them have safe and satisfactory toilets for the children. The school gymnasium began last year has not yet been fully completed. It has a cheap paper roof badly put on which will soon have to be renewed. The only equipment on hand is for basket ball, in which the Indian parents are much interested, for they come miles to see a match game. The outdoor playground also is lacking in equipment.

The San Xavier mission school was visited on the 8th of September. The school property is worn but serviceable. The toilet arrangements for the children, however, are not satisfactory. They consist of inadequate and insanitary outhouses that are located too far from the dormitories in winter. It is pertinent to state here that the field matron reported two cases of typhoid fever above the school on the Big Horn River, and the children should all receive the typhoid inoculation. It is considered nowadays that a death from typhoid fever is a case of criminal carelessness on the part of those having responsibility for the health conditions, which responsibility rests, it is presumed, on the department.

Only a few children had reported at this school but more were expected after the closing of the fairs. It was said the number of children in this neighborhood grows constantly smaller, for what cause no reason could be given. It was evident to me that the children are the object of much solicitude from those who have them in charge.

THE TRIBAL HERD.

There was some difficulty in getting the figures on the tribal herd, some of which have not been obtained yet, those, for instance, of the number of cattle remaining after the shipments last fall. It appears that the number of cattle on the range at the beginning of winter is not known. About 3,200 calves were branded last year and only 368 this year.

Last year I reported to the department under dates of August 16 and 27, in connection with the Blackfeet and Crow tribal herds, that there had been several years of drought in Montana and there was not enough feed on the ranges to carry the cattle through the winter; that outside stockmen were shipping their cattle out of the country, some to market and the breeding stock to places where cheap food could be found; that the previous shipment from the Blackfeet Reservation brought $15.50 per 100 pounds; that the Crow and Blackfeet herds should be cut down to the number that could be saved by the feed then on hand; that advantage should be taken of the high market at once lest the rush of shipments cause the market to slump. This advice was ignored or acted upon too late, with the result that there was a winter loss which many people estimate at 4,500 head— the superintendent estimates 3,000 head. Taking the smaller figure, at $60 a head, the loss to the Crow fund amounts to $180,000 at the least calculation and was caused by the mismanagement of the department after receiving the information (letters of August 16 and 27, 1919) of the conditions in time to avoid most of it.

This loss tends to support the assertion of the Crow Indians that the department is not competent to manage successfully their tribal herd. They claim that the lessees have a rental to pay, in one case of $75,000, for their range, as well as a State tax on their property, yet they have made money and become rich in a series of years.

While the Crow herd pays no grass rental or State tax, yet it pays almost no dividends. I recommend the herd be sold and the pasture rented. Had this been done before last year a loss of $180,000 would have been converted into a gain of $75,000. The Crows complain very bitterly over this loss, more especially since no one can be held accountable under the present system.

THE OFFICE.

The Indians told me that the agency people always seemed to be too busy to give them the time necessary to properly transact their business; that while the superintendent saw every one who called, he gave each but a few minutes. If his petition is refused, the Indian feels that his request has received short consideration, and he goes away with resentment toward the office; he wants courtesy and deliberation and is entitled to have them. If the system of decentralization used by Supt. John Buntin, of the Rosebud Agency, were put in force, there would be more time both for the superintendent and clerks, and the feeling of the Indian toward the office would improve. As it is, he often comes long distances and spends $30 to get a check for $25. At the Rosebud Agency the Indian seldom goes to the main office. He collects his own rent from the lessees and needs the intervention of the office only when the lessee refuses to pay or when the lease is to be renewed.

COUNCIL.

A number of Indians signified their desire for a semiformal council, which was held in the superintendent's office building. The remarks were taken down by a stenographer. The speakers represented most of the districts of the reservation and spoke in public with great moderation, but showed their bitterness privately.

The Indians feel there has been great mismanagement of the irrigation fund, as well as of the tribal herd; that $200,000 of their money has been appropriated for irrigation without their consent; that large amounts of money have been turned into the tribal fund from lease of grazing privileges, sale of cattle, etc., and they are told that there is no money to make the per capita payment they desire. They want this payment to settle their debts to the traders, without whose assistance they say many Crows last winter would have starved to death, and now these traders can not give them further credit for next winter. The crops of the season are good, but many lost their teams last winter and could not put in their crops and will be in want again. So they ask an itemized accounting of their fund, which they can not get from the bureau, and fear either the department has not kept their account properly, and so can not give it, or else the bureau is covering something up. It is believed that they are entitled to such an accounting, and therefore I recommend that it be given them. Much solicitude was expressed over their old and helpless, who should be helped this winter with bedding, clothing, and an adequate ration.

Complaint is made also of some of the employees at the agency. They say the superintendent knows about them, but can not get rid of them. It is believed that where great dissatisfaction is felt over

an employee, even though the employee is a good person, yet if he causes great friction for any cause, temperamental or otherwise, he should be changed.

A very bitter complaint is made that although the law passed last spring creating a commission for allotment of surplus land, the commission, whose members have been appointed, is doing nothing, awaiting the convenience of one member to get in his harvest. If his harvest is so important, another person should be appointed in his place, but the whole Crow Tribe should not be compelled to set its interests aside for one member's convenience. All of this seems to be very reasonable to an outsider. Respectfully submitted.

Hon. GEORGE VAUX, Jr.,

HUGH L. SCOTT,

Member Board of Indian Commissioners.

Chairman Board of Indian Commissioners.

APPENDIX F.

REPORT ON THE BLACKFEET INDIAN AGENCY, MONT.,
BY HUGH L. SCOTT.

BLACKFEET INDIAN AGENCY, Browning, Mont., September 27, 1920.

