Speech #710018841

I should like to read part of the opinion of the solicitor on that point. This is the memorandum that comes to me from the Director of the Census: Since the solicitor rendered the opinion referred to. citizenship has been conferred upon all noncitizen Indians born In the United States by the act of June 2. 1924. which provided: " That all noncitizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be. and they hereby are. declared to be citizens of the United States: Provided. That the granting of such citizenship shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of any Indian to tribal or other property." The bureau assumes that as a result of this legislation there is at the present time only a very negligible number of Indians In the United States who are not citizens. Consequently. if the principles set forth In the solicitors opinion are followedthat Is. that Indians who are citizens. although they may or may not own or be eligible to own land or other property which is exempt from taxation by the Federal laws relating to Indians. should be excluded from the classification of Indians not taxed within the meaning of the Constitutionthe remaining number of Indians who may possibly be so classified will be too small to affect the apportionment of congressional representation. Then he goes on with certain recommendations as to the taking of the census.