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resulting problems through general taxation, whereas they might have been more quickly and more cheaply solved by a policy of leaving the Indians in possession of a sufficient amount of their property to supply the foundation for economic stability.
In some jurisdictions where Indian property has been subjected to the full weight of state and county taxes, it is questionable whether the Indians have actually been placed on a plane of equality with the whites with respect to the services and benefits accruing from the state and local governments. The giving of real governmental service to Indians is often still regarded as a function of the national government. The states are ready to take over the assets but not the liabilities.
The Problem Before the Nation and the States. The real problem before the statesmen in the national and the state governments can be summarized somewhat as follows:
- What constructive social services are necessary to develop the Indians to the level of self support according to a reasonable minimum standard?
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How can this necessary service best be rendered?
- By the national government?
- By the state and local governments ?
- By private agencies, cooperating with the governmental agencies?
- By a cooperative program worked out jointly by the national, state, and local authorities, with or without the cooperation of private agencies?
- How can the costs of the necessary work be best apportioned between the state and local governments?
- What part, if any, of these costs can be assessed against the Indians with due recognition of the value of benefits and due consideration of their capacity to pay?
- If the Indians are to pay any of the costs, what form of taxation is best adapted to meet the special economic and social conditions of the Indians?
The present survey has been concerned primarily with the first of these questions, the governmental service that is needed to develop the Indians to self support according at least to a minimum standard of health and decency.