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Show REPORT OF THE COhlVISFIOSER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 7 ings, including physicians, nuises, matrons, cooks, and laundresses, there is still a shortage of civil-service eligibles which is difficult to overcome under the limited compens~tion permitted, particularly where professional skill and ability to give instruction are required. I t is earnestly hoped that under the reclassification of salaries the board having charge of such work will be able to give the erscnnel of this bureau equitable recognition as compared with emp 'I oyees of like qualifications, whether outside or within the Government service. Probably no body of workers rendering the quality of service re-quired of ours can be found whose average salary is so low. The numerical extent of our personnel necessarily includes many who have devoted the best years of their lives to the Indian Service, but who are now physically unable to give the full measure required by the positions they hold. The present retirement law will eventu-ally provide only inadequately for these employees and its amend-ment so as to allow a higher maximum annuity would be most de-serving for the many yean of faithful service rendered. A further amendment providing for a lower maximum retirement age, with privilege of extension in exceptional cases, would enable a decided strengthening of efficiency. particularly as related to teaching and .some other lines of our service where both mental and physical powers are not sufficiently vigorous at the age of 70 to secure the best results. PROGRESS IN IRRIGATION. The reclamation of land by irrigation is very essential to various parts of the Indian country. Son~e6 00,000 acres have been thus re-claimed, and over 700,000 are still susceptible of irrigation. In addi-tion to the operation and maintenance of 50 projects constructed on Indian reservations, the active work last vear included the follow-ing in the Southwest: The preparation of plans and estimates for draining seeped condi-tions and restorin to cultivation 8,890 acres of Pueblo lands in New Mexico; the insta f lation of domestic water supply systems for the Pueblos of Picuris and San Ildefonso; the completion of plans for improving and enlargin the irrigation system on the San Juan Pueblo; ,the further dr5ling of wells on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations, where 120 are now furnishing water; the construction of protective works against floods from Bonito Creek for the Navajo school and agency buildings at Fort Defiance, Ariz.; the completion of a plant, with dam, canals, spillway, etc., for electric power and water for domestic and irrigation purposes at the Fort Apache School and Agency, Ariz. Plans and estimates were prepared and appropriations secured for lining of the main canal on the Salt River project, in Arizona. It is estimated that the water conserved by this work will be sufficient to irrigate an additional thousand acres for the Salt River Indians. An agreement was entered into with the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association for the acquiring of electric energy for pumping purposes to provide additional water for these Indians. Construction of a dam with bridge superstructure across the Gila River within the Gila River Reservation, Ariz., was commenced and will be completed at the earliest practicable date. This dam is to be |