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 OF THE INTERIOR}}}}

To Indian Agents and School Superintendents in charge of Agencie:

The attention of the Office has been called to the fact that many licensed traders are very negligent as to the way in which their stores are kept. Some lack of order might be condoned, but it is reported that many stores are dirty even to filthiness. Such a condition of affairs need not be tolerated, and improvement in that respect must be insisted on.The office is not so inexperienced as to suppose that traders open stores among Indians from philanthropic motives. Nevertheless a trader has a great influence among the Indians with whom he has constant dealing and who are often dependent upon him, and there are not a few instances in which the trader has exerted this influence for the welfare of his customers as well as for his own profit.A well-kept store, tidy in appearance, where the goods, especially eatables, are handled in a cleanly way, with due regard to ordinary hygiene, and where exact business methods prevail is a civilizing influence among Indians, while disorder, slovenliness, slipshod ways, and dirt are demoralizing.You will please examine into the way in which the traders under your supervision conduct their stores, how their goods, particularly edible goods, are handled, stored, and given out, and see to it that in these respects, as well in respect of weights, prices, and account-keeping, the business is properly conducted. If any trader, after due notice, fails to come up to these requirements you will report him to this office.In connection with this investigation, please give particular attention