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with Will Rogers before the world knew he was great. I had the friendship of another great Indian, the author of the American Federal Reserve Banking System, R. L. Owen. And then, because of my political affiliations, I campaigned with an Indian who became Vice-President of the United States, Charles, C. Curtis. The first really good white-collar job I ever had was when another great Indian, Ben's predecessor - Dick Locke, made me attorney for the Choctaw Indian nation. That of course took me to Washington. There I never ceased to be my friends and I trust God that I will never cease to be theirs.

Of course, we all appreciate the fine charity being shown by the American people in their contributions of food and clothing for the Navajo Indians. This should not blind us to the fact that the Indian people of New Mexico are not admitted to citizenship in the state... the Indians do not have any rights under our Social Security System. It is rather appalling to note that in these times of prosperity, approximately 27,000 New Mexico citizens, not Indians, are receiving Social Security benefits. 

{{Indent}} We are astounded also by the official advertisement of sales for taxes. A great percentage of the property of the most distressed people of the state, not Indians, is being advertised for sale for taxes. The truth is that the people in the lower brackets cannot meet the high cost of food and pay taxes. We of New Mexico regret that the attention to the deplorable situation of the Navajos had to be forced out in public by the charitable people outside of New Mexico rather than the responsible officials of the state. 

We note with pleasure that the Congress is contemplating the appropriation of $2,000,000.00 for the relief of the Indians in New Mexico and Arizona. This would be more praise-worthy if the responsible officials of New Mexico, and New Mexico's delegation in Congress had given its attention to the plight of the Indians and other unfortunate people of the state before their condition attracted the attention of the people of the nation. 

I am all in favor of the charity that is being offered to the Indians, but I still contend that the state and National Government could as well afford to give officially to our own unfortunate a portion of the billions that they are giving away abroad. In the past our charities abroad have been used to build up ideologies whose purpose it is to destroy the liberty of America. That would certainly not be the if we would give more attention to our unfortunate people at home. 
BEN DWIGHT:
I want to thank you sincerely, Gen. Hurley, for taking time out from your business to come and give us that inspirational message. 
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