SIR: I arrived at the Blackfeet Agency September 20. This is the most run-down and neglected agency of any yet visited. As reported last year, there have been seven superintendents in four years. The climate is very severe in this region and comforts common elsewhere are denied here by the department and most every employee is anxious to get away. No one wants these underpaid positions, and they see others in civil life much better paid for the same class of work and naturally go where they can better themselves. Their places are usually taken by people who do not expect to stay. The Indian Service as a whole seems to be retrograding and its old employees are filled with resentment because no effort is being made to better their condition. Members of Congress point out that they can do nothing if the department does not ask for relief.

Attention is especially invited to the pay recently granted the chief clerk, whose salary until October 1, 1920, is $1,200, his salary after October 1 will be $1,300, an increase of but $100, to cover a $25 expense for a bond of $25,000 as special disbursing agent, with much greater responsibility than when he acted as chief clerk. This inadequate pay can be remedied without application to Congress, and it seems highly unfair to add such a labor and responsibility without a proportionate addition in salary.

As pointed out last year, the water supply of the agency consists of one hand pump, from which many women must carry their domestic supply often quite a distance during Montana blizzards. This has been reported to the department for at least four years, and now a fifth winter is at hand with nothing done to alleviate this condition, which could be remedied for a small amount of money.

INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

This reservation joins the Canadian boundary, about 45 miles north of the agency, and across which much liquor is being smuggled. Mr. Wilson, the superintendent, has been very active in arresting these smugglers, but the prosecuting officers are reported as being very inefficient in handling these cases before the courts. Ten men were caught with liquor in their possession and indicted, but only one of them was convicted. The only good thing about this traffic is the high price of the liquor, which puts it out of the reach of the Indians. Either Browning or Kalispell would be a good station for a liquor agent to take care of both the Blackfeet and Flathead Reservations, and both need his services.

CUT BANK BOARDING SCHOOL.

The Cut Bank boarding school was inspected September 21, in company with the superintendent. It is very much run down and its condition is but little different from that reported last year. Seventy-six children were reported present of the 130 pupils expected. Steps were being taken by the superintendent to have the absentees brought in.

It was observed at many of these boarding schools that the department sets the dates for the various Indian fairs. It would be much better to permit the superintendent to set these dates, for in some cases they have been set during harvest time and, as all Indians want to go to fairs, it is seldom they remain at home until the harvest. is completed. In other cases the dates are set after the opening of school and the children do not go to school until the fair is over, unless dragged away by the police.

year.

Almost nothing at this school appeared to be in order. The buildings were out of repair in many ways, panes of glass were out, the beds in the boys' dormitory were dirty, many sheets were worn and torn and it was reported that new ones could not be obtained. The sanitary arrangements were archaic and dangerous, the dining room was full of flies, the equipment for the tables insufficient, and much tin was being used instead of chinaware. The mangle reported last year as worn out was still in evidence, likewise the laundry boiler, then reported as "35 years old and dangerous," a relic brought from Fort Shaw. There was a new principal, the third within a The grounds were still full of trash, as reported last year. The number of teachers was below the complement and there was no head matron. The children had very little milk to drink, they looked as though they had sore eyes, appeared unhealthy, and not properly clothed for cold weather. An eye, ear, and throat specialist was engaged in examining the eyes and operating on adenoids. Among 30 children in the school 27 cases of trachoma were found. There were more cases of lameness than are usually seen, and to which attention was directed in the hope that an operation would cure some of them. The whole appearance of the school was run down and neglected. One of the visiting party remarked that this "was not a boarding school but a boarding house for children and a poor one at that."

About the only commendable things noticed were the repair of the well, reported last year as about to cave in, some painting about the buildings, some iron ceilings put up, and the winter coal, although of poor quality, being hauled from the railway to the school.

The heating expense could be reduced by putting in a central plant, and power and light could be easily provided by harnessing Cut Bank Creek, which flows through the agency. There is no indoor playroom or gymnasium, which is especially necessary in this high latitude of long winters.

THE MISSION SCHOOL.

The school of the Roman Catholic mission on Badger Creek was visited with the superintendent September 22. It is called the Mission of the Holy Family. There was a fine irrigated garden that provides vegetables for the children, not all of whom had reported at the school. Those that were there looked bright and happy. The school seemed comfortable and those in authority seemed interested in the children's welfare.

DAY SCHOOLS.

The day school, 15 miles from Heart Butte, seemed unusually good. At noon the children were being given a hearty meal of well-cooked food that was both appetizing and nourishing. The children seemed to be doing well.

OLD INDIANS.

The Heart Butte district, where most of the full-bloods live, was visited with the superintendent September 22. Here are most of the blind and helpless Indians. They had some food but it was scanty, and some of them draw an insufficient ration of 12 pounds of meat a month together with a little flour, beans, and coffee. These old and blind people are utterly unable to make a living and those like them in every civilized community are taken care of. Their ration of 12 pounds of meat a month is very inadequate and to subsist upon this alone is but little more than semistarvation and tends to make the person an easy prey to every disease. I attribute the small number of old Indians now alive at the various northern agencies to this grudging policy of relief which allows only the strongest to survive.

As reported many times, there have been three years of drought in this district, followed by a winter of phenomenal length and severity. Many horses starved to death on the range last winter. Because of the lack of horses little hay was put up and not much land was plowed, and consequently these Indians are nearly as bad off now as they were last year. Notwithstanding the fact there has been more rain this year the Indians were not in a position to take advantage of the improved growing conditions. The old and helpless are going to suffer this winter for lack of clothing and bedding unless it is provided.

It is gratifying to learn from the daily press that Commissioner Sells declares he is going to provide these Indians with food. He will not provide this for them for any length of time, however, unless he