Section 68, R.S. § 2078, prohibited employees in Indian affairs from trading with Indians and made offenders liable to a penalty of $5,000 and removal from office.

Section 68a, act June 19, 1939, ch. 210, 53 Stat. 840, authorized Federal employees, including Indian Service employees, under rules and regulations of Secretary of the Interior to purchase from Indians and Indian organizations arts and crafts, or other products, services, or commodities, produced, rendered, owned, controlled, or furnished by Indians or Indian organizations, but prohibited employee purchases for purpose of engaging directly or indirectly in commercial selling, reselling, trading, or bartering of such purchases.