Mr. SCRUGHAM. The reason I ask the question is because the Board of Commissioners of Douglas County, Nev., has requested me to introduce a special bill to relieve the county, or to give them a certain amount of money in lieu of the taxes on lands which otherwise would have to pay taxes. I did not understand that there was any precedent for that, but, apparenly, I am in error about it. I would like to know if there have been any other cases of that kind. Mr. GREENWOOD. The lands we are discussing here are in a little different status, inasmuch as they were originally State lands. They were conveyed to the United States for the use of the Indians, but the State reserved the right to tax the land. Mr. SCRUGHAM. And they are now taxing it? Mr. GREENWOOD. Yes, sir. Mr. SCRUGHAM. That was a condition in the original deed whereby the land was conveyed by the State to the Federal Government? Mr. GREENWOOD. Yes, sir. Mr. LEAVY. You might make this further distinction, that land might be taxed where the fee had passed from the Federal Government, but practically all of the Indian lands are lands from which the Federal Government has never parted with the fee title. Mr. GREENWOOD. Yes, sir; that is true. Mr. LEAVY. I have had the same request from my own district, where county commissioners and other county officials have asked for special legislation for that purpose. The Government nowhere pays taxes on lands from which it has never parted with the fee title. Mr. GREENWOOD. None that I know of in the Indian Service. FLATHEAD INDIAN TRIBE, MONTANA Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. On page 274, tribal funds, in connection with the Flathead Reservation. Mr. GREENWOOD. The following justification is submitted for the record: Appropriation, 1940_. Base for 1941... $24,000 24.000 24,000 The Flathead Reservation is occupied by approximately 3.051 Indians of the Confederated Flathead Tribes and contains 345,000 acres of allotted and 350,000 acres of tribal lands. These Indians have valuable timber resources. although at the present time the annual income from timber cutting, grazing, and other sources has fallen off considerably. The balance to the credit of the tribes at present is $19,082. Income during the past year, however, was $13,746, and it is expected that a sum sufficient to cover the amount requested will be received during the current fiscal year. The estimate for 1941 consists of the following items: (a) No Government hospital is maintained on this reservation. For a number of years provision has been made for hospitalizing members of the tribe through a contract with the Holy Family Mission Hospital at St. Ignacius. Prior to 1938 the amount set aside for this purpose was approximately $10,000 annually. This authorization was increased from $10,000 to $14,000 in 1938. (b) The amount for extension work covers the salaries of one farm agent and three farm aides. For several years this reservation had no extension personnel. For 1937, at the request of the tribe, $6,000 was provided, and a similar amount has been requested for each succeeding year. (c) The appropriation for the present year includes $4,000 for burial expenses. In the past, one undertaker had been performing this service, but he experienced difficulty in obtaining reimbursement. Efforts have been made to provide coffins, but there are other expenses, such as embalming and opening graves. When a death occurs in the hospital the authorities want the body removed immediately, and often the relatives of the deceased are many miles away. The amount of this estimate has been approved by the tribal council. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. There seems to be no change in the appropriation requested. Mr. GREENWOOD. No; this is another tribe, Mr. Chairman, that is paying part of the expenses of the administration of the reservation. Of that $24,000, $14,000 is for hospitalization of Indians; $6,000 for extension work, and $4,000 for aid to indigent Indians. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. That is paid out of tribal funds? Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. So the Indians there are not evading their responsibility in this connection. Mr. GREENWOOD. Not in this particular case. Of course, they would like to be relieved of the hospitalization item, particularly. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. There might be some merit to the suggestion, for the reason that other tribes are permitted to send their Indians to the hospital free, and yet this particular tribe is bearing the expense? Mr. GREENWOOD. This item of $14,000 is not for the operation of a hospital; we have no hospital on the reservation. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. I see. Mr. LEAVY. That is to pay hospitalization charges to a private hospital? Mr. GREENWOOD. That is correct. Mr. LEAVY. You have never asked for a hospital for the Flathead Indian Reservation? Mr. GREENWOOD. No; not to my knowledge. Mr. LEAVY. The needs for hospitalization you do not feel warrant the establishment of a hospital? Mr. GREENWOOD. Well, we have private hospitals available nearby. Mr. LEAVY. You think that the service is sufficiently complete and it would cost less than it would if you had an Indian hospital on the reservation? Mr. GREENWOOD. I think it probably would cost more to operate a hospital to provide the same service than the amount we are spending now from tribal funds for hospitalization. Mr. LEAVY. Of course, it would seem that possibly the Indians would be in position, in some degree, to complain that they were not given the same advantages that Indians on other reservations, such as the Colville, where you do have a hospital. Mr. GREENWOOD. That is the point they make, that they are being discriminated against by being required to pay for hospitalization where other tribes