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Problem of Indian Administration

the national government to help solve what legally may be a national problem but actually is of vital concern to the state.

Oklahoma, which has evidenced a great desire to get control or possession of Indian property, has evidenced little tendency to protect the Indians or to provide the requisite developmental work. Many Indians in eastern Oklahoma who have been released from national supervision, are suffering from lack of suitable developmental work, especially in such fundamentals as health, schooling, and economic instruction. Oklahoma, despite its enormous wealth and prosperity, is storing up great future difficulties for itself by neglecting the social welfare of its rural population both white and Indian, but especially Indian. The situation there offers great opportunities for the departments of social science in its state university and for its agricultural college to furnish real technical leadership in bringing the state abreast of states such as lowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the work for rural populations. The question may be raised whether the people in the northwestern part of the state are fully awake to the conditions in the eastern portions, especially the hill country in the southeast. Many white persons and some mixed bloods in this eastern section are vigorously advocating the removal of restrictions from the full bloods of the Five Civilized Tribes. Any such action would greatly increase the social liabilities of the state and would result promptly in the dissipation of the present resources of these Indians. The national government should oppose the removal of restrictions until the state of Oklahoma has shown as much interest in the social welfare of its Indians as it has shown in securing control of their property.[1]

The Question of Taxation. Any program for the gradual withdrawal of the national government from its function of administering Indian affairs and the transfer of this function to state and local governments is complicated by the question of the taxation of Indian property, especially land and other real property. Most of the property of restricted Indians under national supervision is exempt from taxation. The fact that many Indians pay no direct state and county property taxes is advanced as a reason why the state and local governments should perform no service for the

  1. For comment on conditions in Oklahoma, see Schmeckebier, pp. 138-42.