The allotment of funds by the Office of Indian
Affairs to put to work, beginning April 1. 150
Alaska Indians under the Emergency Conservation
Work system is timely, indeed. Employment of
Indians in the Territory through use of funds pro
vided by Congress to meet the unemployment emer
gency h.s been slow to come, in fact, a great deal
slower than was justified by conditions that pre
vailed among them. It has seemed that not in every
instance have those in charge of the funds, the
Alaska Division of the Indian Service, been fully
appreciative of the basic reasons for the allotments
of Public Works funds made to them. And until
now there never has been any allotment made
from the CCC, or as it is known in the Territory,
ECW, funds by the Office of Indian Affairs, although
a large sum was given it for the entire country
a year ago.
Due to that fact, there has been some privation
among local Indians that could have been averted
had even a small amount of money been diverted
to the Alaska Division of the Service. It is gratify
ing that action has been taken, even though it is
so tardy. There should be no delay in organizing
ECW crews from the Indian population, and they
should be put to work as soon after April 1, as
is possibit.
% -
FIRE PROTECTION COVERS 55 PER
CENT FOREST LAND.
Approximately 223,000,000 acres of State and
private forest or potential forest lauds were rer
ported by the States as being under some form of
organized protection from fire last year, according
to the United States Forest Service. The acreage
protected is 55 per cent of the total forest area
classed as needing protection.
