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Show REPORT OF THE SECBETILBY OF THE IIPTERIOR 7 of Education of this department has been directed to cooperate with the Indian Service in an effort to improve the educational system of the Indians. This is expected to result in a progrm conforming to modern methods among whitea and yet providing a practical plan suitable to the Indians. It seems clear that the traditional school system of the wbites is not immediately applicable in its entirety to the needs of Indian children. It is hoped that closer cooperation may be established between States having Indian populations and the Federal Government in ded-ing with questions of education, health, and law enforcement. Prob-ably States should ultimately assume complete responsibility for the Indians within their borders, but pending that time there is much to be done by the Federal service. The deps'stment has recognized that general conditions, as outlined, are of long standing, that they can not be remedied in a brief period, and that unwieldy appropriations, if made, could not be wisely ex-pended in a single year; and so it is recommended that there be regular and reasonable annual increases, which will enable the department to madjust its personnel and activities. MIDDLE RIO CRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT The Secretaq of the Interior was authorized by Congress on March 13, 1928, to execute an agreement with the Middle Rio ~rande'conservancy district in New Mexico on behalf of the Pueblo Indians. The district, which is composed of white settlers in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, waa formed under State law to provide irrigation, drainage, and flood control for approximately 132,000 acres of land. Interspersed with the district lands are 23,000 acres belonging to six Indian pueblos. These lands are not subject to the district law, nor to State and county taxation, the Indian being under the guardianship of the United States. However, for a comprehen-sive and economical development of the district, it was considered necessary to include the Indian lands, and Congress authorized the department to make a contract with the district providing for an equitable share in cost of construction. The entire program is estimated to cost 811,829,000. The act con-templates that the Government shall advance the Indians' share in a sum not to exceed $1,593,311, to be repaid by cash from lessees, if and when received from such reclaimed Indian lands. About 8,346 acres of Indian lands included in the proposed development are now somewhat indifferently cultivated by the Indians under irriga-tion works. The water level is rising on this area, and unless drainage shall be provided considerable of the land ultimately will become I water-logged and unfit for cultivation. 237'92-28-2 |
