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Show 26 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAI~B the complete administration of the estates of these Indians. Bearings were held by committees of Congress, and it waB determined that a 'oint congressional committee would make an inyestigation in Okla-ioma to ascertain first hand the facts before considering the proposed legislation. . QUAPAW LEAD AND ZINC MINING LANDS Under the provisions of section 26 of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1921, and departmental regulations thereunder, there were approved last year 11 leases for lead and zinc minin purposes coverin in the aggregate approximately 1,900 acres. #he leasing of 41 afditional tracts embracing approximately 4,600 acres is under consideration. The leases approved provide higher royalty rates for the Indian owners of the land. Th~ough arrangement with the Bureau of Mines one of its representatives was detailed to Miami, Okla., to make investigations and examinations in relaqion to the land covered by lease applications, and the technical data and other information furnished in his reports relating to the mineral develop-ment, mining operations and mining improvements on the land aided the Indian Office in determining the terms and conditions upon which the leases should be made and the requirements for the proper minin~ development. The leases awarded were upon such terms and condi-tions as it is believed will fully protect the interests of the Indian owners of the restricted land. PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES Under contracts for the year, made in the spring of 1923, some. of our supplies were purchased at better prices than formerly, but for the most part the service continues to suffer from causes incident to the World War. However,. there is a noticeable revival of inter-. est among bidders this year, with some prospect of better conditiqns.. There has been close adherence to the fixed pollcy of purchasiug only standard grades of goods and supplies. These have bean sub-. jected to rigid inspection,both before awards and after actual de-livery under contract, with the result that the suppljes so pur-. chased have almost without exception beep entirely satisfactory. The coal situation, both anthracite and bituminous, has been satis-~ factory for the year. All fuel requirements were met promptly,. either before the,season arrived to require coal or very,soon there-after. The quallt of the coal as determined by scientific anal sis has been kept at xigh'grade. So far as possible and practica%le,' cost of transportation considered, kurplus property obtained from other departments of the Government has been utilized in lieu of' new materials. , . HElRSHlP',MATTERS . . . .. ~ u r i uth~e ' f iscal year 2,%9541eirshi cases and ,207 wills +ere disposed .of, and the fees collected an3 c-o vered into the Treasury amounted to $71,000. The heirship limping6 in the field. are con-ducted by a corps of examiners especially equipped by legal train? ing and experience, whose salanes and, expenses are paid from a reimbursable appropriation. |