northern Wisconsin and in Michigan. The Carson jurisidction in Nevada has jurisdiction over a number of small bands in that State. The Sacramento jurisdiction in California administers the affairs of a number of tribes in the northern part of the State, while the Mission Agency gives supervision to 30 or more Mission groups in the southern part of California. At the Shoshone Agency in Wyoming, the Winnebago Agency in Nebraska, Cheyenne River, Rosebud, and Standing Rock Reservations in the Sioux area, and at many other points there is a very urgent need to have an individual who may assist the superintendent in the promotion of Indian Service activities and the development and maintenance of proper relations with Indian councils. Some assistance has been given by field representatives and others traveling over the country and assisting in organizing Indian tribes. This help, however, has been spread so thin that little permanent benefits are obtainable, now that organization has been accomplished. Five Civilized Tribes, $62,220.-We have discussed in connection with the agricultural extension appropriation and the item for health activities, the situation with reference to the Five Civilized Tribes. We do not believe it is necessary to repeat here the need for liberal expansion of Indian Service activities for this group of people. It is pertinent to observe, however, that field employees serving the 40 counties in eastern Oklahoma comprising the Five Civilized Tribes total only 71. If this number 33 are clerks, interpreters, and appraisers; 15 are extension employees such as farm aids at $1,080 per year, and farm agents; 10 are school employees, principally education field agents; 10 are stationed in the boarding schools receiving specific appropriations; and 3 devote their time to health activities. The foregoing work does not include the group of employees on duty in the headquarters office at Muskogee. It is utterly impossible to render any sort of service to an Indian population of more than 72,000 with a staff so small and charged with such a variety of duties.

The Five Tribes area has been divided into 12 districts. For a quick picture of the situation there follows a tabulation showing these districts with the number of counties and the population of the districts:

Counties

Nowata, Craig, Ottowa, Delaware, Mayes. (Thickly populated in last 2 counties.)

Washington, Rogers, Tulsa, Creek. (Population widely scat-
tered.)

Okmulgee, Okfuskee. (Both counties well populated.)
Wagoner, Muskogee, McIntosh, Haskell. (Last 2 counties
thickly populated.)

Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah. (All heavily populated.)

Le Flore, Latimer, Pittsburg. (Population widely scattered.)
Hughes, Pontotoc. (North half Hughes County heavily popu
lated; balance scattered.)

McClain, Garvin, Murray, Carter, Love, and parts of Grady,
Stephens, and Jefferson. (Population extremely scattered.)
Cole, Atoka, Johnston, Marshall, Bryan. (Population centered
in spots principally.)

McCurtain. (Population heavy north and south portions.
Mountain range through center.)

Pushmataha, Choctaw. (Population generally scattered with a
few compact centers.)

Seminole. (Small county with population well distributed.)

It will be noted from the population given above that in many of these districts there are more Indians than are found on many reservations to which are assigned employees reasonably sufficient to promote the various activities of the Service. For example, the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico has a population of 729. The Jicarilla Reservation in the same State has a population of only 687. The Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota has a total of 1,595 Indians, the Klamath Agency in Oregon 1,370, and the Fort Belknap Agency in Montana 1,400. Drawing a closer comparison it will be noted that some of these districts have a population larger than the populations of reservations on the western side of the State of Oklahoma. For example, district 1 has a population of 11,847 and the total population under the Kiowa jurisdiction is 6,061. This number is exceeded by 5 of the 12 districts in the Five Civilized Tribes. The Shawnee jurisdiction, the next largest, has a population of 4,570.

We repeat, the statement previously made that too frequently the general belief has been that the Indians of the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole Nations had reached such a state of civilization that further Federal

aid was unnecessary except to protect the interests of a few members of these tribes who have been fortunate enough to acquire considerable wealth. Investigations conducted prior to 1926 resulted in a wholesale withdrawal in that year of services previously provided for these Indians. The Indians, seeing the meager assistance previously provided withdrawn, retired in a spirit of despair, to their allotments covered with rock and brush, and attempted to eke out a living through the cultivation of exceedingly small and unproductive tracts. These individuals continued to live under the poorest of conditions for about 8 years without any Federal employee taking any interest in their welfare. Their meager subsistence was supplemented through what little income they could earn by day labor and, in some instances, through the sale at low prices of cord wood and railroad ties. When the severe drought of several years ago struck Arkansas and Oklahoma these unfortunate people were compelled to seek aid from any possible source. They emerged from their seclusion to obtain the necessities of life. The Indian Service, brought face to face with the seriousness of the situation, sent workers into the field in an effort to locate the homes of all Indian families. As s result of their efforts a spot map was prepared showing the location of Indian homes. The figures given in the foregoing tabulation are not guesses but are presented as facts gathered during the survey in question. For the first time in many years food, clothing, and other supplies were furnished to these destitute human beings. The situation was so deplorable that criticism was heaped upon the Federal Government for its neglect to the members of these tribes. On the other hand, it was commended for gathering accurate data concerning actual conditions.

