228 OUR FEDERAL LANDS 



at its best and worst, a common heritage that seems 

 always to accompany the development of our great 

 natural resources. The task of the administrator 

 under these conditions will never be an easy one. 



"To assimilate the Indians involves their educa- 

 tion, health, and employment. The Government has 

 taken the lead in these particulars and has expended 

 millions for such purposes. Where Indians have 

 gained great wealth through oil discoveries or other- 

 wise, the problem differs widely from dependence 

 upon agricultural pursuits. In recent years, for the 

 first time, Federal agencies have fathered, with some 

 signal successes, a movement to arouse all agricul- 

 tural Indians to self support. 



"By an act of Congress of 1924 all Indians are 

 citizens of the United States. Whether the Indians 

 take advantage of political rights will depend upon 

 their willingness and ability to abide by the laws of 

 the several States. This in turn involves the educa- 

 tion of Indians and whites in common schools, the 

 use of common hospital facilities, and the payment 

 of taxes by the Indians upon the property now ex- 

 empt from Federal and State taxation." 



