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Show 64 REPORT OP THE COXMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. The San Juan River, in the northern part of the reserve, according to the reports of Special Agent Armstrong and of George Butler, superintendent of irrigation, contains abundant water for irrigation purposes and there are valuable lands adjacent which are susceptible of irrigation. It bas been asserted that with a proper system of irri-gation on the Navaho Reservation adjacent to the San Juan River two-thirds of the families of Indians occupying that reservation could make homes and become self-supporting. The oftice has planned to cause to be surveyed and staked off at an early date three or four small ditches leading from the Sau Juan River through productive lands and to have the same constructed as rapidly as possible. When these proposed ditches shall have been constructed, and the Indians located, the office will construct other ditches in places most suitable in case the Indians show a disposition to properly utilize those put under their control. The development of an irrigation system on thereservation lands adja-cent to the San Juan River will go far toward solving the intricate Navaho problem. Blackfeet Reservation, Mont.-In reply to the request of one Joseph Oker for information relating to a &ht of way for an irrigating ditch on the Blackfeet Reservation, Mont., the Office informed him, May 7, 1902, as to the act of February 15,1901 (31 Shts., 790), and the regu-lations thereunder, and stated tht if an application for irrigation right of way is referred to this Office, the matter will be referred for recom-mendation to the officer in charge of the reservation through which such right of way is sought to be acquired. May 26, 1902, Mesurs. Joseph Sturgeon and Peter H. Edlefson, Dupuyer, Mont., submitted informal application for permission to construct an irrigation ditch through the Blackfeet Reservation, taking the water from the CutBank Creek on that reservation. The agent for the Blackfeet Agency recommended that, inasmuch as the water of Cut Bank Creek will be needed to irrigate Indian lands, per-mission should not be granted parties to enter the reservation for the purpose of diverting its waters to lands outside. The parties men-tioned were therefore informed, July 8, that an application under the act of February 15,. 1901, for authority to construct an irrigating ditch on the Blackfeet Reservation would not receive the favorable recommendation of this office. SALE OF INDIAN LANDS. Inherited lands.-Section 7 of the Indian appropriation act of May 27, 1902, provides: That the adult heirs of any deceased Indian to whono R. truat or other patent containing restrictions upon alienation has been or ahall be issued for lands allotted to him may sell and convey the lands inherited from such decedent, but in case of |
