The Harlem News

INDIANS BEING ENROLLED FOR RELIEF WORK

150 NEEDY INDIANS TO BE GIVEN WORK UNDER EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PLAN.

PROPOSALS FOR BETTERMENT OF FORT BELKNAP RESERVATION INCLUDE NEW TELEPHONE LINES, GRADED ROADS, FOREST TRAILS

Enrollment of Indian labor at Fort Belknap reservation for emergency conservation projects began this week, the quota allotted this reservation being 150 men. The plan is similar to that in operation at other reforestation camps: wages of $30 per month and subsistence or $30 plus 60 cents per day in lieu of subsistence. Those in need will be given preference in the jobs. Workers must be 18 years of age or over and must pass the required physical examination.

The conservation camp for 150 men will be located in the Hays vicinity, according to present plans. This is selected as the most central location from which the major portion of the work to be undertaken may be reached. Smaller sub-camps will no doubt be necessary for short periods, stationed at various points near the work being done.

Lumber is readily available for the establishment of a camp at Hays, procurable from the government owned sawmill nearby. There is an adequate water supply at this point and other necessities for the establishment of a camp for 150 men are accessible at Hays.

In submitting to the government a list of projects advisable for improvement of communication and the general betterment of Fort Belknap reservation, the building of telephone lines was placed as first in importance by Agency officials. The completion of the Agency-Hays road and its continuation through Mission Canyon to Landusky comes second in importance. Should these projects be too great to include in the conservation program assigned this reservation, numerous secondary and the improvement of the recreational graded roads, forest roads and trails areas of the Little Rockies are recommended, while the establishment of lookout towers and cabins for a permanent forest guard headquarters is also suggested. The building of fences, the repair of those already built and the construction of storage reservoirs are also among the needs of the reservation that might be included in such a conservation program.

A decision of which projects shall be undertaken first will be made after the arrival of the production coordinator, who is expected at Fort Belknap shortly to make a survey of recommended works. Meanwhile estimates have been drawn up showing the importance of each project, the amount of work that would be required to complete the unit, as well as the estimated costs.

The repair of the old telephone lines would be a matter of great value to the reservation and would require about one month's labor of about 50 men, is the belief of those making the preliminary survey. The old system is in such poor condition that it is hardly 50 per cent efficient and calls for the installation of new poles, wires and insulators throughout. Should this work be undertaken, it is hoped that a metallic circuit be made between Harlem and the Agency, with ground circuit lines connecting the Agency and Hays, Hays and Lodge Pole, and Hays and Monument Peak, the latter lines being routed to follow the roadways. This project, it is estimated would cost about $5000.

Not only the reservation but this section of Montana in general would benefit by the carrying out of the major road project as proposed by Fort Belknap officials. The graded reservation road has been completed for 20 miles, with 23 miles of the distance from the Agency to Hays still to be done. The road from Hays to Lodge Pole would be included in this program, thus completing the two chief roads across the reservation, proving of immeasurable value for administrative purposes, forest protection, regulation of grazing and transportation in general. According to the estimate this would supply work for a crew of 70 for a period of about six or seven months at a cost of approximately $750 per mile or a total of $15,750.

To make the region in the mountainous sections more accessible for business and recreational purposes, many forest roads and trails are needed. Such roads do not need to be graded but should be made wide enough for trucks and automobiles. Bridges, culverts, straightening of sharp curves and widening in general of all such roads now established, would be required in this project. Chief in importance among such roads now on the reservation is the one through Mission Canyon leading to Landusky. The building of a better road and auxiliary trails thru the Little Rockies area, and the development of this region, especially the Mission Canyon and Wilson Park section, would prove a great boon to Northern Montana in supplying it with splendid recreational area. Such a project would serve as a key job, placing emphasis on the recreational possibilities of the Little Rockies.

providing many men at work on short notice,

clearing underbrush, developing springs,

building camp sites, picnic tables, etc.

for the benefit of the public. It is

estimated that forest roads could be

built at a cost of $750 per mile, trails

for $200 per mile and that the recrea-

tional areas could be developed for

about $10,000.

Efficient administration of the for-

estry activities on the reservation

would demand the establishment of a

permanent forest guard here, with look-

out towers, a permanent cabin as head-

quarters and several cabins for for-

estry workers in the field. Monument

Peak should be provided with a look-

out building and Eagle Child Butte with

an observation platform. This would

cost for labor, as estimated, $1,500.

supplying carpentry work for ten men

under a skilled workman.

Much of the work of the forestry

supervisor on Fort Belknap reserva-

tion has to do with grazing adminis-

tration and to better carry out such

work fencing could be materially im-

proved. Thirty-five miles of fence on

the east side is in very poor condition

and needs complete reconstruction,

while that on the west side is badly in

need of repairs, with ten miles needing

replacement. Water development on the

reservation would also be included in a

plan for betterment of grazing facili-

ties and for this purpose storage reser-

voirs should be built. Although it is

not likely that such a vast program as

the water development would be under-

taken under the 1933 program, it is

among the recommended works that

would

come under the conservation

plan.

Complete instructions are being await-

ed at the Agency but meanwhile the

enrolling of the 150 Indians for the

proposed emergency work is going for-

ward so that as soon as the work to be

started is designated, the men may be

assigned and work pushed to comple-

tion while the weather is suitable.