1959-12-01 Char-Koosta News

              Roy Porter
1103 Louisiana Avenue Libby, Montana-
char-koosta
PUBLISHED BY CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES, FLATHEAD AGENCY, MONT.
Happy New Year
Your writer has again weathered the storm of public opinions, expressions, and even confusion. Despite this storm of human resources I am wishing every reader a Merry Christmas and a successful New Year.
Walter M. McDonald
Vol. 4 — No. 1
December 1959
Industrial Development Specialist Visits Flathead Reservation
Mr. Tom St.Clair, Industrial Development specialist, out of the Portland Area Office, was on the Flathead the second week in December accompanied by Mr. Reuben Fuhrer, former Relocation Officer of this area who is now Mr. St. Clair's Assistant. Mr. St.Clair has been a busy man covering the five western states surveying the needs for Industry on Indian Reservations. This is not an easy job, many other areas need Industry. Also, in that respect the Industrial Corporation or Companies become "fussy" and want the best location which takes in man power, freight rates, etc. Mr. St.Clair has been on the Flathead enough times to know our needs and facilities. At the present time Mr. St.Clair has a party interested in setting up an up-to-date saw mill in the Arlee vicinity for the purpose of making studdings. If this becomes a reality, Arlee will be revived with small industry.
Mr. St.Clair is well enough informed on our conditions and channels to sell timber, that outside sources of timber also will be the basis for this saw mill to operate, and since Mr. St.Clair is a representative of the Bureau of Indian Affairs the employment at this mill will have an unusual aspect of employment— our Indians will be recognized.
Other visitors on the Reservation, the first week in December, were Mr. Shank -ler representing the Secretary of the Interior and Mr. Clyde W. Pensoneau, Land Management out of the office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. These two men were here on a very controversial issue which probably stemmed as a result of correspondence made by your writer to our Montana Congressional Delegation on the sale of timber on individual and heirship allotment. The contents of the correspondence was why the allottee cannot cut or sell their timber after the first cut is made? The law says the residual stand goes to the allottee under the supervision of the Indian Forestry Department.
On December 1, 1959, along with the two gentlemen, a field trip was arranged in order that first hand information might be gained by going out on to various allotments where the issue could be made a sample. Supt. Chas. Spencer, Assistant Area Director Milton Johnson, Area Forester Nick Welter, Chief Forester of the Reservation Paul Clements,
Assistant Forester Joe Jackson and your writer made the trip. Several important problems came up in the discussion, the important question was—has the Tribe tried to purchase these allottments under the Tribal purchase program? That was easy to answer. Some of the land probably doesn't block in, on the other hand the allottee probably doesn't want to sell the land but is interested in selling the timber. This being the first time representatives of the Secretary of the Interior's office have really got on the timbered allotment issue, no doubt we will soon have some recommendations. However your writer made the same statements in the field that day as were in the correspondence. The tour also included a look at some of our Christmas tree cutting areas and I might say the group was disappointed at the precautions taken in the care of a valuable resource. Also discussions were held on the re-inventory of our timber which is a must as we do not really know what we have on this Reservation.
Balloting Cancelled On Amendment 2
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
Flathead Indian Agency Dixon, Montana
Members of the Flathead Tribe To: Members of the Flathead Tribe From: Charles S. Spencer, Supt. Subject: Proposed Amendment Election
A proposed amendment of Article 2, the membership of the constitution, and Article 8, the land provision, will not be voted on today because section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act and Article 10 of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes require that elections on amendments to the Constitution must be called in advance by the Secretary of the Interior.
It was hoped that the Secretary would be in a position to call the election in sufficient time to permit the tribal members to vote on December 12. However, the Secretary has not yet called the election on the two proposed amendments. When the Secretary issues the election order, the Superintendent, in conjunction with the Tribal Officials shall set the date for the election on the amendments and tribal members will be advised as to the date of the election in order that they may cast their vote.
Charles S. Spencer Superintendent
Hot Springs Corporate Enterprise Is Self-Supporting Institution
By Tom Pablo, Manager
One of the important subjects, both pro and con, in our Tribal Government, has been the Bathhouse, doing business as the Camas Hot Springs.
I will quote figures taken from Audit Reports, 1949 to date, with the hope, that they will be of interest to our Tribal Members.
$410,364.92 is the amount the Bathhouse cost. $118,300.88 is the amount of unencumbered funds derived from Bathhouse income and transferred to the U. S. Treasury, to be applied against the cost of building. $231,039.64 is the amount paid
out in salaries, and as "Industry on Our Reservation" at present, is a very important subject, the amount is considerable.
I talked to, or should say, was talked to!, by a Tribal Member, who was under the impression, that the Bathhouse was not, and never was self-supporting. I have tried to enlighten anyone of the same opinion. The Bathhouse has always been self-supporting, and is also making quite a dent in the Initial Cost to the Tribes, as the total figure in Unencumbered funds, and Salaries is $349,340.52.