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Show f . 20 OOMMISSIONEE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. be personally acquainted with the Indians with whom they are asso-eatad, and that they have a thorough knowledge of their home life and needs. The be& results can be obtained only through long-con-tinued service at one place. While it is not practicable to elimiiate transfers entirely, the number has been reduced to a mere fraction of what it has been in the past. A careful study of each employee is made with a view to deterrnin-ing 'the line of work for which he is best qualifi&d. Sometimes an - employee enters the service through competitive examination, but is not qualified for the work covered by the examination. Having d c i e n t technical training to pass the examination, frequently he is not fitted by temperament or other cause for the duties of the position obtained, but his training and experience does enable hi to render valuable service in some other line of work. The special effort that has been made to assign employees to positions for which they are best fitted, and the elimination of those who have made a failure after a full and fair trial, have, during the last two years, resulted in a material increase in the efficiency of the personnel. Particular attention has been given to a readjustment of positions and salaries and at the same time reduce the total amount allowed for salaries to the lowest possible minimum without a sacrifice of e5ciency. While positions have been dropped here and there, aggre-gating approximately $85,000 during the last fiscal year, the most notable reduction has been in connection with the administration of the affairs of the Five Civilized Tribes, where, in accordance with the provisions of the Indian appropriation act approved August 1, 1914, abolishing the office8 of the commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes and superintendent for the Union Agency, and creating the 05ce of superintendent for the Five Civilized Tribes, a thorough reorganization has been effected. Notwithstanding a material reduc-tion in the force, all of the field office8 have been maintained and the work handled with e5ciency and at a saving of approximately ' $75,000 a year, altogether about $160,000. An important circular was issued to the Indian Service employees early in the year directing their attention to the fact that their example is a potent factor in the uplift of this race. It was insisted that their intercourse with those among whom they are placed as educators and adminiitratom should be of an elevating and helpful character. They were admonished to teach the Indian self-respect and imbue him with the feeling that his race is no bar to his advance-ment socially or otherwise if he messnree up to the standard we placed before him. All epithets, relics of the days when there was less of charity and consideration in the white man's dealings with the Indians, must not be applied to them, and those words which are offensive, as 'L buck,)) ('squaw," " redskin," etc., should no more |
