OCR Text |
Show 42 COMMISSIONEB INDIAN AFTAIRS. instructions issued to the superintendents requiring that it should be attached to all printed leases covering Indian lands. It was found that the Indians were purchasing lemon and vanilla extracts and Jamaica ginger in lieu of whisky. In some localities these liquids have been the principal source of the Indians' supply of intoxicants. Several cases are now pending in the Federal court an the charge of selling these extracts to Indians. Along the same line we have found that the Indian has been tempted through advertisements to purchase "concentrated extracts" whereby they can make their own liquors, and prompt action was taken to procure an indictment, which is now pending. Not only have the Indians been tempted by liquor and extracts, but it has been brought to our attention that he has sometimes been furnished with cocaine, yenshee, and opium, and that in certain sections of the country he purchases proprietary medicines which are said to con-tain a large per cent of alcohol. Our efforts to suppress the use of peyote or mescal among the In-dians have been carried on under difficulties, but we universally en-deavor to show the Indian that this article contains properties which are detrimental to his welfare and should not be used. There are a few localities in which we have no trouble on account of the Indians procuring liquor, but generally speaking we have the greatest difficulty in satisfactorily handling this situation. It is very grati*ng that we have been successful in convicting some of the most prominent bootleggers who have engaged in the liquor business on a large scale. To successfully cope with the shrewdness, trickery, and persist-ence of the bootlegger requires character, judgment, tact, and ability, and I have accordingly in every way endeavored to raise the standard and efficiency of our liquor suppression officers, including the in-creasing of the salaries of those regularly employed in this wdrk. Furthermore, all new men are now employed temporarily, that they may first demonstrate their fitness for this difficult and important work, which practice is proving very satisfactory. The use of decoys has developed the usual comment, but consider-ing all the conditions, the decoy judiciously used seems fully justified. On December 31 I attended a conference of the special officers held at Denver. I t was the first time in the bistory of the liquor service that a Commissioner of Indian Affairs had attended such a gather-ing. The opportunity of meeting with the men engaged in this work and of earnestly presenting my views has well repaid me for the time and effort involved. The officers have since entered into their labors with renewed energy, and taking into consideration the various ramifications and legal questions involved are securing splendid results. |