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Umax Powerlook 2100XL, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 11,575,392 bytesAgency at Sacaton. Last year seed had to be planted three or four times; grapevines were dying; and it is a matter of record and observation that that land is practically ruined. I know there are many theories as to what the water will do under certain circumstances, but there is recorded evidence. Senator Curtis. How deep are those wells? Mr. Marten. The water level is about 60 feet, but the depth of the well is, I think, 200 feet. Senator Curtis. You say there is alkali in this water, and that it is injurious to the land? Mr. Marten. Yes, sir. Senator Curtis. Your plan would be to use the surface water, which is not alkaline? Mr. Marten. The river water. Senator Curtis. Which is not alkaline? Mr. Marten. Which is much less alkaline in character than the wells; and contains vast quantities of valuable fertilizing elements that overcome what alkalinity there is in the water. Senator Sutherland. If you have an abundant flow, it will wash the alkali out? Mr. Marten. To some extent; some of the alkali would be washed out. With the use of river water entirely, there is no question but that the land would be perpetually fertile. Senator Sutherland. That is what I wished to suggest, that the river water would absorb some of the alkali. Mr. Marten. Yes, sir. Senator Page. How many Indians are affected by this change of plan? Mr. Marten. There are 4,000 Indians in the tribe and 800 get a dubious benefit from the wells already under construction. Therefore there would be 3,200 which have received no benefit whatever, but the total population would be benefited very greatly by the change from the well system to a reservoir. Senator Page. How many are really deprived of a livelihood because of this condition? Mr. Marten. Three thousand two hundred are more or less deprived of a livelihood, because they are all chiefly engaged in agriculture. Senator Curtis. These Indians were self-supporting before the water rights were taken away from them and had never called upon the Government for aid of any kind or character? Mr. Marten. That is correct. Senator Sutherland. They were engaged in agriculture? Senator Curtis. Yes. Senator Page. Now, they are reduced to poverty and want? Mr. Marten. Yes, sir. Senator Sutherland. I do not quite understand the situation with reference to this reservoir already in existence. Is that a reservoir constructed by the Government? Mr. Marten. Yes, sir; by the Reclamation Service. Senator Sutherland. Under the reclamation act? Mr. Marten. Yes, sir. Senator Sutherland. And the water rights carried by the reservoir have been appropriated by white farmers