OCR Text |
Show advised, that he will eapect one-seventh of the entire area to bo reclaimed each year during the seven years extension. This will necessitate putting ten thousand acres under ctiltivation each year, a task, which if the Indian must be put on his allotment, is as impracticable today as it was in 1906, for the difference in the cultivated areas by Indians between then and now is hardly appreciable. One year ago we recommended, as a first step for the protection of the Indian, the abolishment of the position of Indian Agent, then filled by a United States Army Officer, in charge, and the appointment of a superintendent, whose sole duty wo\:ld be-the promotion of the Indians' welfare. and we cautioned against the appointment of "any person having local affiliations or political obligations." Since then the military arm of the service has been withdrawn from the reservation. The commanding officer of the post, and acting agent of the Uinta and Ouray Agency, has been succeeded by temporary appointees of the Indian service. One seventh of the extended period within which something should have been done towards acquiring perfected water rights has elapsed with no one in charge to suggest a policy or plan, the carrying out of which would be under his direction and for the ultimate results of which he must be responsible. |