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Show 60 COMMISSJONER 'OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. For a long time I have desired to Wsit the Indians of the Southwest that I might closely study their problems. I have spent the last several weeks among the Apaches. Pimas, Papngos, and the Indians along the Colorado River. About a wee41 of this time was given to the Papfigo country. For many reasons I am convinced thnt the Papago Indians are among the most deserving of any people I have ever known. Their home for more than 200 years has been in the driest desert of the United Stntes. No branch of the Caucasian race could exist umer such conditions, and 1 doubt if there is another Indinn tribe thnt would do so. Under these circumstances chev have demonstrated that the g-e nius of neeessitv works out wonderful things. The Papngos hnve made their struggle unnssisted. nud their accomplishments, in view of their tremendous obstacles. are marvelous. Mtogether thGqre entitled to more kindly consideration than they hnve re-ceived, and it is my firm purpose to show the Pnpagos that we are willing to help those who have so valiantly helped themselves. In thls connection I should 8nY that their neighbors, the Pimas, aye an industrious and deserving people.. During my visit among them I found thewarm side of-the Apaches. I am msunded that they, too, respond to the hand of PriendsNp nod that their rapid aavnncement is assured with sympathetic cooperation. There are importnut. and pressing problems demanding administrative action for the several tribes and bauds of Indinns along the Colorado River. All of the tribes recently vie-ited by me will hnve the earnest add best attention of which I am capable. . ' In our labors with these primitive people we are too prone to become impa-tlent. There is a disposition to expect a revolution rather thnn an evolution such as has come about in 2,000 years of the white man's civilization. It is nnfnir, it is unjust, to expect more rapid progress from the Indian thnn iq &ohown in the development of the white ree. I f 1were culled upon to iudi-cute the o~icimportnnt word in our relations with the Red Man, it would be patience. In this splendid audience of service employees and friends of the Indinn there nre.n large number of returned students. Let me briefly n d d r w . m l f espe; cially to the products of our Indian schools. . . _ % ,,:: I 5nd among returned students on the reservations something of unrest-+ moie general tendency to want a job in the service than is best for their own fntore. The real genius of our Jndian schools is industrial in its purpose nub should be in its nccompllshments. 'There are but few, if any, ednented In-dians who can not return to their allotments and soon become self-supporting in ngrlcultural and stock-raising pursuits, and espedally is thls true when. under proper circumstances to extend it, advantage is tnken of the reimburs-able fund. There are thousands of white tenant farmers struggling to pay off their annually given crop mortgage who would be thankful for the opportunity of the Indian, who has an allotment and the privilege of n reimbursable non-interest- bearing loan. A job as policeman or a clerkship is menial in compnrl-. son to the dignity and prosperity to be attained by independent effort with such advantages. "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Let me give you an illustra-tion: I have a son, a junior in the UniversM~o f Chicago. School is now in va-cation. Is he spending the summer ns an idler, indolently waitlug for the opening of the new year? No: he is this sunlmer spending every \vorlcing hour earning mouey to help him through the next school year. When he fails to do this he will not go back. This treatment is not chastisement ; it is tmin-ine. I take this course because I love him. and he wiilinelv remuds. It is hekuse I am the Indian's friend that I s&k plainly. he best friend is the one who tells the truth and does not deal in ci r~mveut iono r deception. |