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Show T OF THE II The Honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, B » 0. My dear Mr, Commissioners I have the honor to a& viss that I have made a careful investigation r « cr9r « 4 » flr tne newspaper clipping en-,^" closed herewith, which were published in the Durango Democrat and the Denver Post, and I find these articles misleading and of a nature that will cause a misunderstanding of the situation and the attitude of a big majority of the Indians on this reservation an£, I believe, upon the lite Mountain reservation as irnil. The best authority I can get from the leading citizens of Durango points to the supposition that most all of this is the work of som ® per-? son who wishes to excit ® public comment and later on pose as a peace maker by quieting some imaginary uprising of the Indians. The leading citizens of Durango including the members of the Home Council of Defence are very indignant that their local papers should publish such misleading articles, especially during the present strenuous times. 2i believe the enclosed petition from the ranchers along Montezuma Creek was gotten up by some local man who has hopes of being employed later on to bring about the proposed negotiation. I have talked/ with the Ute Mountain agency very recently and they assure me that they have no ^ knowledge of these conditions as published in these articles. The whole situation seems to point to some person or persons who wish to obtain public notice and later if possible, profit by the misinformed public ppinion* Kone ox the newspapers or outside people who seem interested in this matter, have consulted any official at this agency or at Ute Mountain. Upon our next issue day which is September 2, I will call together all the Utes of this jurisdiction and explain the matter fully to them, and also show tnwm the |
