t t e n by the commissioner to an Indian living' in Arizona gives unmistakable evidence .of 'the desira- , . bility, pdbiiities, and appreciation of the reimbursable fund: I Mr. McGm, Hackbe?7'u, Ariz. MY Fmno: Under date of October 15, 1915, you purchased from the Buper-intendent of the Truxton Canon School 10 head of cows for a total consideration of $470. These cows were purchased for you under the reimbursable plan and an agreement entered iuto between you and your superintendent on behalf of the Government for the amount expended for you in the purchase. Your agreement provided that the title to the animals, free and unencumbered, would pass to you upon full payment for the same and gave yon four years in ! which to complete the payment. The flrst installment, amounting to $150, will not be due until January 1, 1918, and the flnal installment, amounting to. $320, 1 will not be due until January 1, 1919. I have just been advised by your superintendent that during the month of August,. 1914 you had found it to your advantage to make immediate full settlement for the cows, thus closing out your reimbllrsable account, notwith-standing the fact that you have remaining a period of nearly two and one-half . years in which to complete your payments. Thigds very commendable In you and clearly demonstrates what can be done by one who is willing to exert the necessary energy and display the proper interest in the things which make for his best welfare. Your superintendent tells me that he has granted you permission to remove the cows and all the increase from them to a range oE the reservation where you have about 50 or 60 other head of cattle and where proper range and water can be provided for them. I understapd that the other cattle owned by you were acquired through the personal efforts of yourself and wife by hard work and the proper investment of your funds. Through your combined energy and good judgment yon have achieved a success for which you both deserve a great deal of credit, and I take this opportunity to congratulate yon and to wish you success in the handling df this and other stock acquired by you from time to time as well as in all other enterprises undertaken by you in the future. EMPLOYMENT OF INDIANS. From an economic viewpoint the progress of the returned students offers assurance for the future. Indians are engaged in industrial \. activities, both agricultural and mechanical, on t h e different reser-vations, and as laborers on work of every character, including ditches, roads, bridges, eta. Many are self-supporting and prosper-ous on their allotments. Over 200 Indian boys were employed in the beet fields at Rocky Ford, Colo., and ~ a r d e nC ity;, Kans., dur ing t h e season 1915 and - earned $17,790.55. ! ' , The. Navajb pupils alone have on deposit to their credit $3,301.81 froni their share of the work. This was used for clothing and to buy sheep. More than 80 boys have herds of sheep. . ' I |
