the benefit of the Indians, in the purchase of seeds, implements, and other articles to aid them in their agricultural and other industrial pursuits.

The matter of making collections due under reimbursable agreements is being given careful attention. Where the Indian has money to his credit and is able to pay, the superintendent has authority to insist on payment, while in other cases where the account is delinquent and the Indian is without means, an extension of time is granted, additional credit being extended in some cases where it is necessary to enable the Indian to put in a crop. Collections have been good, and at several agencies the number of accounts has been reduced materially. The beneficiaries have been enabled to get a start and in many instances no longer require assistance from reimbursable funds. Forty per cent of the amount expended for individuals Indians has been repaid. The balance must not be considered delinquent as it is payable in installments which are not due. The tribal herds established from funds of this character in previous years have proven profitable, and are of themselves a guaranty of payment. It is the intention to eventually place this stock among the individual Indians, which can be done at a less price under this plan than would be possible if stock were to be purchased for them in the open market.

New regulations governing the handling of reimbursable funds were promulgated during the year, and a new system of reimbursable accounting installed. A special supervisor is now visiting the different reservations, going over reimbursable matters with the superintendents, with special reference to the use being made of these funds and their collections.

INDIVIDUAL INDIAN MONEYS.

In furtherance of the plan adopted several years ago under the "Declaration of policy" referred to in previous reports, having in view the gradual emancipation of the Indians from governmental control, the disbursement of individual Indian funds belonging to both adults and minors has been governed by more liberal principles. Competency for this purpose was determined on a less stringent basis, and if an adult Indian was reasonably competent he was given unrestricted control of his funds, which affords him experience in the management of his own affairs along practical business lines. The funds of minors have been authorized for their own benefit, such as the development of their allotments, and medical treatment, the purchase of stock (marked with the minor's brand), special schooling, etc. In some cases upon being appointed legal guardian and furnishing sufficient bond, the minor's funds were turned over -INT 1919-VOL 2-5

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to the parent, who thereby became responsible to the county court for its proper expenditure.

During the past fiscal year over $10,000,000 individual Indian funds were either paid directly to the Indians or expended for their benefit, with encouraging results in most cases.

ANNUITY AND PER CAPITA PAYMENTS.

In conformity with the policy inaugurated several years ago, direct cash annuity and per capita payment during the year have been confined to those required by law to be made in this manner, in all other cases the money being deposited in bank to the credit of the participants, subject to expenditure under the individual Indian money regulations. The principal distribution during the year was that of $200,000 among the Indians of the Uintah and Ouray jurisdiction, in Utah, from funds appropriated by Congress out of the $3,000,000 "Ute judgment fund" on deposit in the United States Treasury to the credit of these Indians, a substantial proportion of which was used in getting water on the Indian allotments under the plan approved by the department in 1915, with the view of saving the water rights, as explained elsewhere in this report.

SEGREGATION OF TRIBAL FUNDS.

Section 28 of the act of May 25, 1918 (40 Stat. L., 591), authorized the segregation of tribal funds, under certain conditions, as follows:

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*

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That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to withdraw from the United States Treasury and segregate the common, or community funds of any Indian tribe which are, or may hereafter be, held in trust by the United States, and which are susceptible of segregation, so as to credit an equal share to each and every recognized member of the tribe except those whose pro rata shares have already been withdrawn under existing law. Provided, however, That the funds of any tribe shall not be segregated until the final rolls of said tribe are complete: And provided further, That the foregoing shall not apply to the funds of the Five Civilized Tribes, or the Osage Tribe of Indians, in the State of Oklahoma, but the funds of such tribes and individual members thereof shall be deposited in the banks of Oklahoma or in the United States Treasury and may be secured by the deposit of United States bonds. Particular attention is invited to the proviso, which reads:

That the funds of any tribe shall not be segregated until the final rolls of said tribe are complete.

As there was then no authority of law for closing the rolls on many of the reservations, the above proviso had the effect of nullifying the authority conferred in the main portion of the item; therefore, it was necessary to obtain legislative authority to close the rolls, before further action could be taken with respect to the segregation of tribal funds. This authority is embodied in the Indian appropria

tion act for the fiscal year 1920 (Public, No. 3, 66th Cong.), and reads as follows:

That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized, wherever in his discretion such action would be for the best interest of the Indians, to cause a final roll to be made of the membership of any Indian tribe; such rolls shall contain the ages and quantum of Indian blood, when approved by the said Secretary, are hereby declared to constitute the legal membership of the respective tribes for the purpose of segregating the tribal funds as provided in section 28 of the Indian appropriation act approved May 25, 1918 (Fortieth Statutes at Large, pp. 591 and 592), and shall be conclusive both as to ages and quantum of Indian blood: Provided, That the foregoing shall not apply to the Five Civilized Tribes, or to the Osage Tribe of Indians, or to the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, or the Menominee Indians of Wisconsin.

Pursuant thereto, steps have been taken looking toward the preparation of final rolls on several of the reservations, which, when approved, will furnish the basis for the segregation of the tribal funds of the Indians residing thereon. It is also expected that this action will likewise be taken on a number of other reservations during the coming year.

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INDIANS IN NEW YORK.

