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Show REPORT OF 'PEIE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFE'AIRS. 33 ablest educators in America, while those present at the Buffalo con-vention were afforded the opportunity of studying the Indian exhibit and the various educationaI displays at the Pan-American Expoaition. The marvelous improvement that has been accomplished in the edu-cation of the Indian youth was shown by the collection of literary and industrial work displayed at Detroit. The display consisted of regular schoolroom work, fancy work, plain sewing, mending, darning, and work in wood, iron, and leather. A11 of this was excellently done, and the practical work attracted great attention and called forth many complimentary remarks. The whole exhibit was a credit to pupils and teachers, and showed the practical and thorough instruction being given in the Indian schools. There was also on exhibition a fine collection of native work, con-aisting of baskets, blankets, rugs, and bead work, done by the old Indians. which attmted marked attention. IKPROVEMENTB TO SOAOOL PLANTS. The appropriation last year for construction, purchase, lease, and repair of school buildings, and for sewerage, water supply, and light-ing plants, and purchase of school sites, was $240,000. While this is apparently a large sum, when consideidin the light of the magnitude of the work it is inadequate to the needs of the service. The valuation of the plants devoted to Indian education is over %4,000,000, and the necessary work of repairing these buildings is great, thus not leaving a su5cient amount for the construction of new plants at points where they are required. Plans for Indian schools require special adaptation to their require-ments. Conditions wry in the sections where they are located, and therefore each must be designed with relation to the varying climatio needs. Water is the most difficult problem confronting this office, but is absolutely essential. Schools are, as a rule, located in the arid regions of the West, long diitancesfrom the centers of supply, making transportation expenses greater than in the East and more settled por-tions of the country. The construction of an Indian school means the building of a home for the children, a schoolhouse for their literary development, shops for their industrial training, farms and gardens for stock and vegetables. Thus in comparing the relative cost of these plants with public school buildings, the comparison is unfair, for the reason that the standard is not the same. It is believed, however, from the records that Indian soh001 buildings are constructed in a good, workmanlike manner, and are economical in cost. The distribution of the funds available for these purposes has been a serious as well as di5cult problem, as the demands have been great and the funds small. Conditions are investigated and expenditures are made where there seem to be the most pressing needs; hence, 8593-01-3 |