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Show COMMISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 59 service have been exercised. These ixhibits show tlie &enability of the individuals of the race to the civilizing influences which have been thrown around them. Beginning with the first step in their education, there were displayed the courses of study in schooIrooms apd shops by means of classroom papers and articles manufactured by pupils. Specimens of printing and mngnzine work executed by Indian apprentices were revelations of a latent artistic temperament. The teaching of grades from the elementary manual training to electrical engineering was exemplified. Exhibits of furniture and model houses made by Indian boys and the products of the domestic-science departments, represented by canned fruits nnd vegetables, needlework, and tailor-made suits attracted attention. The agricul-tural exhibit was both creditable and instructive. Native Indian arts were not overlooked, and fine specimens of blanket weaving, basketry, pottery, willowware, bead, leather, and bark designs illustrated the innate ingenuity and deft workmanship of the Indians in their original state, as well as the value, artistic wd intrinsic, of the skill which they bring with them into their latter-day life. Four blankets were especially worthy of mention. These were the prize winners in a contest open to all the Navajos, and were mar-velous products of the skill of the workers in their proportion, color-ing, and technical execution. They served their purpose here, as well as setting a standprd for the Navajos, of showing a discriminating public the wonderful difference, intrinsically and artisti~allyb, etween the loosely woven analme-dyed rugs woven for a quick sale and the finished article, into which the Navajo woman has placed months.of toil and interlaced the mysterious cult of the old religions. Pictures showing comparative scenes 'illustrative of the Indians' health condition and the forceful care which is being taken to pre-vent the spread of diseases were objects of deep interest. The supervising jury of the international exposition awarded to the Bureau of Indian Affairs the medal of honor for its collective exhibit in the educational group. There were 35 Indian schools named as participants in this honor. A gold medal was also awarded to the bureau for the betterment of social and economic conditions of the Indians. The following condensed summary of the extemporaneous address made by me at the conference of employees, returned students, and others, held during the Sun Francisco Exposition, is here reproduced as reported by Edgar A. Allen, superintendent of the Chilocco In-dian School: I nm greatly pleased to participnte in this vent conference of employees, returned students, and others, whom I mny properly assume are deeply inter-ested in Indinn welfare. |