Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton announced today approval of a recommendation made by Commissioner of Indian Affairs Glenn L. Emmons for transfer of the Department’s function of approving contracts between attorneys and Indian tribes. Commissioner Emmons recommended that the function be shifted from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the Office of the Solicitor of the Department.
The transfer will be effected as soon as the necessary order has been developed and formally approved by the Secretary.
Congress has required by law approval of such contracts by the Secretary of the Interior. In recent years the Commissioner of Indian Affairs has been performing this function under a delegation of authority.
