We offer for the record the following justification for this item: STATISTICAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1918. $382 Indian money, proceeds of labor (school earnings) expended. 1 The per capita cost is computed on the average attendance for the entire fiscal year in compliance with the act of May 25, 1918 (40 Stat. L. 565). Superintendent's estimate of absolute needs for 1920: Support Repairs and improvements_ Total Requested in proposed bill for 1920: Support and education of 700 Indian pupils at the Indian School, Riverside, Cal.; and superintendent's salary. Repairs and improvements_ Total $142, 600 15, 000 157, 600 142, 600 15,000 157, 600 The sum of $142,600 for the support of Sherman Institute, Riverside, Cal., will provide for 700 pupils at $200 per capita in addition to the superintendent's salary. The amount requested for repairs and improvements, $15,000, which is the same as for last year, will be needed for the proper upkeep of the school plant, comprising 60 buildings, the lighting and heating, sewer and water systems, 2 pumping plants, and ice plant. Authority is requested to purchase land and water rights, the title to which is to be held in the United States, not to exceed $20,000, from "Indian Moneys, Proceeds of Labor, Sherman Institute." Additional farm land is required at this school at a cost of $20,000. Forty acres are now occupied by buildings and lawn. There is a school farm of 100 acres 5 miles distant from the school plant. At present the school is renting from six different parties 245 acres for a vegetable garden and other general farming purposes, as the land belonging to the school is not sufficient for its needs. The rented land, being scattered, can not be handled as advantageously as could a compact farm near the school. Because of certain sleeping porches that have been added to the dormitories of that school we can increase the attendance by at least 20 pupils, and we would like to have authority to enroll 700 pupils at that school. We are also asking authority to expend $20,000 of the school funds for the purchase of additional lands. The superintendent is now leasing a considerable acreage of land at that school on which to grow vegetables and other crops for the school, and inasmuch as he has saved this money as a result of Indian labor at that school we would like to invest that money in additional lands instead of renting the lands. It seems like a good business proposition, the superintendent has urged it, and we very much approve of his recommendation. Mr. HASTINGS. Of course, that would be held in the name of the United States as trustee for the Indians? Mr. MERITT. The title would be in the United States. Mr. HASTINGS. You say the title will be held in the United States. Well, this is to be paid for out of Indian moneys? Mr. MERITT. We do not consider the proceeds of the labor of the nonreservation schools as Indian moneys in the sense that the funds belong to the tribes, because that money was produced under the direction of the superintendent by Indian boys who are there attending school. They get the benefit of their schooling and they are furnished clothing and board. Mr. HASTINGS. And they are supported by the appropriation from Congress and the school is supported by appropriation by Congress, therefore this money should accrue to the benefit of the United States. Mr. TILLMAN. You consider that United States money instead of Indian money? Mr. MERITT. Yes, sir. The next item reads: For reclamation and maintenance charge on Yuma allotments, $131,564.94, to remain available until expended and to be reimbursed from the sale of surplus lands or from other funds that may be available, in accordance with the provisions of the act of March 3, 1911 (Thirty-sixth Statutes at Large, page one thousand and sixty-three). In support of this item we submit the following justification: Irrigating allotments, Yuma Reservation, Cal. (reimbursable). Fiscal year ending June 30, 1919: Amount appropriated Fiscal year ended June 30, 1918: Amount appropriated Amount expended____ Analysis of expenditures: United States Reclamation Service, for construction, operation, and $15,000 15,000 15, 000 15,000 maintenance charges-- Indian tribe, Yuma. Number of Indians, 833. Area of reservation, 33,771 acres. Area of irrigable land under project, 8,000 acres. Area of irrigable land cultivated by Indians, 1,318 acres. Area of irrigable land under constructed works, 4,318. Area actually irrigated, 4,318 acres. Area of irrigable land cultivated by lessees, 3 000 acres. Cost of construction to June 30, 1918, $234,764.32. Cost of operation, maintenance, and miscellaneous to June 30, 1918, $12,432. Average value of irrigated land per acre, $200. Average annual precipitation, 3 inches. Source of water supply, Colorado River. Market for products, general; good. Distance from railroad, railroad through project. Water rights for this land were purchased from the Reclamation Service under the provisions of the act of March 3, 1911 (36 Stat., 1063) at a total cost of $444,818. So far payments aggregating $258.16 have been made. It is the desire of the Reclamation Service that the balance of this charge be paid during the next fiscal year, or that in any event payment be made of a sum which will bring the total payments up to the amount which would be due on the basis of full settlements within a 10-year period in order that the fund available for reclamation work may be augmented as largely as possible. The sum which is requested will bring the payments up to the amount due in 1920 on the 10-year basis. It is desired to relieve the Reclamation Service fund as much as practicable. The Indians of this reservation are becoming good farmers, and full use is being made of the irrigated lands. Mr. SNYDER. What page is that justification on? Mr. MERITT. Page 52. I may say that the Reclamation Service has already constructed this project, and we are paying for it on a 20-year basis. The Reclamation Service now wishes to bring its finances on a 10-year basis, and we are endeavoring to meet their wishes. There is no question about the Government being reimbursed for this money. The land is very valuable indeed and the Indians are making good use of the irrigated lands. The next item reads: For support and education of one hundred Indian pupils at the Fort Bidwell Indian School, California, including pay of superintendent, $24,000; for general repairs and improvements, $3,500; in all, $27,500. We offer for the record the following justification: Indian School, Fort Bidwell, Cal. Fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, amount appropriated__. Fiscal year ended June 30, 1918: Amount appropriated Amount expended____ Unexpended balance___. Analysis of expenditures: Repair of buildings $3,500.00 3,500.00 3, 471. 71 28.29 3, 471. 71 STATISTICAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1919. Value of agricultural products Value of other school products Indian money, proceeds of labor (school earnings) expended. 98 $184 1 $253 3,099 200 $3,740 $6, 307 $3,314 Support and education of 100 Indian pupils at the Indian school, 24,000 The sum of $24,000 for support of Fort Bidwell School, Cal., includes the salaries of employees, subsistence, and clothing and the cost of supplies for academic and industrial training of 100 Indian pupils at the rate of $225 per capita.. The sum of $3,500 is to cover needed general repairs such as roofing, flooring, and painting, to the 25 old frame buildings of this plant. The next item reads: For support and education of one hundred Indian pupils, at the Greenvile Indian School, California, including pay of superintendent, $24,000; for general repairs and improvements, including developing and installation of water supply, $5,000; for purchase of dairy cows and farming implements, $1,200; in all, $30,200. 1 The per capita cost is computed on the average attendance for the entire fiscal year in compliance with the act of May 25, 1918 (40 Stat. L., 565). 2 2,200 acres are used for pasture. |