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Show 34 REPORT OF TAE COMMI88IONER OF INDIAN AFFAIR^, The expenditure of $2,855 from funds belonging to the Indians has been authorized on the Blackfeet, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peck reser. vations in Montana. An abundant water snpply for the Indians located upon reservations in the arid and semi-arid regions is an absolutc necessity if the allot-ment policy is to be snccessfully applied to these Indians. I am there-fore of the opinion that the appropriatiot~ for irrigation purposes should be materially increased for the next two or three years. There is also a necessity, where systems of any considerable magni-tude have been constructed, as on the Yakima and Uintah reserva-tions, that there should be an engineer or superintendent of constructed ditches, that the work may be kept in repair and properly utilized. The wording of the appropriation should therefore be changed, so as to permit beyond question the employment of such superintendents where needed. I also concnr in the opinion of my two immediate predecessors as to the necessity for the appointment of some suitable and competent man to snperintend the work of irrigation construction, and to report upon the requests of the various Indian agents for irrigation expenditures. The appropriatioi~fo r the current year allows the use of not exceeding $2,700- for the temporary employment of peraons of practical experienoe in irrigation work at a aompansatian not to exceed $100 per month each, and not sxoeeding $1,500 for necessary traveling and inoidental expenses of such persons. The limit of $100 per month does not permit the employment of a skilled and competent engineer, while there is a question whether the word "temporary" will permit the employment of a superintendent of constructed ditches. I am of the opinion that this appropriation should read as follows: For oonstrootion of ditohes and reservoirs, purchase and nse of irrigating ma-chinery, tools, and appliances, and pnrohase of water rights an Indian reservations, in the discretion of the Beoretay of the Interior and suh,jiect to his oontro1,forty thousand dollars; and of this amonnt not exceeding three thoasand five hnndred dollars may be used for the employment of a, super~isoro f irrigation, incloding hi. necessary travelling and incidental expenses, and not exoeeding three thoasand ail hundred dollms for the employment of superintendents of construnted ditches, at s compensation not exceeding twelve hundred dollars per ennolu each, on 1.e8erva-tions where such employment is neoessaq. The estimate for the next fiscal year will be submitted in this form. NEGOTIATIONS WITH INDIAN TRIBES. Shoshone Reservation, Wyoming; Big Horn or Owl Creek Rot Springs.- For several years this offlce has received communications from agents of the Shoshone Agency, membersof Congress, and others, respecting the importance of certain springs located in the northeastern portion of the Shoshone India11 Reservation, lrrloan both as the "Owl Cret.lin |
