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Show COMMISSIOKER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 37 69,000 acres can be supplied frsm the systems now constructed. The larger project diverts water from the Big Horn River and will supply slightly over 33,000 acres. On this river, above the Indian heading, will be found quite a valuable power site capable of a maxi-mum development of over 90,000 horsepower. The site is isolated, however, as far as railroad. facilities are concerned, being some 68 miles from the nearest available station. Construction at this time with the present prices of labor and material, renders the project somewhat dubious. To assure a maximum development would necessitate a dam 430 feet high and the quantity of material required would be enormous. Logically, therefore, the construction of a railroad to the site of the proposed dam would be a preliminary step to undertaking the project itself. It has been estimated that' the cost of the project, including the railroad, would exceed $20,000,000. The irrigable area on the Wind River Reservation under our ex-isting systems approximates 80,777 acres, of which 70,594 acres fall within the diminished reservation and 10,183 acres on "the ceded lands." Something over $800,000 has been expended in irriga-tion works on this reservation. During the past year the value of the crops grown amounted to $264,700, of. which the Indians raised $148,270 and the whites $118,430. Strenuous efforts are being made, with every reasonable prospect of success, to greatly increase the area of irrigable land for the Pima Indians on the Gila River Indian Reservation by the installation of pumps to develop underground water. Electric power from the Roosevelt Dam is available, at s. low rate, for pumping purposea, and it is expected that about 50,000 acres of additional land will be thus irrigated. This will be of great benefit to the Pima Indians who are deserving, and who have been greatly handicapped in the past on account of their uncertain water supply. A recent personal inspection of the reservations in the southwest has impressed me with the unusual opportunities for development there, especially in the raising of long-staple cotton, for which there is such an urgent demand and for the growing of which these reser-vations are peculiarly adapted where water for irrigation purposes ran be made available. REIMBURSABLE FUNDS. The Indians residing on approximately 85 reservations have participated in the useof reimbursable fnnds available for the pur-chase of live stock, agricultural equipment and supplies, and for the encouragement of industry and self-support among Indians. It has opened a way to them to obtain t'he means for active participation in various industrial pursuits. Under the plan in operation, the money is not giren to the Indians for expenditure by them; rather, it is expended |