OCR Text |
Show . 44 COMWSSIONEB OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Construction of somewhat similar nature has been p.ifformed on the Uintah project, the Fort Hall project, and to a limited extent on the Yakima project in Washington, although in the past year insufficient funds have been available at the latter place to do more, than the most urgent repair work. On the Colorado River Reservation the laterals were extended to additiona~a reas b i n g farmed by the Indians, and on the Gila River Reservation the necessary laterals were constructed to supply many of the newallotments which the Indians areo&upying and bring-ing udder cultivation nearly as fast as the limited amount of water available will warrant. Active maintenance and betterment work was done upon the Fort Hall, Modoc Point, Pine River Valley, Hog-back, Fort Belknap, Ganado, and the several mission reservations in California and others. In southern California during January, 1916, a large portion of the country was deeastated by the greatest flood known in recent years. The Pala, Rincon, Soboba, La Jolla, Campo, Morongo, and Palm Springs Reservations, all in California, suffered considerably, and first report's indicated almost complete destruction of some of the irrigation work. However, prompt and vigorous repairs were ihstituted, and practically-all lands were being supplied with water by the time that they needed ifrigation, at a total expenditure OF less than $20,000 for the repairs. With few exceptions the projects were again placed in fist-class operating conditions. At Pala further expendittres will be needed to replace permanently the south side diversion. Though temporary works have been pravided for this year, it has not yet been possible to arrange an economical permbent plan on account of the great erosion along the river. A more sub-stantial ~rotectionis needed against the ravages of the San Jaeinto River at the Soboba Reservation. l'lins are being perfected to CO- - operate with owners of private lands whi& were also damaged, to accomplish these results. One of the subordinate but important phases of irrigation work is the opportunity given many of the Indians of laboring upon irri-gation construction. For the fiscal year 1916 the sum of $165,330.95 was paid to these Indian laborers upon the various projects, and not only was this money of direct benefit to them but they were in-structed in habits of industry and self-support. Indeed, in many instances, by exercising considerable patience the irrigation officers have trained many Indians in various occupations, such as concrete . . workers, carpenters, engine operators, earth excavation, etc., so that a large number of Indians were benefited in many ways. Some of 'these Indians have even developed su5cient skill along these limes to act as foremen directing the work of others. While it is doubtless a fact that the initial cost of the irrigation work considered only. as |