are given that service by the Government. CARSON, NEV., INDIAN TRIBE Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. On page 275, Carson, Nev. Mr. GREENWOOD. The following justification is submitted for the record: The items under the Carson jurisdiction were inserted in the 1938 appropriation act by the House Appropriations Committee upon the request of the several tribes involved, presented through representatives of the Indian Office. The appropriations were requested for making loans to Indians, and for such other purposes as might be decided upon by the tribes themselves. During the fiscal year 1938, $4,410 of the Pyramid Lake money was used for the purchase of farm and other equipment for tribal use, and $163 was used for the purchase of supplies and materials. Practically all of the small appropriation of Walker River funds was used in the purchase of miscellaneous supplies. No expenditures have been made from the Summit Lake funds. The appropriations practically exhausted the balances remaining to the credit of the several tribes involved. Since no requests have been received from the tribes to continue the unexpended balances available, the items are omitted from the 1941 estimates. WESTERN SHOSHONE INDIAN TRIBE, NEVADA Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. For the Western Shoshones, there seems to be no change. Mr. GREENWOOD. The following justification is submitted for the record: Appropriation, 1940_ Total estimate, 1941. $3,000 3,000 This estimate is presented in accordance with a resolution adopted October 10, 1939, by the business council of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley or Western Shoshone Reservation, which reads as follows: "Be it resolved, By the business council of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation, as provided in article VI, section 1, paragraph g of the constitution and bylaws of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, that the superintendent is instructed to make application to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the allotment of $3,000 from our tribal funds for the fiscal year 1941, to be used for miscellaneous expenditures of tribal benefit as indicated by the business council." An identical amount was appropriated, in compliance with the tribes' request, for the current fiscal year. The superintendent of the Western Shoshone Agency reports that the council will probably authorize the expenditure of the amount of this estimate for the operation of the tribal thresher and flour mill and for the relief of destitute members of the tribe. The balance to the credit of these Indians is $33,994 and their income during 1939 amounted to $3,837. CHEROKEE INDIAN TRIBE, NORTH CAROLINA Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. There seems to be no change in the item on 276, "Cherokees, North Carolina." Mr. GREENWOOD. No. The following justification is submitted for the record. Appropriation, 1940 Total estimate, 1941 $8,000 $8,000 The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians under the Cherokee Agency in North Carolina has to its credit approximately $202,600. During 1939, $10,831 was deposited to the credit of this group of Indians. This money is not used for administrative purposes. It is made available for the use of the Indians for miscellaneous reservation, industrial, and relief purposes as and when requested by the tribal council. Small salaries to the chief and assistant chief and members of the tribal council are paid from this fund. The reservation is located some 60 miles from Asheville, N. C., and adjoins the Great Smoky National Park. The greater portion of this reservation is of a mountainous character, with only small hillside clearances, and a few spots of valley land available for agricultural purposes. For a number of years the Indians found employment in the lumber industry conducted on the reservation. From this employment they obtained sufficient income for immediate needs. Most of the merchantable timber has been disposed of and the last timber operator has left the reservation. While numerous individuals will be able to provide subsistence through their own farming efforts, it will not be possible for any great number to engage in commercial agriculture. These Indians are progressive, and some members of the tribal council have been alert to the need for the development of community enterprises which will not only provide employment opportunities for some, but will result in annual accumulations to the tribal assets. We again state that expenditures from Cherokee funds, even though appropriated, are not used except upon the written request of the tribe expressed through its duly elected tribal council. We are requesting only the amount usually provided for the salaries of the councilmen and other expenses authorized by the council. SEMINOLE INDIAN TRIBE, OKLAHOMA Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. For the Seminoles, Oklahoma, $7,785 for reconstruction of the community house. Mr. GREENWOOD. The following justification is submitted for the record: Appropriation, 1940 Deduct nonrecurring and other items not required in 1941: Community house Total estimate, 1941--. $7,787 7,787 This item was inserted in the 1940 appropriation bill by the Senate committee upon request of the Seminole general council expressed through a formal resoIntion dated March 1, 1939. The appropriation represents the amount of the insurance collected following the destruction by fire of a tribal community building that was located on the site of the old Mekusukey Mission. Plans are now being considered for the construction of a new building, utilizing the foundation of the burned structure. It is expected that the work will be completed by June 30, 1940, and the item is therefore dropped from the estimates for 1941. