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Show was taken thereon by Congress. Believing that this is a highly impor-tant work and that the expenditure of their funds for its completion will result in much more benefit to the Indians than their use in any other way, I shall, at the beginning of the next session of Congress, renew that rewmmeudation. When the work is completed the Indians can be allotted their lands in severalty, and they will doubtless he willing to cede a considerable portion of their reservation. Mr. Graves having been recently appointed an inspector, Mr. W. B. Hill has been placed in charge to continue the work under instructions of April 19 to his predecessor. Port Belknap Reservation, MontJune 7,1898, the Department granted authority for the Fort Belknap agent to expend not exceeding $32,210 in the construction of a system of irrigation known as system No. 1 and in repairs to the Peoples Creek system. The Department also stated that it appeared that the extension of the Peoples Creek system, at an estimated cost of $2,970, was very much needed, and said that if work on the extension could be carried on while that on system No. 1 was in progress it might be included in the expenditure authorized. The Department also suggested the advisability of considering the agenVs recommendation that another system (No. 2) be constructed immediately. After correspondence with Agent Bays the office recom-mended, July 27,1898, that authority be granted for the construction of system No. 2 at a cost not to exceed $34,963, which authority was given September 12. These expenaitnres are all payable from funds belonging to the Indians. Fort Peck Reservation, Mont.-In a report upon the Fort Peck Agency dated August 4,1897, Inspector McConnell called attention to the abso-lute necessity for an extensive system of irrigation on this reservation if the Indians were ever to bewme self-supporting. As the Indians had no funds of their own the office recommended, December 8,1897, that Oongress be asked to appropriate the sum of $140,000 for the con-struction of a system of irrigation on the Fort Peck Reservation; but favorable action was not taken by Congress. It is represented that the Indians are desirous of ceding 8 portion of their reservation so as to obtain funds for irrigation, but it is doubtful if there is any existing authority of law for negotiating with them. The matter will be fur-therconsidered with a view of obtaining sudh authority if it be deemed necessary and advisable. Miscellaneous.-The bulk of the appropriation for irrigation for the fiscal year 1898 has been expended as follows: Southern Ute, in Colorado ...................................... $8,500 Uintah, in Utah ................................................ 9,210 Wind River, in Wyoming ...................................... 1,525 Yekims, in Washington ........................................ 1,946 Flathead, in Montana .......................................... 3,598 Eyramid Lake and Walker River, in Neveds .................... 900 Navajo, in Arizona ............................................. 500 Western Shoshone, in Nevada.. ................................. 500 |
