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Show COMMISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 71 since been changed. These files should be modernized at once while the task is possible through the knowledge of the few clerks who are tamiliar with them. The files since 1907 are card indexed and flat filed by subjects under the decimal system and are so arranged that all correspondence in any case may be *viewed with convenience and dispatch. However, the work is not now done entirely satisfactorily, and can not be with the present inadequate force. In the last 10 years this work has in-creased 170 per cent, while the force has increased but 72 per cent. INSPECTION. One hundred and thirty-nine general inspections have been made during the fiscal year, of 127 out of a total of 152 superintendencias, by a working force of 11 supervising officials. The scope of tbese inspections has been large, embracing, besides a broad general view of conditions, which is their prime purpose, a wide variety of sub-jects vitally connected with the welfare of the Indians. A considerable number of special investigations have been made during the year, embracing matters of charges and complaints against superintendents and other employees, alleged frauds perpetrated on Indians, cases of alleged starvation and distress, and other matters of like import. For these duties a force of only four special agents mas available at the beginning of the fiscal year, whose aggregate period of service, had they been continually engaged on this class of work throughout the year, would have amounted to approximately 1,200 days. But even with this small force it has been found necessav to place these agents in temporary charge of schools or agencies, ce on other assignments outside of their usual duties, for periods aggregating 365 days, or about one-fourth of their time. The need for relief in this direction is apparent. Only by the aid of depart-mental inspectors has it been possible to keep this branch of the In-dian inspection service from failure to fulfill its purposes. In all, 318 reports have been submitted by supervising and in- >@tigating officials during the year. Many reports on general and special matters made by superintendents are not included in this calculation. All the 152 superintendencies (or jurisdictions) have been visited at least once during the year by a representative of the office, with the exception of 11, five of these being day schools of the second dis-trict (California, Nevada, and Arizona), which could not be reached by the supervisor in that district, one-third of whose time was taken by special assignments. This does not mean that the needs of the Indians of tbese jurisdictions have not been taken care of, for where it has been impossible for a personal visit to be made the office has. |