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. It is proposed to eliminate that? Mr. GREENWOOD. Yes. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. Has that been completed? Mr. GREENWOOD. No; we have not commenced the construction yet, but we expect this money will cover it. Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. That will be sufficient to do the job? KLAMATH INDIAN TRIBE, OREGON Mr. JOHNSON of Oklahoma. On page 277 for the Klamaths, Oregon, provision is made for $93,760. Mr. GREENWOOD. Yes; the following justification is submitted for the record: Appropriation, 1940 Total estimate, 1941 $93, 760 93, 760 General.-The Klamath Reservation, in southern Oregon, is inhabited by approximately 1,100 Indians and contains 139,893 acres of allotted and 856,184 acres of tribal land. The reservation is heavily timbered and in normal times a considerable annual revenue is derived from timber sale contracts. The present balance to the credit of these Indians is approximately $226,800, exclusive of the balance in their judgment fund. Receipts during the past year were $474,981. Administrative expenses at Klamath have been defrayed almost entirely from tribal funds in the past. Aside from this authorization, there is an annual expenditure for administrative expenses in connection with timber sales. The current budget authority carried $49,340 for this work. The expenditures for the latter purpose are reimbursed to the Federal Treasury through deductions made to cover costs of timber operations. For several years these Indians endeavored to obtain funds to be used for the acquisition of livestock, implements, and other articles necessary to establish them in self-supporting enterprises. Because of the large annual expenditures for administrative purposes, it was not possible to set aside any large sum for industrial purposes. During the first session of the Seventy-fifth Congress, legislation was enacted authorizing the establishment of a revolving fund, and also the creation of a capital reserve fund. This act was approved August 28, 1937 (Public, No. 403, 75th Cong.). Section 1 thereof provides: "That the Secretary of the Interior shall cause to be established on the books of the Treasury, out of any unobligated tribal funds of the Indians of the Klamath Reservation in Oregon (hereinafter referred to as the Klamath Indians') on deposit in the Treasury of the United States, a capital reserve fund for said Klamath Indians. Such fund shall be created by setting aside the sum of $50,000 for the fiscal year 1937, and shall be augmented by additions of $50,000 for each fiscal year thereafter. Such fund shall be held in the Treasury of the United States and shall bear interest as provided by law. The interest upon such fund shall be used, insofar as it is sufficient, for the payment of the expenses of administration of the Klamath Indian Reservation in Oregon." Section 2, relating to the revolving loan fund, reads as follows: "That the Secretary of the Interior shall cause to be established on the books of the Treasury, out of any unobligated tribal funds of the Klamath Indians on deposit in the Treasury, a reimbursable loan fund from which loans may be made to enrolled Klamath Indians for industrial and agricultural assistance and the construction and improvement of homes (including the purchase of land and interests in land, building material, farming equipment, industrial equipment, trucks, livestock, feed, food, seed, tools, machinery, implements, household goods, bedding, clothing, or any other equipment or supplies necessary to enable such Indians to fit themselves for or to engage in farming, the livestock industry, or such other industrial or agricultural pursuits or avocations as will enable them to become self-supporting); for the educational advancement of such Indians; for financial assistance in cases of illness, death, or other emergency; for the maintenance and support of the aged, infirm, and incapacitated Klamath Indians; and for the repayment of reimbursable loans previously made to such Indians from tribal funds. For the establishment of such loan fund, the Secre tary of the Interior shall immediately set aside the unexpended balance of any funds heretofore appropriated or authorized to be used out of the tribal funds of the Klamath Indians for the establishment of reimbursable loan funds for industrial assistance or for any other purpose; and in addition thereto, out of any unobligated tribal funds, $100,000 shall be set aside for the fiscal year 1938 and $50,000 for each of the next 3 fiscal years." The foregoing section was amended by section 2 of the act of August 7, 1939 (Public, No. 325, 76th Cong.), which provided for the disposition of the judgment in the sum of $5,468,709.48 awarded to the Klamath Tribe by the Court of Claims for land and timber that had been taken by the United States without compensation to the Indians. Section 2 reads as follows: "That after the segregation provided for in section 1 hereof shall have been made, the remainder of such judgment fund, including interest, shall be available for expenditure subject to the following limitations and conditions: "(a) Three hundred thousand dollars shall be transferred to and added to the loan fund authorized by the act of August 28, 1937 (50 Stat. 872). After the fiscal year 1939 no further sums shall be transferred to and added to the loan fund authorized by said act from the unobligated tribal funds on deposit in the Treasury of the United States, and said act is hereby amended accordingly. "(b) Three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars for immediate payment in a lump sum of $1,500 to each adult unallotted Indian found to be entitled to payment in lieu of allotment, as authorized in the act of June 1, 1938 (52 Stat. 605) : Provided, That the amount due any minor under the provisions of said act |