OCR Text |
Show 2-% REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN DFAIRB approached would be stricken from the tribal rolls. The Indians so assessed have been advised against contributing money for such purposes, and through information received from the Attorney Gen-eral of New York, that the State would not recognize any such claims as valid and has offered no sum of money in settlement. There is now pending in the United States Su reme Court the case of United States of America ex rel. Walter 8. Kennedy and Syl-vester J. Pierce v. William F. Waldo et al., No. 509. This case was the result of action taken by the New York tribal Indian authorities to dispossess certain Indian heirs of certain reservation lands, which action was held illegal by decision of the State court, and the matter was then appealed to the United States Supreme Court. It is be-lieved that the decision when rendered will settle the question of the jurisdiction of the so-called Indians' Peacemakers' Court and of the State courts, as well as the larger question of State and Federal jurisdiction over these Indians and their internal affairs. PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES Under contracts for the year entered into in the spring of 1924, and later for subs uent purchases, prices generally remained firm, some staple comm3ities weakening in the last few months of the year, others maintaining a higher level. Interest in our require-ments continued unabated and competition was keen. Supplies of standard quality were purchased and careful inspection by wm-petent employees and others was made before ,deliveries were ac-cepted, with the result that with but few exceptions favorable com-ment from field officers has been received. Of especial importance is the fact that all units of the service were kept amply supplied with fuel. Surplus supplies of other governmental branches have been utilized when obtainable on an economical basis. The need is urgent for a simplification of the statutqry requirements regarding the pro-curement, execution, and disposition of supply contracts. Under ex-isting law concerning this matter long delays in the procurement of all essential supplies for the field units are unavoidable and obvi-ously detrimental to sound economic business administration. HEIRSHIP AND PROBATE Under the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of the act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. L. 855, 856), as amended by the act of February 14, 1913 (37 Stat. L. 678) the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to determine the heirs 02 deceased Indians and to consider their wills, and either approve,or disapprove the same as justified. This work has progressed sati~factorily. At the present time there are 12 examiners of inheritance employed in the field, with necessary clerical assistants, whose duty it is to prepare the,cases for depart-mental action, in accordance with formal regulations approved by the department June 19,1923. Durin the fiscal year ended June 30, 1925, 1,695 heirship cases were sett f ed and 206 wills disposed of, and final disposition was made of 2,250 miscellaneous probate cases for the Indians. Fees in the amount of $61,994.60 for determination of heirship cases were earned, |