OCR Text |
Show this timber to go to waste, and with this dry season it is in imminent danger of being destroyed by fire. The timber that has been cut is that which was most convenient for banking. The remaining timber not out over is so emote from the streams that under thelaw under which the cutting and banking has heretofore been done, it is hardly praeti-oable to put in the 20,000,000 feet for the amount appropriated for that purpose. I am of the opinion that the law should be amended 80 to permit the paying a higher price to contractors; an appropriation of $125,000, or so much of it a8 was necessary, I do not think would be out of place. In reletion to the cut-over lands I vould reapeotfully suggest that the Indians be allowed to e-o on and relnmber that on the same terms tha t shinxlle bolta were got uut, to wit: I l l the logs mintla drnlir~g,r atircelloucuud expense, nud 1l.e 10 per can1 for the poor. Thia wuul;l illrni*h rltrrcl e~l.lpl u.y !seur pendin-g an ncfion uf Cull-. m* ess.. makine a lar.e- er aD..u roo.r ilution for bankin-e loe...s .. and on the sale of lo-g s so got out firrrrirlc tlloln 111" ~nrandul'guingo\fv~ir lwur iur.ttrring so much intlebrcdness. If tbia arrang.rn lent rollld be made I rhink ir n.ual<lL a runrh barter, i t ir o ~ nbe done, that no more new outting be done nntil a larger appropriation for the purpose is made. In oonclusion, I would respeotfully request that an inspector be sent here toinves-tigste and report on what ia neoesst%ry. The time far preparation for the winter's work i u near at hand and I only regret that this matter has not been reported to on earlier. To the above this office replied, October 18,1893, as follows: I em in receipt of your oommuniothtion of 18th ultimo, in regard to logging by the Menomonens, and I am also in receipt of a letter from Gen. E. Whittlesey, secretary board of Indian commibaionera, in reference to the same subject, wherein he takes s. nearly similar view of the matter to yours. It appears that the cutting during the last three or four seasons has been badly managed; that the best trees only were selected, end that 20 per oeno of 13,000,000 feet has been left to go to waste. It appears further that, owing to the scattered condition of this timber, and the fact that much of it ie faulty, it can not be banked as cheaply, nor is it likely to bring 88 muah as that banked by these Indians heretofore, under the proviaions of the act of June 12,1690, and you suggest that the sot be amended so as to allow $125,000 to be used in paying for the banking in phoe of only $75,000, or that the Indians be allowed to bank this timber and receive the entire proceeds of its sale, except the necessary expense for scaling, ete., and 10 per cent for the poor fund. In these suggestions Gen. Whittlesey agrees with you substantially. In reply yon are informed that so long as the act stands its provisions must be etriooly complied with, and there is no likelihood of any change being made in it in the near future, as it would be almost impossible to obtain my new legislation in regard to it at present. You will therefore consult with the logging superintendent and submit to tbis office at aa early a day as practiaable a set of rules to govern the logging operations of theae Indiana daring the coming season, which rules, however, must be in strict harmony with the aet. To this the agent replied, October 27,1893, viz: I have the honor to state, in reply to letter of October 18, 1893, instructingme to consult with the logging superintendent and submit a set of rules to govern log-ging operations during the coming EessOn, to be in striet harmony with the act, that after carefully considering what is most needful far the Indians and to their best interests, and a study of the rules adopted by the Indian Department in letter of September 28,1892, far logging operations for the winter of 1892 and1893, we have coneluded that no better set of rules could be formulated in the limited time, snd I |