In an effort to provide further aid for these Indians we have attempted to establish emergency-conservation and other work-relief projects. Unfortunately large areas are checkerboarded. It has been difficult to classify the land as we do reservations in the western part of Oklahoma and in other States. We have attempted also to give some guidance in the development of agricultural pursuits but our funds have been limited. Our efforts, however, have been most successful and the Indians have been more than willing to respond to any suggestions having as their ultimate aim more satisfactory living conditions.

Studies have continued over the last 2 or 3 years and we are presenting in this budget a request for what we consider the minimum of financial aid to begin a service to which the Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes are entitled. Further aid will be needed next year. There follows a statement showing the employees provided from this appropriation for the present year, those included for the next fiscal year, and the amount of increase involved:

1

The field supervisor will have headquarters in the Muskogee office and will give general supervision to administrative activities of the 12 districts. He will travel extensively and will endeavor to coordinate all activities so that the greatest amount of good may be accomplished.

The district agents will be the administrative heads in given territories and will be responsible for carrying forward unified programs for the advancement of the Indians in their respective territories.

The other employees represent needed clerical help and other help if efficient work is to be performed.

While all of our efforts on behalf of these Indians will be directed toward the development of self-support there are many members of these tribes who are unable, by reason of age, blindness, or other physical infirmity, even to cultivate a small garden. It will be necessary, therefore, to provide subsistence, clothing, fuel, and other items necessary to sustain life. We are requesting $25,000 for relief purposes. This amount will not permit any extravagant expenditures. If 1,000 of the more than 72,000 Indians in the Five Tribes share in the relief fund it would be equivalent to only $2.08 per month per individual, an amount wholly insufficient to permit the establishment of any decent standard of living.

Relief, $125,000.-Regardless of climatic, drought, or other conditions, it is imperative that additional funds be provided for relief to Indians who are unable to work. Relief to indigent Indians consists of the issue of food, clothing, medical, and other supplies, and burial expenses. During the present year approximately $250,000 of our regular appropriation is all that is available for this purpose. This amount will not meet the needs. The fact that the Indian Service has received grants from emergency funds is no argument for curtailment of relief. Emergency funds have been for work relief and have afforded employment to able-bodied Indians, thus providing a minimum family income to meet the barest living needs. Wages on emergency conservation and road work are approximately $52 a month, provided the worker is employed 22 days a month, and taking into account the commutation for subsistence and quarters, especially in connection with emergency conservation work. On construction projects wages for common labor are about the same, but semiskilled and skilled workmen are paid in accordance with their ability. Indians receive wages on construction projects ranging from 30 cents to $1.10 per hour. Much of this work is intermittent, work opportunities being given to as many individuals as possible through rotation of employment.

On many reservations, earnings of individuals have been conserved so that funds are available for winter living expenses and the purchase of seed and other needs for spring planting. Employable Indians have been reasonably well provided for through prosecution of emergency work, and their earnings have contributed to the comfort and well-being of thousands of dependents. But on every reservation there are many Indians incapacitated by blindness, disease, or age, for whom the Government must provide subsistence, fuel, and clothing. The number of these unfortunates has grown year by year, and the difficulties have been added to by adverse crop conditions which have wiped out the little subsistence produced in small home gardens. It is estimated that there are 15,000 persons of Indian blood 65 years of age or over. Many of this number are far too old to do any work; they are either completely landless or derive a mere pittance annually from leasing somewhat worthless land; they are in continuous want, many of them subsisting on the wholly insufficient rations furnished by the Indian Service out if its meager annual relief fund. There are some who barely live through the generosity of their poverty-stricken friends or relatives. County or State aid is almost universally denied because the Indian is a nontaxpaying resident of the State, and the States insist that the obligation for care and relief of the Indian indigent rests upon the Federal Government. Hundreds of these individuals are forced to end their days in a state of chronic hunger. Some relief may be provided as a result of the Social Security Act, but there are many who definitely will not come within its provisions.

During recent years the Indian Service has been the begger of the Government, searching far and wide for surplus food and clothing which might be obtained for Indian relief needs. We have obtained much from the War and other departments of the Federal Government-supplies condemned by other agencies for various reasons, but used to afford relief to the Indian citizens of the country. Funds were provided for slaughtering worthless sheep and goats on the Navajo Reservation. This meat was processed and distributed to Indian tribes-largely among the Plains Indians, who have no particular taste for meat other than beef. We begged for and obtained hundreds of drought-relief cattle which were assigned to numerous Indian groups. Many of these animals were little more than skin and bones, but the meat provided served temporarily to appease the hunger of numerous individuals. We have doggedly pursued every avenue which might lead to better relief for the Indian citizens.

There is another factor of real importance in considering our relief needs. For many years funds of Indian tribes were distriuted per capita during the winter months, thus insuring some degree of comfort to the old and indigent. But these

tribal assets are now exhausted, and further revenues are not anticipated. The Kiowa Indians in Oklahoma, for example, received payments running as high as $300 a year; the Klamaths in Oregon, as much as $700 a year; and other tribes in proportion to their Treasury balance, annual income, and actual need.

