OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFILIRS. 13 petuation of the native industries, now gradually disa pearing. The exhibits attracted wide attention, and large sales o ? the dif-ferent articles were made. In addition the Indians continued their exhibits at the local county fairs with good results, winning many prizes in competition with the white farmers. HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. A very liberal policy has been adopted in connection with the opening of Pu blic hi7 h ways through Indian lands, and there has been the ful est possib e cooperation with the local and State author-ities. There were approved last year more than 50 applications for permission to open public roads covering approximately 129 miles of highway. Damages therefor were assessed in behalf of the Indians, amounting to about $12,000. Special appropriations were available for road work on five reservations in the total sum of $53,000. , The Federal aid road act of November 9, 1921, as interpr?ted by the Comptroller General, permits the payment of the entire cost of ublic highways across Indian reservations from Government fun 5 s appropriated to the State in which the reservation is located. This has given a great impetus to road work on the Indian reser-vations, and such projects have been approved for about 25 res-ervations. INTEREST ON INDIAN MONEYS AND PAYMENT OF TRIBAL FUNDS. During the year there was deposited in banks approximately $38,- 000,000 of individual Indian moneys upon which the, interest earnings were over $1,425,000. About 1,100 banks are kept bonded to protect deposits of Indian funds. This i1 acing at interest the surplus moneys of the Indians, not imme lately needed for their benefit, teaches them. the princip- les of thrift and economy and the earnin-g power of money. - Under recent laws the rolls of the various tribes except the Osa es, Chippewa of Minnesota, Menominee, and the Five Civilized Trii ?es, are being closed. During the past year the rolls have been so closed and moneys paid out at the following agencies: Rosebud, S. Dak:; Fort Belknap, Mont.; Otoe and Missouria and Pawnee, Okla. This prorating of tribal trust funds leads the Indian to assume individual responsibility. INDIAN CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT. On April 23, 1923, the Court of Claims held there was nothing due the Indians in the suit of the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux w. United States. May 7, 1923, the Sioux Nation filed suit in the court for an ad-judication of their claims, including that to the Black Hills. The Indians of the Klamath Agency, Oreg., Fort Berthold, Mont., and Yankton, S. Dak., and the northern and southern branches of the Cheyennes and similar branches of the Arapahos are preparing to enter suit to have their claims adjudicated. |