276 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BuU. 188 



Economically, the overall effect of trading post policy in maximizing 

 sales is to keep to a minimum the amount of liquid cash circulating in 

 the community. In this way the trading post is perpetuating a sort 

 of commodity and barter economy by eliminating capital and by 

 treating cash income as though it were scrip negotiable only for mer- 

 chandise at the store. In this scheme of operation it is not surprising 

 that a relief or railroad check is conceived by both Navahos and the 

 trader as little different from a due bill, to be paid out in merchandise 

 over a period of time (see "Direct Exchange," pp. 199-201). 



MAXIMUM COMMUNITY INCOME 



Since the beginnings of the Navaho trade it has been the historic 

 function of the trader to develop new and increased sources of income 

 for his clientele (cf. Sanders et al., 1953, p. 233; Underhill, 1956, 

 p. 181). The overall contribution of traders to the modem Navaho 

 economy has undoubtedly far outstripped that of Government pro- 

 grams and of other White agencies. Such diversified but regular 

 sources of Navaho income as lamb and wool sales, craft production, 

 railroad wages, and miemployment compensation have all come into 

 being through the initiative or intercession of traders. The trader's 

 stake in the Navaho economy is widely recognized, and is expressed in 

 a series of functions which were described in pp. 214-230. 



In addition to his officially sanctioned activities, Shonto's trader is 

 often able to act unofficially in such a way as to extend the benefits of 

 railroad work and unemployment compensation, as well as state wel- 

 fare, somewhat beyond their officially stipulated limits. In all of his 

 activities on behalf of community income the trader's essential motiva- 

 tion is more closely allied to that of his Navaho clientele than to the 

 stated objectives of the "Wliite agencies with and for which he is work- 

 ing. In these respects Shonto's trader feels and avers that he is merely 

 adapting the inflexible and unrealistic criteria of eligibility for em- 

 ployment and benefit programs to the special realities of Navaho life. 



Most traders take considerable liberties with their duties as claims 

 agents for the Railroad Retirement Board. At Shonto, age records 

 and information have been withheld and even falsified, allowing a 

 considerable nimiber of men both above and below the official age 

 limits to work on the railroad each year (see "Railroad Work," pp. 129- 

 133).^^ Other information potentially deterimental to employment, 

 such as police records and unsatisfactory work histories, is commonly 

 withheld not only from the Railroad Retirement Board but from all 

 other potential employers.^ ^ 



^ One Shonto man actually worked until he was 63 — 13 years over the current maxi- 

 mum age limit for track laborers. 



" One of the regular employees of Navajo National Monument once Informed the writer 

 that he had served 2 weeks in jail for having too many sheep, although this information 

 if officially divulged could have cost him his job. 



