OCR Text |
Show Mi60ellaneona.-The greater portion of the appropriation of $30,000 for irrigation on Indian reservations for the fiscal year 1896 has been expended on the Ui~ltahM, ission, San Carlos, and Western Shoshone reservations. In my last annual report I emphasized the recommendation of my predecessor for the appointment of some suitable and competent man to superintend the work of irrigation construction, and in special reports urged upon Congresu at its last session the necessity for legis-lation authorizing the appointment of such superintendent. The only legislation obtained in this direction was a provision that $2,700 of the appropriation for irrigation might be used for the temporary employ-ment of persons of practical experience in irrigation work at a compen-sation not to exceed $75 per month each, and that not exceeding $1,500 might be used for their necessary traveling and incidental expenses. When it is considered that a foreman in charge of laborers is paid $75 per month, and that a competent irrigation engineer commands from $2,OU0 to $3,000 per annnm, it will be readily seen that this pro-vision will afford no relief. What is needed is an engineer of expe-rience in irrigation work who is competent to plan and construct asys-tem of irrigation, and to investigate and report upon recommendations made by agents for the expenditure of funds involving new construe. tion. It is not possible to procure the services of such a man for less than $2,000 per annnm. The amount appropriated ($4,200) would be more than sufficient for the employment of such an engineer, but the limitation of $75 per month makes it of no avail. I earnestly hope that Congress at its next session will provide for a superintendent of irrigation in accordance with the repeated recommendations of thls office and the Department. COMMISSIONS. Crow, Flathead, Northern Cheyenne, Fort Hall, Uintah, and Yakima.-- The Indian appropriation act for the current fiscal year authorizes the appointment by the Secretary of the Interior of a commission to con-sist of three persons, not more than two of whom shall be of the same political party and not more than one of whom shall be resident of any one State, to negotiate with the following Indians, viz: The Crow and Flathead Indians in Montana for the cession of portions of their respective reservations; the Northern Cheyennes and Crows for the removal of the Northern Cheyennes from their present reservation on theRosebud River to the southern portionof theorow Reservation; the Indians of the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho, the Uintah Reservation in Utah, and the Yakima Reservation in Washington, for che surren-der of anyportions of their respective reservations, and for such modi-fication of esisting treaties with them as may be deemed desirable by the Indians and the Secretary of the Iuterior; any agreement thus negotiated to be subject to ratification by Congress. |