Average salaries in Red Lake Indian School, Minn., capacity 75. [Payable from "Interest on Chippewas in Minnesota fund."] (Below is a résumé of the data furnished in Mr. Meritt's statement:) Mr. MERITT. It is very easy, Mr. Chairman, to make a general statement about the large number of Indian employees, but when we have the concrete facts before us in a statement that can not be refuted, it is a very good answer to make to those extravagant statements of Mr. Ballinger. The CHAIRMAN. Of course, the chairman had a broad view in mind when he suggested a reduction of 50 per cent of the employees, and it was not with any idea that where there was one superintendent he should be cut in two to force consolidation. The plan may be impracticable, but it at least appears sound in my judgment. Mr. HASTINGS. What do you think of the practicability of having one head agent for all these bands of Chippewas and then some subagents to look after the separate bands under the general jurisdiction of the head agent there? Mr. MERITT. We are working the administrative features out along that line so far as it is practicable. We have now one superintendent who has supervision not only of the Fond du Lac Indians, but of the Nett Lake Indians and the Vermillion Lake Indians. At Leech Lake agency we have a superintendent who is looking after the affairs not only of the Leech Lake Indians, but also of the Cass Lake Indians. The CHAIRMAN. If it will not interfere with the sequence of your remarks, since you have mentioned Fond du Lac, I would like to hear about that school for which we are appropriating and which is apparently out of existence. Mr. MERITT. I will be glad to do that a little bit later. Now, as to the alleged unnecessary employees among the Chippewa Indians. We have frequently heard that statement made, and on January 16, 1920, the Indian Office wrote each Chippewa superintendent an identical letter, which read as follows: JANUARY 16, 1920. There is transmitted herewith a copy of all positions authorized under your jurisdiction, taken from your salary list as it stands to-day. You should immediately go over this list and recommend for abolishment any and all positions which are not absolutely essential, and justify fully by position each of those which you recommend be retained. This information is of especial importance and your report must be in the office within 10 days from the date of this letters. Very truly, yours, E. B. MERITT, Assistant Commissioner. That letter was sent to each of the superintendents in the Chippewa country, and the reports from the superintendents showed that there were very few unnecessary employees. The CHAIRMAN. And that all of them were working for too little money? Mr. MERITT. Yes, sir. The employees in the Indian Service are working for salaries that are probably 50 per cent less than are being paid skilled laborers in the commercial world at this time. Mr. HASTINGS. I think that is a very conservative statement. Mr. MERITT. Mr. Chairman, while we hear a great deal of criticism about the Indian Service employees and what little good they are doing the Indians and while I hold no special brief for the Indian Service employees and have no desire to perpetuate the Indian Bureau a single day longer than is absolutely necessary. I think that if we look around this room to-day and see these educated Indians here, who are quite able to represent themselves before this committee, and remember the fact that only 50 years ago the Indians were roaming over the western prairies without any permanent home, I think that that evidence is within itself a tribute not only to the wisdom of Congress regarding Indian Affairs but it is also evidence that the Indian Bureau has been doing a good work to bring these Indians, within a period of 50 years, to the standard of civilization which they occupy to-day. The CHAIRMAN. The time for recess having arrived we will recess until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The committee thereupon adjourned. COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, The committee this day met, Mr. Homer P. Snyder (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen, a quorum of the committee being present, we will resume the hearing at this time, with Mr. Meritt as the witness. Before we begin, however, I desire to say it has come to my attention since last evening that there is a delegation here represented by an attorney who advises me that there has been an action started in the courts of Minnesota to determine who is the legal |