Meeting distress among unemployable Indians with any degree of satisfaction rests upon the liberality of Congress. The amount requested in this estimate will not permit maintenance of even minimum standards of comfort and decency. For meeting fully our requirements, approximately $1,000,000 annually is needed. Against this, we have approximately $250,000 and are requesting $125,000 more for 1938. We are not overlooking any sources from which our relief needs may be met. We cannot, however, afford to start the year without having in sight some definite sum which may be set aside to meet the urgent appeals coming to us from all over the Indian country.

Additional mechanical help, $19,000.-During the last 3 years we have installed modern heating plants and electric generating units at many of our field stations. Heretofore electric energy, if provided at all, has been furnished by means of small and short-lived battery units operated by gas-driven motors or by some kind of a makeshift generating unit. We have installed Diesel plants at Cheyenne River, Fort Berthold, Rosebud, Crow Creek, Western Shoshone, Sells, Zuni, and other jurisdictions in the Service. These expensive pieces of equipment cannot be placed in the hands of inexperienced operators. A new plant installed at one agency was out of commission in less than 30 days because the operator on duty was not capable of handling the generating unit. At another station the unit has been installed, tested, and is ready for use but is standing idle because no funds are available to employ an operator. At the Central Navajo agency we have installed a central heating plant which furnished heat to 47 dwellings, the adminis tration building, council house, single employee's quarters, and other buildings in this small village. A large Diesel plant has been installed to provide electricăi energy. Funds have not, however, been provided for the necessary operators for this plant. It has recently been placed in operation by sacrificing funds needed for other purposes. At Shiprock we have installed a complicated gas-driven generating unit using gas piped from the Rattlesnake lease. Unless experienced operators are provided for this paint it may be expected to go out of commission any day

This is the item for general agency administration throughout the entire Indian field service. We support approximately 60 field stations with this appropriation. There is a net increase of $338,970 in the item.

RELIEF FOR UNEMPLOYABLE INDIANS

The principal item of increase is $125,000 for relief for unemployable Indians-old people, blind people, cripples, people that cannot perform any type of manual labor, and we have got to see that they are taken care of.

Mr. JOHNSON. How do you take care of them? Do you pay them a pension or a certain amount monthly or quarterly, or do you just feed them?

Mr. DODD. No; principally we buy food at wholesale prices on Government contracts and dole that out to them monthly or semimonthly.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. How do you take care of those supplies?
Mr. DODD. We have an appropriation of about $250,000.
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Where do you get the $250,000?

Mr. DODD. We get it out of this appropriation, and, in addition, we are asking for an increase of $125,000 in this appropriation. Mr. FITZPATRICK. I see.

Mr. JOHNSON. How much would that be altogether, added to the other $250,000?

Mr. DODD. $375,000.

Mr. JOHNSON. You have $250,000 now?

Mr. DODD. We have that in the base of this estimate at the present time.

Mr. O'NEAL. Do the children aid their parents in support, or is there any such a law among the Indians, such as we have in some of the States?

Mr. DODD. Where a child has money to his credit, some portion of that money may be available for family expenses, where the child is living at home. We attempt, however, to conserve the child's money, so that when that child becomes of age he or she will have something to start out on in the development of his home life.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. The other $125,000 you are trying to spend will come out of this appropriation that is authorized at this time. Where do you get that money-from what part of your appropriation?

Mr. DODD. We have held it back from our amount that is usable for salaries, traveling expenses, and other items coming up during the course of the year, principally from what we needed to pay salaries. Mr. FITZPATRICK. You will have sufficient to pay your salaries and take care of that end of it, too, will you not?

Mr. DODD. No; not until we get a deficiency appropriation. Mr. RICH. Did you get any funds from relief or from any other source?

Mr. DODD. Yes; but not in this present year. We had a balance of about $142,000 of a rehabilitation grant we thought we would have to meet our relief needs during the last winter. That money was withdrawn.

Mr. JOHNSON. You think this amount you are asking for is sufficient to take care of all your old people who need assistance?

Mr. DODD. Not quite. Our real minimum needs, as we estimated to the Budget, required an increase of about $200,000.

COST OF AGENCY ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES

Mr. FITZPATRICK. What part of that $2,375,000 that was spent last year went for administrative purposes?

Mr. DODD. $1,453,405 is for salaries.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. That was over 50 percent of the total amount? Mr. DODD. Yes, sir.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. That went for relief?

Mr. DODD. Do you want to know how much of this appropriation went for relief?

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I want to know how much of this appropriation that you spent last year, $2,375,000, counting the deficiency that you had in there, went for administration purposes, and how much cash you distributed?

Mr. DODD. $250,000 was provided for relief, and the rest is for agency administration expenses. Those expenses cover salaries, fuel, oil, power, and water charges, telephone and telegraph service, purchase of office equipment and supplies, and all of the other things that go into maintaining an office.

Mr. JOHNSON. This is not relief, as I understand it; this is for maintaining the agency.

Mr. DODD. Yes; but we pay out of that about $250,000 a year for subsistence and clothing for those old people.

Mr. JOHNSON. That is what I understand.

Mr. O'NEAL. How much cash is actually distributed under this item compared to the amount that is spent for administration, or what it cost to distribute it.