72D CONGRESS 1st Session } SENATE { REPORT No. 166 BRIDGE ACROSS RED RIVER OF THE NORTH, MINN. AND N. DAK. FEBRUARY 4, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. VANDENBERG, from the Committee on Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 3132] The Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bil (S. 3132) to extend the times for the commencement and completion of the bridge of the county of Norman and the town and village of Halstad, in said county, in the State of Minnesota, and the county of Traill and the town of Herbig, in said county, in the State of North Dakota, across the Red River of the North on the boundary line between said States, have considered the same and report thereon with amendments and, as so amended, recommend that the bill do pass. The bill thus amended has the approval of the Departments of War and Agriculture, as will appear by the annexed communications, the amendments referred to therein having been incorporated in the bill as reported, and which are as follows: Page 1, line 5, after the word "approved", insert "July 1, 1922, and revived and reenacted by an act of Congress approved". Page 2, line 8, after the word "respectively", change the period to a comma. and add the following: "from March 3, 1932." WAR DEPARTMENT, January 27, 1932. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Commerce, United States Senate. So far as the interests committed to this department are concerned, I know of no objection to the favorable consideration of the accompanying bill (S. 3132), Seventy-second Congress, first session, to extend the times for the commencement and completion of the bridge of the county of Norman and the town and village of Halstad, in said county, in the State of Minnesota, and the county of Traill and the town of Herberg, in said county, in the State of North Dakota, across the Red River of the North on the boundary line between said States, if amended as indicated in red thereon. PATRICK J. HURLEY, Secretary of War. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Hon. HIRAM W. JOHNSON, Chairman Committee on Commerce, United States Senate. DEAR SENATOR: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of January 21, transmitting a copy of a bill (S. 3132) with the request that the committee be furnished with such suggestions touching its merits and the propriety of its passage as the department might deem appropriate. This bill proposes an extension of the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across the Red River of the North, authorized by act of Congress approved March 3, 1931, to be built by the county of Norman and the town and village of Halstad, in said county, State of Minnesota, and the county of Traill and the town of Herberg in said county, State of North Dakota, at or near the section line between sections 24 and 25, township 145 north, range 49 west, fifth principal meridian, on the boundary line between Minnesota and North Dakota. The location indicated for the proposed bridge is on the system of Federal-aid highways approved for the States of Minnesota and North Dakota. The bill does not specify any date from which the periods of extension shall run as it merely proposes to extend the times for commencing and completing the bridge, respectively. It is suggested that it would be advisable to insert a date from which the one and three year periods of extension shall run, which date logically should be March 3, 1932. Aside from the above suggestion the bill is without objection so far as this department is concerned and favorable action thereon is recommended. Sincerely, C. F. MARVIN, Acting Secretary. PER CAPITA PAYMENT TO CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF MIN NESOTA FEBRUARY 5, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. FRAZIER, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 225] The Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 225) providing for payment of $25 to each enrolled Chippewa Indian of Minnesota from the funds standing to their credit in the Treasury of the United States, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with a recommendation that the bill do pass with no amendment. The facts are fully set forth in the report of the House Committee on Indian Affairs (H. Rept. No. 193, 72d Cong., 1st sess.), which is appended hereto and made a part of this report. [House Report No. 193, Seventy-second Congress, first session] The Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R: 225) providing for payment of $50 to each enrolled Chippewa Indian of Minnesota from the funds standing to their credit in the Treasury of the United States, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass with the following amendments: On page 2, line 1, strike out "$50" and insert in lieu thereof "$25". "A bill providing for payment of $25 to each enrolled Chippewa Indian of Minnesota from the funds standing to their credit in the Treasury of the United States." The Chippewa Indians in Minnesota are in dire distress as the result of the existing economic depression, and it is the purpose of the bill now under consideration to make available to them a part of their tribal funds of which they are in great need. In view of the serious condition of the Indians, it is urged that prompt action be taken on the measure. The favorable report of the Secretary of the Interior is as follows: Hon. EDGAR HOWARD, Chairman Committee on Indian Affairs, House of Representatives. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In compliance with your request of December 15, 1931, for a report on H. R. 225, which is a bill providing for a per capita payment of $50 to enrolled Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, from the funds standing to their credit in the Treasury of the United States, I transmit herewith a memorandum on the subject that has been submitted by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. After a review of the proposed measure, I agree with the commissioner. In this connection, we are advised by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget that a $25 per capita payment would not be in conflict with the President's financial program. Very truly yours, RAY LYMAN WILBUR, Secretary. OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, This will refer to H. R. 225, a bill to authorize a $50 per capita payment to the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota from their tribal funds on deposit in the United States Treasury. This fund accrued under the act of January 14, 1889 (25 Stat. 642), and now amounts to approximately $2,586,980. With 16,000 Indians a $50 payment would require $800,000. Special legislation is necessary to authorize the payment because of the provision in the act that the money shall remain in the Treasury for 50 years from the completion of allotments and then be distributed in equal shares among the members of the tribe living at that time. Since 1916 eight payments have been made, aggregating approximately $6,675,714. The fund is practically complete and no material additions thereto can be expected. The superintendent in charge of the Consolidated Chippewa Agency, who has jurisdiction of all the Indians except those at Red Lake, had one of his employees make a thorough investigation of the various bands under his agency. It was found that a very serious situation exists. In normal times many of the Indians find work in the logging camps, and with the vegetables which they raise manage to get along. Most of the sawmills have discontinued operation. Even the sale of cordwood in which many Indians ordinarily engage can no longer be relied The wild rice and blueberry crops, important items in the support of the upon. Indians, were very short. The winter in the Chippewa country is long and severe. Many of the Indians have no work or money; and it is believed that a payment is necessary in order to provide them with funds for the necessities of life, and thus prevent hardship, privation, and distress. In concluding his report the superintendent states: "If ever a payment was needed, it is this winter." The Red Lake Agency reports similar conditions. However, a $50 payment would require nearly one-third of the amount now available which, as indicated above, is not likely to be increased. In our relief work this winter we are providing approximately $10 per month for the average family of two adults and three children, chiefly for subsistence. Under the circumstances, therefore, we believe that, including the shares of minor children, a $25 payment would be sufficient. Accordingly, it is suggested that the figures "$50" be changed to "$25". If thus amended I recommend enactment of the proposed legislation. O C. J. RHOADS, Commissioner. Mr. BROOKHART, from the Committee on Claims, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 2307] The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the bill (S. 2307) to provide for the settlement of damage claims arising from the construction of the Petrolia-Fort Worth gas-pipe line, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with the recommendation that the bill do pass without amendment. Under the terms of the bill the Secretary of the Navy is authorized to transmit to the General Accounting Office for payment, in accordance with the approved findings contained in the report rendered by Lieut. Ira P. Griffin, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy, to the Navy Department under date of July 29, 1921, all unpaid claims. for rights of way and damages to private property sustained in connection with the construction on behalf of the United States during the years 1918 and 1919, of a gas-pipe line extending from Petrolia to Fort Worth, Tex. The bill has the approval of the Navy and Commerce Departments, as will be seen from the following correspondence, which is appended hereto and made a part of this report. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 10, 1928. United States Senate, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: There is inclosed herewith a copy of a letter, together with a copy of a proposed bill, "To provide for the settlement of damage claims arising from the construction of the Petrolia-Fort Worth gas-pipe line,' this day forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, |