The Chemawa American, January 01, 1915, Page 5, Image 5

THE
CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
With the purpose of increasing the efficiency of teachers in the Indian
Service, there were held during the year six institutes or summer schools
in different sections of the country—Oklahoma, South Dakota, California
Wisconsin, Oregon, and New Mexico. At these institutes courses of
instructions were outlined, emphasizing industrial subjects.
With regard to health conditions, the Commissioner calls attention to
the fact that at the close of the fiscal year 1913 there were fifty hospitals
with a combined capacity of 1,400 patients, and six new hospitals under
construction, to care for a population of three hundred thousand with a
high percentage of tuberculosis and trachoma. Out of 181,000 Indians
on reservations, there were examined last year 61,201, and it was learne
that tuberculosis was present in 8,000 cases and trachoma in 12,000 It
is estimated that there are 25,000 suffering with tuberculosis and 35,000
afflicted with trachoma. From the $300,000 appropriated by the last
Congress, there was made available $100,000 for hospital purposes be­
sides direct appropriations for a sanitarium in the Choctaw Nation,
Oklahoma, and one at Red Lake or Leech Lake and on the bond du
I ac Reservation, Minnesota, also on the Rosebud, Fine Ridge, and
Cheyenne Reservations in South Dakota. Plans have been prepared for
the building of seven small hospitals at a cost of from $12,000 to $15,000
each on the reservations where the need of medical attention has been
most keenly felt. The work for the eradication of trachoma has been
vigorously pushed during the year. The field has been divided into five
districts and an expert assigned to each.
Since his assumption of office, the Commissioner says that lie has
been impressed with the idea.that many of the natural resources of Indian
reservations which have been exploited to the profit of the white man.
might better be developed for the financial benefit of the Indians. He
finds this particularly true of the grazing lands, believing that there is
no more lucrative industrial opportunity open to Indians having grazing
lands than to discontinue the grazing-leasing and grazing-permit system,
and in its place have them engage in the stock-raising business them,
selves. With this end in view, he instituted a plan for creating tribal herds
on those reservations having large areas of grazing lands, and also dur­
ing the year expended nearly a million dollars in the purchase of well-
bred male animals for the improvement of live stock belonging to the
Indians.
. .
At its last session, and through the effort of Commissioner Sells, .lie
Congress appropriated $725,000 for encouraging industry and self-
support among the Indians, being the largest appropriation ever obtained
for this purpose. A comprehensive plan has been formulated by the
Commissioner for maximum benefits.
On reservations where the lands are more suitable for agricultural