OCR Text |
Show 2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS in the office time and resources for study of the major field problems an$ of important data and for formulation of constructive measures now forced aside by pressure of current routine work. PERSONNEL During the year the efforts of the bureau have been diiectedtoward the strengthening of the rsonnel of the field service. The require-ments for qualification r r civil-service examinations for teaching positions have been made more di5cult and the educational standards for t,he po!ition of pr@cipal have been r+sed. Now the possession of a degree is a prerequisite for exammation and appointment to this position for persons not already in the service. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 325, Indians'have been given a classitled civil-service status, effective April 1, 1929, but after that date Indians entering the service, except in certain minor positions, me required to ualify in open competitive examiqation. Certain preferences are a% o wed, however, m compliance wrth existing law re uiring that Indians s h d be em loyed whenever practicable. Increased salaries allowed in conP o rmanee with existing reclassifica-tion laws have proven of noticeable benefit to the service in giving a ' more contented and e5cieut personnel. ' HEALTH There has been progress in the generd medical work of the service : during the year. The Indian people are increasingly responding to their.medical needs; that is to say, an increasing number of Indians are seeking appropriate .relief for medical and surgical conditions. Likewise, progress is being made in matters relating to disease pre-vention and public health. This is becoming manifest in connection with the activities of health workers, as well as of lay personnel withiq . Indian reservations. Greater interest is being developed in Federal, State, county, and municipal health organizations, as well as by voluntary agencies. Closer cooperative health activities are being developed in many States having large Indian populations. In many instances members of the health personnel of the Indiau Service are working in conjunction with or under the direction of similar orgau-ized health agencies of these State4 and counties. In this general health work the .hdians themselves are believed to be showing a responsive interest. The Association of State and Provincial Health Authorities of North America has appointed a committee on Indian health and through this committee information regarding Indian health matters is being disseminated to State and local health agencies where Indians reside. Diagnostic, laboratory, and clinic facilities of these various organizations are being made known and available to health agencies of the Indiau Service, all of which is conducive to a more complete and thorough health program in all sections of the Indian country. Trachoma, tuberculosis, and diseases of infancy and childhood continue to constitute the outstanding health problems affecting the several Indian jurisdictions. While increased facilities have been provided for the care of tuberculosis and for incipient cases in Indian children, material progress in the eradication of this disease will not |