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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF IXDIAN AFFAIRS. 23 eftort. The present school plant is inadequate, and not in good condi. tiou. No estimate for repairs has been made because it was thought unwise to expend any more money upon this plant until t,he question of its removal had been determined. It is suggested that economy and good service require a change in location of this school, and uhould Congress authorize the same some suitable site can be readily found in southern California, where all conditions of climate, soil, water, and other essential conveniences, may be met, thus insuring a successful school in an important district. SUPERVISION AND MSPECTION. The establishment of two school supervisors' positions'iu addition to those already allowed has been of material advantage in the admin-istration of the school service. The large and increasing number of schools renders adequate supervision by the old force impossible. In order that the work of the supervisors might be simplified, and give each an opportunity to visit several times each year the schools under his charge, the country was divided into five districts. In this way supervisors can see what progress the schools are making, observe their organization, methods, and morale, and secure sufficient compara-tive data for keeping the Indian Office fully advised upon the merits or demerits of its system, and the advancement or retrogression of employees aud pupils. During each year many thousands of dollars are expended in the erection of new school plants, and improvements and repairs upon old ones. New sites for schools are to be selected, and special emphasis is placed upon adequate sewer and water facilities. Too frequently the Indian Office in these matters must rely upon the untechnical knowl-edge of fie officials. The amount and character of this work requires the best and most skillfal expert inspection in every stage. Cougress has recognized this deficiency in. another branch of the service by pro-viding that one of the Indian inspectors " shall he an engineer compe-tent in the location, construction, and maintenance of irrigation works." No matter how perfect a plan may be prepared, if the same has not been constructed in a competent, workmanlike manner, the service must sufter. The Government has over $3,000,000 invested in buildings for Indian schools, a,nd sucli vast property should be inspected by some one conlpetent to intelligently and skillfully direct aud recommend what repairs, improvements, or necessary changes are requisite. It is therefore suggested that such an official be provided for the Indian school service at a salary sufficient to command the services of a com-petsnt expert. INDIAN SUHOOL REILVICE INSTITUTE. One of the most successf~~Inl dian school service iirstit~~teins the history of India11 educatio~w~a s held from July 18 to Anguat 5, 1898, at Colorado Springs, Colo. Under the inspiration of the superintendent of Indian schools a large number of workers were brought together for mutual iuterchange of ideas, thoughts, and suggestions. |