After careful consideration of a progress report submitted in person recently by T. B. Watters and Eugene G. Favell, management specialists working under Secretarial contract with the Klamath Indian Tribe of Oregon, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Wesley A. D'Ewart today expressed the opinion that amendment of the Klamath Termination Act (Public Law 587 of the 83rd Congress) would be premature at the present time.
"Until the appraisal of Klamath tribal resources is completed and tribal members exercise the option given them by the Act to withdraw from or remain in the Tribe,” Mr. D’Ewart said, "I do not believe it is possible to make an intelligent or well-informed decision on amendment of the statute. Once the appraisal is completed, probably in February 1957, we should be in a much better position than we are today to decide, first, whether any amendments are needed and, secondly, what form the amendments should take if they are required."
Mr. Watters and Mr. Favell, together with their staff forester, Earle C, Wilcox, met with Under Secretary Clarence A. Davis and other officials of the Department and the Indian Bureau for several days beginning May 15. During their visit to Washington they also reported on progress under P. L. 587 to the Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee.
