HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY Papers of NATHANIEL DAVIS Despatch no. 69, UNCLASSIFIED Fabruary 16, 1949, San José, Costa Rica American Embassy, Page want to the agrioultural School at Zamorana, llonduras.
On periodic visits to the reservation members of the Commission settle disputes between individuals and tribes; listen to complaints; and, when necessary, gather information to place before the central authori.
ties in connection with matters requiring their atten tion. The Commission representa the Indians before the courts and its engineer membars advise and at times supervise the improvement of trails, construction of irrigation ditches, and the like. The Commission has also made some progress in reviving interest among the Indians in simple handicrafts such as the weaving of cotton cloth, pottery, brick Making and wood working. amall saw mill is in course of construction.
The Ministry of Education, ably represented on the Comuni ssion by Mr. Chaverri, has taken special pains with the selection of teachers interested in and qualified for work among the Indians. This is important, since considerable enthusiasm for the work in hand is required to offset a natural reluctance to accept the isolation and primitive and rugged life on the reservation. Despite its desire to develop a public health program the Comais.
sion has not yet succeeded in interesting any properly qualified medical practitioners.
Hy journey through the Indian country provided a Welcome opportunity to see a facet of Costa Rica little known abroad, and to tow Costa Ricans fron personal knowladge. It was stimulating to observe the evident sincerity of the members of the Commission in discharging their duties and the appreciation of the Indians for what is being done for them after years of neglect. Without the initiative of the Commission that neglect very probably would have continued indefinitely.
Respectfully yours, Nathaniel Davis Enclosures. Diary Photographs File no. 123. Davis NPDavis: mjp UNCLASSIFIED