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Show . . . , , . , , 24 k&0R'P &*. TH* &~MM~SS~ONOEF$ I NDlAhi A%FA~RG thisunhethod of $&~eht by eonvetting these ptituities inte. &in-btirsable'expen& tUreA!:, Thls law is applicablelto Tndian irrigation projects except in a few cases. where specifiblaw applies. . ~ . , ' By the act of' February 14,1920 (41 Stat L.408)? theseeretag of the Interior was directed to begin collection of irrigation charges uiider authority -provided for. in the act of August 1, 1914, and in pursuance thereto reg+atiOns'were promulgated for the levying of Assessments of irrigatioif charges,on a per acre basis. In most in-stances the Indians are not finanelally able to pay the charges, with the result that the amount collected has been comparatively small. On tlie larger prdjects, the principal ones of which are those on the Yakima and Colville Reservations in Washin n the Klamltth Reservition in Oregon, .the' Blakkfe&t, Fort Pecr~llathead Fort Belkhap, and Crow Reservations inl1ontana;tlie Fort Hall keser-vation in Idaho, the Southern Ute Reservation in Colorado, the Pima Reservation in,Arizona, !.he Wind River Reservation in Wyo-ming, and the Uintah Reservation in Ut&h, white interests have pur-chased thmugh Government sale allotments of deceased Indians .and are now cultivating 'their holdingb under the respective 'pro'ects.' AS$essments are made against the ylte interests on a per acre \asis and every effort is made for collect?on of the amounts owing. These interests also'have suffered financ1,al losses and in many instances have not been able to pay the charges when due. Advantage was acc.ord'ingly taken by,many .of them of the relief legslation of May 9; 1924,.'authorizing the grrtnt~ng of extendon of tlme in which to pay irnetion assessineats. Thecollections on these projects June 30, 1924,on bcKalf of 'operation and ma3hnance charges total $1,787,718.57, with an additional collection on behalf of construction of $369,758.51, with other .miscellaneous collections, bringing the' grand tota1.W -$2,264;859.15: ' The beginning of $he irrigation season during the calendar year of 1925 indicates ,that better financial conditions exist amon the white water users;a,#praotically no requests have been forwargd to tlie &ce.asking for additional.time in.which to aythe obligations tb.thq Governmen$, and'it has also beanoted tK a t fewwmplain.& relstive to'th&'bihWigement of the proj&t$ have bee% filed; these conditions are indeed ghtifping. Nuth &nfusion exists'due to lack df Uniformity .Uf laws .aljplying to Indians' irrigation projects; This isparticdiirly true with reference. to collections. On 11 of tlie proj$c~.~npaid:~kKa~as 'l'iaen& 't igainst the land, %hich pro-tect~% th e T*ovetnibeht's interests. I n order f~ afford proper protec-tion,' it.! is ddSi&ble that a lien be created against lands under .all Iridian prrijecth foliiss"re repayment of ,the expenditures. . , , . , I ' I j . . , . . . . , , , . , ,: ..., . :, , . ; # ~.E b. - ., ' ,? i~;"',. ,.LAW AND ,O,RDm : ., t I . ' ) ' , ' < . , . . . , ,. . . O.&DIIYTT, O ~ E N B E B . &IWD :~~&~SS. I I~w&it&hiInL rS,& rvatidns lvre p.uriiAab1'e in' %he .Federakt courts for the:seven malor .crimes; epe- 7. c~fical$$m entiefled h~eot ion8 2&d &he Uliited Stabs Criminril Code dl ia0.-- :For many ;other., offenses. made!p unisheble m :general: ,by State law#,~In~a;alIms ja~,a:ruleejx emp t f.rom. Jun.is lument by reason cif! the. p t h i s i o n s sectlonss 2145 an 2146 nited Strikes XeVised SKiatAh; :.Exisbing.hgul&onsIISmoers.; ns cod enforcing same are |