| OCR Text |
Show 30 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFBAES the proceeds in improving Indian homes, the leasing of the restricted lands for oil and gas and agricultural purposes, and the collection and disbursement of the rentals and royalties. The reports from the field are to the effect that there is a decided improvement manifested on the Indian farms in the way of in- 7 creasing production and raising more and better livestock. Effective cooperation between the field officers of the Indian Serv-ice and county re resentatives in agricultural matte~sw as had dur-ing the year, whic 73 resulted in benefit to the Indian farmers. Under the supervision of the field force there was expended during 1 this fiscal year the sum of $3,774,691.59 of individual Indian money for maintenance, farms, buildings, livestock, and equipment. Dur-ing the year restrictions were unconditionally removed from the lands of 273 Indians and 80,001.36 acres of restricted individual Indian lands were leased for oil and gas mining purposes, the gross oil production for the year being 13,582,856.81 barrels. The total 1 income from oil and gas was as follows: Bonus reeeived for leases --.--.---..-----.---$.24.7,-25.8.- SO- ...---.--.-- Royalty on oil and gas production- -.........------3.,1.1-6,.87-0-.21- .----- Advance royalty and rental- ..-_.._-._..----8.49.,9-70..3.0- -, ------.--.- I Total ................................4.,2.14.,1.0.0..3.1 ..... During the year the cishier for the Five Civilized Tribes has I handled a total of $32,242,673.81, including receipts and disburse-ments of all classes of funds. There was credited to the individual Indian accounts the sum of $7,379,551.06. On June 30,1925, the balance of individual Indian moneys on hand amounted to $13,182,949.08. The very important work of our probate attorneys conducted in that part of Oklahoma formerly the Indian Territory has con-tinued with beneficial results to the restricted Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes and Quapaw Agencr These attorneys have been the means of preventing much waste ul extravagance by their care-ful supervision of probate cases, checking reports of guardians and investigations of abuses complained of. They have carefully guarded the interests, especially of those Indians who, for want of education, lack of business experience; or because of age or other conditions. are unable to wrouerlv protect themselves in matters w - affecting their property. The Indians freely consult these attorneys in matters relating to guardianship administration of estates, transactions of various kmds concerning inherited and restricted property, and in regard to the conservation and use of their restricted lands and funds. In view of the investigation made and information obtained as to the manner in which the estates of Indians were being handled by guardians and administrators under State jurisdiction, an effort was made to obtain 1egislation.with a v i ~ wof restoring to the Secretary of the Interior the exclusive ~urlsdlctlon and control of the funds, lands, and other property of the restricted Indians. The matter is still under consideration with a giew of recommending to Congress legislation for the better protection of the property and interests of the restricted Indians of the Five Civilized Triheq |