About 5,000 Indians, descendants of various tribes formerly com prising the Iroquois League, still remain in New York. They own "reservations" aggregating something over 80,000 acres, scattered from Long Island on the east to Lake Erie on the west and from the Canadian border on the north to the Pennsylvania line on the south. Unusual problems frequently arise in connection with the affairs of these people, superinduced largely by the mooted question of jurisdiction, State or Federal, over them. Heretofore the jurisdiction exercised by the State has been quite extensive. It has maintained some 33 schools for the education of Indian youth; has constructed and maintained highways through the reservations; has provided agents to supervise their internal affairs; has, in a measure, looked after their physical welfare and has endeavored to exercise limited police powers over them. Supervision by the Federal Government has been confined largely to the fulfillment of certain early treaty obligations, such as the distribution per capita of small annuities, including a few yards of gingham and sheeting. One physician located at Gowanda, N. Y., and one special agent located at Salamanca, N. Y., are the only two local Federal employees directly concerned in the administration of affairs relating to the New York Indians.

Complicated legal questions frequently arise involving land titles within these reservations and as the "title" to each reservation rests on an entirely different basis the several reservations present individual problems peculiar within themselves. Recent court decisions

have but tended to strengthen the opinion previously entertained here that the State is without power to deal with the tribal property rights of these people, particularly those relating to their land matters; Congress alone having the power to do this.

The peculiar status of these people leads but to the conclusion that they are practically the wards of both the Nation and the State. A conference was held at Syracuse, N. Y., on March 6 and 7 of this year for the purpose of considering the New York Indian problem and working out some effective solution of the various difficulties connected with their affairs. This conference was composed largely of State officials, representatives from the various Indian tribes, independent philanthropic associations, friends of the Indians, and others interested in their welfare. This resulted in a request on the governor of the State that the matter be placed before the State legislative assembly. Later that body authorized the appointment of a commission from the State to take up with Congress and departments of the Federal Government the question of jurisdiction over these Indians and the exercise of administrative control over their affairs. The commission not yet having visited this city, just what action will flow from this remains to be seen.

THE SEMINOLES OF FLORIDA.

An Indian Service field man of wide experience, whose degree of Indian blood gives him a fortunate approach to the character and needs of this isolated band, has given faithful study and labor to their interests during the year, and his work is showing encouraging results. The principal difficulty to be overcome is the inherited antagonism of the Indians toward the Government. Under a policy of sympathetic and kindly treatment, they are gradually changing and have begun to realize the good intentions of the Government, and to take advantage of the opportunities extended in their behalf.

Besides 100,000 acres set aside for them by the State, these Indians own approximately 26,000 acres of land, part of it purchased for them by the Federal Government and the remainder set aside by Executive order. A station is being established on a tract of land set aside for them by the Government, about 75 miles southeast of Fort Myers, Fla., as the nucleus of an industrial center. The Indians, who live in small bands scattered over a wide area of swampy land, will be offered day labor at reasonable wages and thus encouraged to contribute in a self-helpful way to the development of a community having demonstration and other industrial advantages. The tract is now being fenced to provide, among other purposes, an inclosure for a small herd of cattle the purchase of which is under consideration, so that whenever an Indian shows sufficient individual enterprise, he will be sold a few head of such stock on the reimbursable plan; later

it is proposed to make the same arrangement for the sale of hogs. The Indians who have hitherto been averse to educational overtures, will thus be drawn by regular association at the industrial center into frequent contact with the Government's influence and guidance, and this should awaken their confidence and lead them to accept the benefits of schooling for their children which it is desired to furnish at an early date. The health and sanitary conditions among these Indians, as elsewhere, are of primary importance in developing their industrial and economic progress, and, therefore, an exhaustive health survey among the Seminoles by one of the most experienced physicians in the service is under way with the view of working out a practical and comprehensive program for their advancement. When this shall have been accomplished the way will be opened for the effective prosecution of work for their welfare along other lines.

ALABAMA INDIANS IN TEXAS.

In conformity with the purpose announced in my last annual report of extending a helping hand to these and other "forgotten Indians," in order that they shall have greater opportunities toward civilization, Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of a school building for this particular tribe, which is now in course of construction and will be completed in time for the next school year. This building will accommodate all of the children of school age in this band.

HOMELESS INDIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

The condition of Indians not on reservations in the State of California has given this office great concern during the past few years. Conflicting reports as to their health, poverty, and moral conditions have been received, and to secure dependable information concerning these conditions two inspecting officers have been detailed to make a thorough survey and study of the homeless nonreservation California Indians and their needs.

During the course of their study of conditions the inspectors are required to give specific information as follows:

1. The names of all homeless nonreservation Indians, age, marital condition, family, locality where living, tribe, degree of Indian blood, and number of children of school age in each family.

2. The land situation near each group of Indians, general character of soil, etc., approximate selling price.

and

3. Attitude of whites in the neighborhood of each group of Indians, especially whether Indian children are admitted or welcomed in white schools, whether any effort is made by State and county school authorities to get these children into white Echools.

4. Your opinion, and reasons therefor, as to wisdom of the Government providing schools in localities where Indians are sufficiently grouped to afford an average attend