OCR Text |
Show « w \ e «09 Commissioner Indian Affairs, No. 2, 1293-1909. land cultivated by them. Throughout the year a considerable amount of work la performed under the Agency in the repairing and improvement of roads, bridges, ditches, etc., and at suoh time as such worX ia available the Indians seem ready and willing to perform labcr asked of them. It is also believed that the Indiana would work, at many other occupations were the opportunity offered, but to obtain definite and satisfactory results work must first be obtainable.and/ after it is provided/it is necessary to practically have a super- visor of the Indian labor directly in charge of such labor at all times. The reason for thi3 neoessicv Is because of the lack of understanding on the part of the Indians of the methods and conditions under whioh they are placed when at work. Many times, owing to misunderstandings they cease working and fail to commence working again, when if a good tactful man were actually in charge of them It is believed they would do satisfactory work continuously. At the present time there is such an employee provided under the direction of Supervisor Dagenett, and^hile at this writing^the efforts of this employee have been running too short a time to definitely state anything in regard to the success of the arrangement, it is my opinion that such an arrangement win bear fruit. I am certain that the arrangement would be successful if there were more labor to De had locally* As to inducing the Indians to work wor, their f-T~,q +>,~ |